Best custom shop for a seven string?
- Thread starter joates2384
- Start date
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H8r
LOL, I'll toss Carvin in there in the mid-priced range. That Dragonburst Matt and I ping-ponged had some mojo I will admit.
alecisonfire
Well-Known Member
Didnt mean that as pompous, I was just trying to quantify my recommendations. I see quite a few posting in this thread things they may have never even seen in person, let alone spent any real time with.
alecisonfire
Well-Known Member
haha no dude i gotcha, wish i had that kinda exposure to quality guitars
i actually consulted you and your sherman knowledge a month or two back. slowly buy surely hiding cash away. emphasis on slowly
Right on. It's definitely commonplace on forums for folks to jump on bandwagons with "the cool hip new.." preference trends. I've always found it more advantageous talking to folks with actual extended playtime experience when I have a question about something in particular.
alecisonfire
Well-Known Member
I havent driven a ferrari either, but if someone asked me how to blow three hundred grand on a car, id mention the company. simply pointing out options to someone does not imply a full scale recommendation. Its just that: an option. The way Patrick presents himself on this board leads me to believe he is a quality dude and as such wouldnt market a shitty product. Call me an optimist, but just because i don't have the money to order one myself, doesnt mean i should assume he's not a talented luthier because i dont know any better
Absolutely, but with a question as broad and, IMO, unanswerable as "which custom is best" with no details, etc. theres no harm in pointing him towards the shops that have the rep.
hairychris
Hairy Old Bloke
Heh, well only 'customs' I've owned are Carvin and Blackmachine.
I don't own Carvins any more but that's for financial reasons mainly. They're fantastic instruments for more then the price, and relatively easy to pick up a used one to try out. They can source some fantastic timber, but not everyone likes the vibe. Still, as they're all CNCed the necks are consistant so you can see if you like them!
Blackmachine's a bit different. Not many people will ever have one, and they're built to a certain aesthetic that won't work for everyone. Heck, Doug carved the neck on my B7 to deliberately mimick Jackson 6 strings because I spent years playing Jacksons, but because it's all done by hand each guitar is different.
It's the same with most other small builders. Patrick's work has a similar vibe to it as Blackmachine but the feel will be different. The work I've seen from, especially, Mike Sherman is jaw dropping but I have no idea how it will play! I seriously pondered ordering one last year but the unknown aspect is one thing that has held me back (GBP/USD crash didn't help either!).
The OP's really got to have a very, very good idea of requirements before looking into custom builds, especially from independent builders - although a CS Jackson or ESP is still a Jackson or ESP with neck and body shapes similar to production models...
I don't own Carvins any more but that's for financial reasons mainly. They're fantastic instruments for more then the price, and relatively easy to pick up a used one to try out. They can source some fantastic timber, but not everyone likes the vibe. Still, as they're all CNCed the necks are consistant so you can see if you like them!
Blackmachine's a bit different. Not many people will ever have one, and they're built to a certain aesthetic that won't work for everyone. Heck, Doug carved the neck on my B7 to deliberately mimick Jackson 6 strings because I spent years playing Jacksons, but because it's all done by hand each guitar is different.
It's the same with most other small builders. Patrick's work has a similar vibe to it as Blackmachine but the feel will be different. The work I've seen from, especially, Mike Sherman is jaw dropping but I have no idea how it will play! I seriously pondered ordering one last year but the unknown aspect is one thing that has held me back (GBP/USD crash didn't help either!).
The OP's really got to have a very, very good idea of requirements before looking into custom builds, especially from independent builders - although a CS Jackson or ESP is still a Jackson or ESP with neck and body shapes similar to production models...
Jeroenofzo
Well-Known Member
I agree! However most of the guitars that sell worldwide (Include your blackmachine) are modeled after a Superstrat. Wich is a model all companies have.
caughtinamosh
SS.org-er
+1
You really do have to do your homework prior to ordering from a custom luthier. Consider your specs, how much you're willing to spend, the luthier's reputation, customer reviews...
I've dreamt about my custom many a time in a snooze-inducing Physics lesson, and I'm pretty that it'd be a built best suited to Mike Sherman or ONI. Due to the fact that it'd have fanned frets (24" - 28"), a high grade quilted maple top dyed purple with a glossy clear coat and Bare Knuckle Nailbombs, it makes sense that I'd ask either of these two luthiers to build it. Hufschmid/Blackmachine guitars, while I'm pretty sure are outstanding in their own right, are not about this vibe.
You really do have to do your homework prior to ordering from a custom luthier. Consider your specs, how much you're willing to spend, the luthier's reputation, customer reviews...
I've dreamt about my custom many a time in a snooze-inducing Physics lesson, and I'm pretty that it'd be a built best suited to Mike Sherman or ONI. Due to the fact that it'd have fanned frets (24" - 28"), a high grade quilted maple top dyed purple with a glossy clear coat and Bare Knuckle Nailbombs, it makes sense that I'd ask either of these two luthiers to build it. Hufschmid/Blackmachine guitars, while I'm pretty sure are outstanding in their own right, are not about this vibe.
hairychris
Hairy Old Bloke
I agree! However most of the guitars that sell worldwide (Include your blackmachine) are modeled after a Superstrat. Wich is a model all companies have.
It's not about being a superstrat. That's pretty much the default guitar shape whether you like it or not.
I'm more concerned about neck joint, neck carve, finish, bridge position, etc... the stuff that directly interacts with you when playing.
Add on to that wood choice, neck & body construction, electronics, other hardware, etc that affects the tone, well, I can guarantee that 'superstrats' built using the same woods by 2 different luthiers will feel and sound very different indeed.
My Blackmachine is epically resonant and defined, but they only get built with bolt-on necks and an oil finish, and trem isn't an option either. As CIAM says, if this isn't something that works you go elsewhere. I love it, but I can't say that anyone else will.
hufschmid
Banned
It's not about being a superstrat. That's pretty much the default guitar shape whether you like it or not.
I'm more concerned about neck joint, neck carve, finish, bridge position, etc... the stuff that directly interacts with you when playing.
Add on to that wood choice, neck & body construction, electronics, other hardware, etc that affects the tone, well, I can guarantee that 'superstrats' built using the same woods by 2 different luthiers will feel and sound very different indeed.
My Blackmachine is epically resonant and defined, but they only get built with bolt-on necks and an oil finish, and trem isn't an option either. As CIAM says, if this isn't something that works you go elsewhere. I love it, but I can't say that anyone else will.
well said man
i also love the way fender built a rounded over version of an ibanez RG, yet everybody must now call all of those guitars superstrats???
WTF
hairychris
Hairy Old Bloke
They'll build pretty much anything (to mixed reviews) but you still have to know exactly what you want to order.
sonofabias
Well-Known Member
Don't forget , there's a Suhr seven about to be made available again , though I've not had a chance to play one. I have played several of his sixes and as everyone knows , there some of he nicest customs being made.
Dumb thread, there is no 'best' that's subjective. There are many good luthiers but I choose Bernie Rico Jr because he's a great guy, builds an amazing guitar, his prices are low, and his build times are faster than almost anyone else.
LLink2411
Banned
HaloHat
Baritones
- Joined
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+1 and they have a no B.S., no questions asked 10 day money back policy. And they honor it. Yes I have first hand experience with them.
The rebuild, in which I changed almost everything from the first guitar which they finished in gloss instead of the matte satin I asked for, was absolutely sweet as could be and they never said one single word about my order completely changing.
And they have tops that are just incredible for the $. Not a huge choice of woods, but a good range and all are top quality of what they do offer.
Super fast build times too considering and if you are willing to pay a $100 upcharge they will have it done and shipped in less than 30 days.
Carvins are a steal for the most part. Browse their forums [Carvins corp site and the link to the Carvin Museum] and you will see guitar porn galore. Head stock choices, finish choices, bridge choices,, pick up route choices, fret board choices [ok I wish they had Bloodwood ha] neck and body wood choices and on and on.
If I could afford more... Hello, Bernie...
Epic bump of epicness?
