builders in the greater Los Angeles/San diego area?

[mercy]

Yes, thats it. I live as far east of downtown LA as a person can go but I can drive places. Ive had several guitars built and bought guitars sight unsean and have decided I want a new guitar but I want to hear what the builders guitars sound like. It seams that most builders sound kinda like Martins and Gibsonss sound like Gibsons, Taylors like Taylors etc.
I dont want to order thinking of a certain sound and it be something else as customs are expensive.
Anyway, know of any?

[PTL]

I believe that Kevin Ryan is in the So Cal area.

[lfoo6952]

Issac Jang is in LA. Kathy Wingert is in Rancho Palos Verde.

[Guitars44me]

Tim Luranc has begun solo building in his new home shop.

He retired from Taylor after being their #1 employee, the head of R.Taylor, and the Senior Repair Tech at the El Cajon campus.

He also helped a zillion stars as former head of artist relations. Who else has set up instruments for John Denver, and Prince? And ME, too??? Hahaha

Lots of others in this neck of the woods. I will stay tuned for more !

Cheers

Paul

[Don54]

I don't have any experience with his guitars, but Mark Angus usually has guitars available at The Guitar Shoppe in Laguna Beach.

[Mycroft]

Not sure if she is still taking orders, but, yeah, Kathy Wingert is as good as they come.

[colins]

Big plus one for Kathy Wingert in Rancho Palos Verde. Definitely not a Martin or Gibson sound.

And if you motor on down to Pauma Valley, Mike Joyce at Luthier's Collection represents a number of builders and typically has examples of their guitars available to play. He used to have build slots for them too, but I am not sure if that is still the case. If you arrange to visit Mike you can also A/B a whole bunch of luthier-built guitars.

If you want a nice drive in the other direction, Mike Baranik is at Templeton, about four hours north of LA. Fantastic area for a visit – great country, wineries etc. His guitars are not Martin or Gibson either but I don’t know if he is taking acoustic orders at the moment.

Kathy and Mike both have their own distinctive sound, which you can tweak with wood choices, top voicing etc.

[815C]

John S. Kinnard is in Fallbrook, but a bit outside of San Diego. The dreadnaught he built me in 2005 is the best guitar I've ever owned. He makes lots of different styles.

https://www.johnkinnard.com/

He making a lot of high end ukuleles now too --> http://www.kinnardukes.com/

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by 815C

John S. Kinnard is in Fallbrook, but a bit outside of San Diego. The dreadnaught he built me in 2005 is the best guitar I've ever owned. He makes lots of different styles.

https://www.johnkinnard.com/

He making a lot of high end ukuleles now too --> http://www.kinnardukes.com/

Not to be confused with John Kinnaird (different spelling) who is one of our AGF sponsors. This JK is in N. Carolina

I have heard nice things about the JK from Fallbrook

And I believe Michael? Cervantes is still making his NICE classicals in the Tijuana area. Not sure though..

Cheers

Paul

[Rolph]

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

Tim Luranc has begun solo building in his new home shop.

He retired from Taylor after being their #1 employee, the head of R.Taylor, and the Senior Repair Tech at the El Cajon campus.

He also helped a zillion stars as former head of artist relations. Who else has set up instruments for John Denver, and Prince? And ME, too??? Hahaha

Lots of others in this neck of the woods. I will stay tuned for more !

Cheers

Paul

John Denver passed away about 50 years ago. Relevance?

[mercy]

Good to know but all the builders listed I would place in the super expensive category. Anyone know of builders less expensive?

[Talk2Me]

Originally Posted by Rolph

John Denver passed away about 50 years ago. Relevance?

The experience (and years thereof) was the relevance. Unless you mean the relevance of JD being dead for 50 years (actually only 26 years this coming October). As to that you are correct, that part is irrelevant.