Fantasy custom build

FordGT · #1 03-11-2022, 03:25 PM

My friends and I were talking about having a custom guitar built by an established luthier but must be under 20k. We then had a “ Fantasy draft” . The top five in no order were: Kostal, Borges, Fay, Claxton , Wingert. We then tried to put them in order but the chaos that ensued made us give up. It was a fun night and proved that there are many great builders and no consensus!

nootis · #2 03-11-2022, 06:06 PM

Established Luthiers under 20k falls in the range of most established luthiers. There are dozens and dozens to choose from, and there are no wrong answers, only more guitars.

L20A · #3 03-11-2022, 06:22 PM

I am blessed with mine.
Not one of the most well known builders but WOW, what a great guitar.
I could not be happier.

Crosswind · #4 03-11-2022, 08:22 PM

Mine would be Claxton, Olson, Kim Walker, Somogyi, Wayne Henderson (different from the others).

The Bard Rocks · #5 03-11-2022, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FordGT

My friends and I were talking about having a custom guitar built by an established luthier but must be under 20k. We then had a “ Fantasy draft” . The top five in no order were: Kostal, Borges, Fay, Claxton , Wingert. We then tried to put them in order but the chaos that ensued made us give up. It was a fun night and proved that there are many great builders and no consensus!

I believe you are SOL on Borges, A year ago, he told me he retired. Unless he has changed his mind. That happens sometimes. The other 4 are outstanding, of course.

jaymarsch · #6 03-11-2022, 08:37 PM

Well, I have my custom Wingert so no argument with that pick. :-) You have a great draft class there.
My second pick is Sparky Kramer since I have one of his custom builds as well. The other 3 in my fantasy draft (no order) would be McConnell, Tippin, and EJ Henderson.
Best,
Jayne

islandguitar · #7 03-11-2022, 08:50 PM

I'm fortunate to have two guitars from what would be on a favorite list, both of whom are no longer with us: Tom Doerr (my commission) and Lance McCollum.
Several more I'd draft to the list:
Tippin, McConnell, Sands, Buendia, Kim Walker

rule18 · #8 03-11-2022, 08:55 PM

I'd add Drew Heinonen to that list.

FordGT · #9 03-11-2022, 08:57 PM

We discussed Walker, Somogyi, and Olsen but thought they were all over 20k

volman · #10 03-12-2022, 09:11 AM

Taran (Rory Dowling) fits the parameters, but I think he's quickly headed to the above $20k mark. Tom Sands is another one. I really like what I've heard from Buendia as well.

If price was no object, then McConnell would top the list for me.

islandguitar · #11 03-12-2022, 09:29 AM

Tom Sands is another one

Tom does a really fun Utube series on wood choices and his take on building. His personality and knowledge really shines in this series.

Wolfram · #12 03-12-2022, 09:42 AM

I'm afraid Kostal would have to fall off your list, unless you really wanted a basic build with no options; his base price now starts at $20,000.

I had also heard that Julius Borges was sadly no longer building - he is the only one on FordGT's list whose guitars I have not been lucky enough to experience.

But you're right - particularly under $20K there are many many fantastic builders with different aesthetic and tonal signatures. The real difficulty would be restricting it to just five - I've played / been lucky enough to own some amazing guitars over the years, and it would be really difficult to shortlist the five 'best'.

Cheers,
David