Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

[Gearjoneser]

How much would you pay for a bolt on guitar? Well, if you like strats, and only the best will do, the upper end boutique strats will make a believer outta you. Just don't make the mistake of trying one, then seeing the price tag.

My favorite, a Suhr Classic strat. Check out that neck!

The Chris's new Grosh Bent Top

Tom Anderson Drop Top

Tyler LA Studio Classic

Melancon

Precision Guitars of Phoenix

Modify a less expensive strat, or lay out the big money for one of these?
Your thoughts?

 

[mrid]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

Ah, the_Chris's guitar...fabulous. :laugh2:

 

[some_dude]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

Suhr makes some great looking axes.

I'd mod a cheap one though, largely because I can't afford one of those.

If I could afford one, I'd end up modding it anyway. That's just the way I am....

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

I think at a certain poing modding bolt on's reaches a breaking point. Those are all great, awsome guitars, but for me I think I would buy a great raw body and neck from warmoth, spend the money to have nakedbodyguitars finish it in nitro, put top of the line hardware and pups on it, and still only have $1200 or so into it.

 

[xerxes]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

the last one is nice....but if i get a strat, i want a strat

 

[McLaughysSN]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

i've always been a huge fan of the Tom Anderson guitars, great stuff, very classy as well.

dream jam/home rig = Tom Anderson Cobra S special through matchless DC-30... who needs anything else?

 

[beandip]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

If it aint got a pickguard and it'd strat shaped, I dont want it. I dont know why, I just dont. Same with tele's. Although, I can without the pickguard on LP's and stuff.

 

[mrid]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

If it aint got a pickguard and it'd strat shaped, I dont want it. I dont know why, I just dont. Same with tele's. Although, I can without the pickguard on LP's and stuff.

I'm the total opposite...I think the pickguard makes it look cheap, which is ok on a Fender, but not these babies!

 

[TheProphet]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

I'm non too careful about how I treat my guitars ...

Wears and dents in the finish of a $800-$1000 guitar hurt a little less than $3000 scratched up.

Plus with bolt-ons I'd rather make it myself than pay someone else big bucks for something like that even if I can duplicate quality

 

[Jonny R]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

I think at a certain point you get to the stage where you want to have a guitar that is an absolute 'keeper forever'.

For a guitar like this I'd really like having a guitar that I knew craftsmen that I have great respect for have spent hours pouring their practiced craft into.

Something made by someone who has honed and perfected their craft - an instrument that glows 'quality' every time you pick it up.

For me - I'd buy one of these guitars.

(I'd also have some cheaper 'modding' guitars)

 

[Ez74]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

i've always liked Tom Anderson guitars

 

[RiffRaff]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

All are excellent guitars!

Gearjoneser, have you been to tone merchants in anaheim? He usually has a pretty good selection suhr and tyler guitars in stock, excellent playing instruments.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

All are excellent guitars!

Gearjoneser, have you been to tone merchants in anaheim? He usually has a pretty good selection suhr and tyler guitars in stock, excellent playing instruments.

No, I haven't been to Tonemerchants, but would like to. Anaheim is a bit far for me, and probably only worth the drive if I were buying/picking something up. There's a few good boutique stores in the Valley. I hate going into them, because it feeds my GAS like a bowl of beans. :laugh2:

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

I like my big-headstocked 70's Strats, and while I love Strat-shaped guitars, I'm a sucker for flashy graphics over a beautifully finished top.

 

[Marty Horne]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

I recently played a limited edition Suhr strat and it was probably the best sounding strat-type guitar I've ever heard. The Andersons are also killer and I have a Hollow Cobra due in a few weeks.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

I think that putting together a guitar from parts is a good way to learn, and also gratifying instrument to have, knowing you put it together. On the other hand, the makers of these boutique companies have disected the anatomy of a bolt on guitar to such a degree that THEIR final result is most likely going to be superior to our final result. Not always, but that's the basis of cost going into these guitars. They've usually 'split hairs' to the point that you can't figure out why you love their guitars when you play them, you just know the quality when you feel it.

I still have a hard time justifying buying a bolt on strat type guitar for more than $1500. Maybe it's my cheapness, but I can only lay out more than $1500 for something that's a true work of art, collectible, or a high end amp, or something. I don't honestly think I could hand a person well over $2000 for any type of strat. Still love to look at them, tho. Or, try and find one that's around $1200, not $2700.

 

[Jonny R]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

I've seen some good examples of Melancons and similar going for prices not too far above the $1,000-$1,200 mark on Ebay before. I'd happily spend that much on a guitar like that

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

They really aren't that poorly priced. My Grosh was 1400 after everything (s&h, insurance).

I can't play normal guitars anymore. I've played many Paul Reed Smiths, and my purple beauty up above looks and plays better than 99% of them (some Artist AAAAA private stock are a bit nicer, but most aren't). The flame is incredible! The Grosh vintage-izing neck feels great and allows for some easy and fun playing (that was the seller right there.. the feel of the neck... unlike anything I've felt before). The fretwork is arguably the best in the business. The craftsmanship of a handmade guitar by a luthier that cares is unmatched. Every joint is flawless and it really is a trip to play something so flawlessly designed.

Think about it: it's a bolt-on strat (people don't like to hear that) but the pockets are so tight they keep out even air and the string vibration and transfer is that of a setneck. Superstrats are just that, super IMHO. I don't think I'd change a thing on her now. The single coils do their job and the humbucker sounds better than the one on my Gibson Les Paul Standard (I think my newer sound clips of my Triamp show that )

I'm not quite sure why they haven't caught on more, but I can't complain. I wouldn't be so lucky to pickup a 3 grand guitar for 1400 if there was more desire. Just my .02

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

Many of the boutique companies seem to be from California. It may be why I bring them up so often here, because Fenders will always be popular, but I do see quite a few good players with Andersons, Grosh, Suhr, or Ken Smith basses, or similar.

 

[Jonny R]

Re: Boutique Strats. Pricey, but Sweet! Pics!

My Grosh was 1400 after everything (s&h, insurance).

Wow, that's a nice deal. I'd pay that in a second to get a Grosh here.