Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

[Jason_The_Angry]

A friend and I were perusing the internet, looking at some of the custom shop work that Gibson was putting out recently. Some fine guitars, no doubt. We began debating the merits of ordering from the custom shop of any manufacturer based on the possible 2X markup, if you're willing to play a "regular" model that might still be an excellent instrument (perhaps with a few DIY modifications). I wandered over to the Jackson site...easily a 2-3X price difference for a Randy Rhoads made by the custom shop, as opposed to the USA models.

I've played a few Jacksons, including a really nice MIJ hard-tail Dinky that my brother owns. They were all very well crafted guitars. I'm just wondering what you get for twice the price! I can understand how using select woods and massive inlays might jack up the ray material and labor cost. However, with today's modern manufacturing techniques and quality control, I kind of feel like the gap between a well made line guitar and the custom shop guitar in terms of tone and playability can't be that wide. Does anyone have experience with buying from any of these custom shops? I'm honestly curious.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

Its not a tangible thing that can be summed up on a spec sheet. If you looking for things you can add together to justify the price then they arent for you. It doesnt work that way it never has. Its not about getting twice the guitar for twice the price. Its about getting something special that some dude took the time to craft for you.

This exists in many industries. Near my home there are old famous shoe makers. Fine italian shoes you can buy machine made shoes that their utilitarian and intrinsic value is the same if not higher. But they dont have the heart and soul of some man that worked for 12 hours to make those shoes for you.

Custom guitars are the same way. If something that is hand made doesnt matter to you. Its not for you. If you dont appreciate the craftsman ship and skill that goes into it doing it by hand... THen its not for you. And there is nothing wrong with that. They are special because they are few and most wont pay the price. Thats ok.. It keeps them special.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

There are several things custom shops do that might be worth it......

If the guitar is actually quite different to the production line one - several guitars will only have the 'correct' construction if you go to the super $$$ version. Maybe its neck-thru for CS vs bolt on for regular for example. I know the Brian May sig guitars are not at all like how his original Red Special was made unless you get the super pricey one.

If you can specify certain woods/flame tops/finishes/neck profiles. Some of the custom shop stuff really picks the great looking wood and does amazing things with the finishes. Gibson sorts the blanks for the body so the expensive reissues get the pick of the flame and back woods.

Time taken/expertise. The production line guitars are made to a strict budget. Most factories have quite a few quotas for staff to make sure they complete a set number of guitars per day. The custom shop charges much more and a lot of this is to cover for a lot more hand work and (supposed) attention to detail.

 

[rgand]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

Its not a tangible thing that can be summed up on a spec sheet. If you looking for things you can add together to justify the price then they arent for you. It doesnt work that way it never has. Its not about getting twice the guitar for twice the price. Its about getting something special that some dude took the time to craft for you.

This exists in many industries. Near my home there are old famous shoe makers. Fine italian shoes you can buy machine made shoes that their utilitarian and intrinsic value is the same if not higher. But they dont have the heart and soul of some man that worked for 12 hours to make those shoes for you.

Custom guitars are the same way. If something that is hand made doesnt matter to you. Its not for you. If you dont appreciate the craftsman ship and skill that goes into it doing it by hand... THen its not for you. And there is nothing wrong with that. They are special because they are few and most wont pay the price. Thats ok.. It keeps them special.

This sums it up nicely.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

Its not a tangible thing that can be summed up on a spec sheet. If you looking for things you can add together to justify the price then they arent for you. It doesnt work that way it never has. Its not about getting twice the guitar for twice the price. Its about getting something special that some dude took the time to craft for you.

This exists in many industries. Near my home there are old famous shoe makers. Fine italian shoes you can buy machine made shoes that their utilitarian and intrinsic value is the same if not higher. But they dont have the heart and soul of some man that worked for 12 hours to make those shoes for you.

Custom guitars are the same way. If something that is hand made doesnt matter to you. Its not for you. If you dont appreciate the craftsman ship and skill that goes into it doing it by hand... THen its not for you. And there is nothing wrong with that. They are special because they are few and most wont pay the price. Thats ok.. It keeps them special.

Nailed it. From my experience with the two Custom Shop Models I've owned ('89 Fender Stratocaster/'88 Jackson Soloist Custom) there is indeed a level of quality, detail, substance and something I can only describe as "feel/playability" that you won't find in mass production assembly line builds and that indescribable "feel" is what sets the Custom Shop Guitars apart from any other level.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

Custom shop guitars are "worth it" if you want to wring that last 10-20% of build quality, fit & finish, and playability out of production USA models. Nothing else I've ever owned or played comes close to my Tom Anderson Drop Top Classic (or the other Andersons I've played). Everything that Anderson builds is "custom shop" quality. Price is commeasurate. You definitely get what you pay for with Anderson Guitar Works. Other brands are more hit & miss in my experience.

LOL.. I just read my post and it sounds like a ridiculously over-the-top spam for said company. But I really can't overstate how great their instruments are. If you want to find that "perfect" guitar and kill your GAS... try one. Has worked for me!!!

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

Nailed it. From my experience with the two Custom Shop Models I've owned ('89 Fender Stratocaster/'88 Jackson Soloist Custom) there is indeed a level of quality, detail, substance and something I can only describe as "feel/playability" that you won't find in mass production assembly line builds and that indescribable "feel" is what sets the Custom Shop Guitars apart from any other level.

I think I just caught a glimpse of heaven.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

How does say the Fender custom shop compare to stuff like that offered by Warmoth?

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

IMO, buying a guitar from a custom shop from any major manufacturer is not worth my money. But that's mostly because if I'm spending that kind of money, I want something that none of those companies can give me. I spent less than three grand on my custom guitar and it's exactly what I want from an instrument. There's no reason I should pay twice, three times, or even more than that just to get a reliced historic LP.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

Gibson Custom Shop in general I dunno about. But the historic line, made in the CS, is worth it IMHO. They kinda cheat it into being worth it by messing with details on the other guitars but it is what it is.

Fender, I would say I have seen more AVRI guitars that I really like than CS guitars. Their CS is also split into CS as in unusual, and CS as in vintage style instruments that don't have an AVRI model and/or might have different colors. Having said that, my only Stratocaster is a white CS model 1969 Strat and it works for me.

 

[Jason_The_Angry]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

I do appreciate the attention to detail that a custom might bring you. I'm not sure about the "feel". Like anything else made by hand, there will be variation. Some good, some bad.

Some of the "best" guitars may have not been made by a custom shop, but on some magic Wednesday in the summer of 1963, when everyone on the production line just happened to not have a hangover. I would expect that the money paid would morel likely lead to a more perfect instrument where the finish is absolutely immaculate, the frets are mirror polished, the binding seams are invisible, just the right amount of glue is used, etc.

No doubt that the price makes them exclusive, but there has to be a point where the advantages no longer scale with the cost, unless you are a person that would use that monetary cost as a measure of value.

Anyway, sounds like everyone who invested in one has been impressed. That Strat does look like it slays.....

 

[some_dude]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

IMO... it's hard to fully appreciate quality when you're not used to it. I mean... I think most people can easily understand when something is better, but you don't fully grasp all the nuances until you're fully familiar with it. Then, once it's taken away you and you go back down in quality you have a better appreciation for what you just lost.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

IMO... it's hard to fully appreciate quality when you're not used to it. I mean... I think most people can easily understand when something is better, but you don't fully grasp all the nuances until you're fully familiar with it. Then, once it's taken away you and you go back down in quality you have a better appreciation for what you just lost.

We're still talking about guitars right?

 

[some_dude]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

We're still talking about guitars right?

I think it applies to pretty much everything in life.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

I bought a custom Carvin some years ago

And it was nice.to have something that was your own special signature

Built just for you
With the features you want
And look like.a work of art

Instead of the hacked up beaters I've grown accustomed to

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

In my experience, yes, they are worth it...depending on what your situation is and what you're looking for. I think Alex has made some good points, as have others.

Look...let's say you appreciate vintage Strats and Teles, but you don't have the $30K for a vintage guitar. A $3K Fender Custom Shop is a pretty good deal. Do you want it NOS, a Closet Classic, or a Relic? I used to own a 1960 Strat, and the CS relics I've played have all sounded and felt like my '60. I honestly think these are the best guitars Fender make. I owned an ash-bodied 68 Tele Thinline with a Bigsby. I'd love to have it back, but these days I'd want it with a 12" radius neck and medium jumbo frets. Custom Shop can do that, and probably cheaper than I could get it from Warmoth, if I consider my time. And if you want wall art, they can do that too. I wish I'd bought the Playboy and the Harley Strats.

Again...with Gibson, I don't have $300K for a '59 LP, but if I want that feel, $10K for a Murphy-aged reissue is one hell of a bargain. The Historic Reissues are great guitars...certainly my favorites of the LPs I own. Gibson doesn't do as much as Fender in terms of one-offs, but their Custom Shop builds their best instruments.

G&L is essentially a Custom Shop. My favorite strats are G&Ls, and offer all the features I would want in a Custom Shop guitar at an unbeatable price. Their range of colors, neck options, pickups, etc. far exceeds what Fender USA offers, wih top quality. I don't even look at Fender models any more. I am so glad I found G&L.

Martin has a Custom Shop, and Taylor has their BTO guitars. Most of the upper-end production Martins are already exquisitely made, but if you want some extra bling or fancier woods, they can deliver. Personally, there's a little less cost/value ratio here for me, but if you want and can afford something special, they can do it.

I just know this thread is going to go in the toilet with the debaters who'll claim their MIM Strats and Epi LPs are just as good as Custom Shop models, but I'm not buying it. I know better. For me, the Custom Shop guitars are worth it. They might not be for you, and that's fine.

Bill

 

[Diego]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

Lots of great perspectives here.
Not only I think of quality with Custom Shop instruments, but also the fact that they're a potential investment.
Unless you get a CS Wangcaster or some other extremely fetishist guitar that nobody else will want, I'd say chances are it will become valuable sort of quickly due to the Custom Shop sticker, whereas a standard MIA instrument will take ages to become valuable.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

I suppose the price is worth it for those willing to pay it. I suppose I would pay it for something that I couldn't easily do myself, such as fancy inlay or finish (bindings etc.) work. But at this point I would rather spend money on the non custom, but middle range version, and then do some aftermarket upgrades myself, like pickups or switching or tuning items.

 

[Texas Kurt]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

I doubt I will ever buy a custom shop guitar, but I believe they could worth it. Craftsmanship makes a big difference. It mIght be the same wood and metal as another guitar but it was put together by someone focused and skilled. It's someone who loves what they do, and not some guy passing time on an assembly line. Instead of his boss telling him to do a good job he just does it. Thats a lost perspective these days.

On the flip side, I have found that some great guitar techs can take a decent stock guitar and turn it into something special. I prefer that route. I think it helps to have somebody at some point put some TLC into your instrument. Tweak it at the custom shop for 2 grand or do it afterwards for a lot less. Just find a craftsman.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Major guitar compay's custom shops - is it worth it?

I'm not sure if I'll ever own a CS guitar, but one can dream right?

I would say that they are worth it. As someone else pointed out, you're not just getting a guitar.