doug Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Oh Wes I nearly fell off my chair... LOL! Me too! What about the time spent? Well maybe a parts-o-axe may save in that respect too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotza_Noize Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 I don't buy anymore. I make (or have made) my guitars. I have found that guitars on the shelves are sometimes crap. The pickups are junk. And I don't get my moneys worth. It's all in a name. Screw that! I'm not going to pay for a name and distribution of this garbage. Let Billy the "14 year old snot-nose wanna be a rock star" buy this guitar. Not me. I get what I want. And I love what I get. Period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 (edited) Hey, not saying that's my average cost (not even a quarter of average, probably), but a Limba body and neck (30 bucks), Madagascar rosewood board (5 bucks), Gotoh tuning machines (35 bucks), wilky aluminum bridge from Guitarfetish (wraparound style, 15 bucks), and some home-wound P-90's (have parts, ergo cheapo pickupso, about 10 each), then misc stuff like fretwire, neck reinforcements, truss rod, bit of inlay, and we're around the 150 mark. And since I like that LP Junior vibe from time to time, I can't say that'd be a sub-par guitar for me. Might go a little swankier by putting a Gotoh Wilkinson wraparound on there, which would bump the price another 30 or so. (then again, my next planned personal guitar is a black limba 1-piece, cocobolo neck, maple top, Gotoh 510's, so...yeah. Bit pricier, that.) The time spent....it's a hobby. It's fun. But yeah, if I billed myself what I earn doing my current 'work on the side' (freelance translation), well, let's just say I couldn't afford a guitar built by me. Ever. Edited January 23, 2008 by Mattia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryovanni Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 I would buy a guitar if it had my interest, but I am not really into investment instruments or collecting though. I have been known to buy guitars at yard sales if there is something neat about them(like they are broken and need a little TLC). I build a guitar if I feel like it, or had a notion to try something. Actually it is the process of building that I enjoy a lot, so I try not to mess that up by thinking about cost or value of what I put together. Peace,Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Sorbera Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 What Daniel said. And Wes, c'mon, we're all completely ignoring those nice, big, fat piles of cash we paid for our arsenal of tools. I can now build an electric for about 150 bucks (and up, depending on options), and I'm ignoring the 4,000 or so bucks I've got invested in tools, large and small. I figure I need to build another dozen guitars before I'm properly 'in the red' compared to just buying instruments, but honestly, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Exactly. I was only counting the wood/hardware per guitar. I've spent so much on tools it makes my head spin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
!WOOD!! Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 I seem to be a sucker for cheap Japanese guitars.I have probably refished 10 Squires alone.I love the ones that were bought for their kids and after 3 lessons they have a need to modify their guitars with stickers screwdrivers and spraycans.I think I am the crazy cat lady of the guitar world and feel sorry for these poor little beasts and see if I can salvedge some of their questionable dignity.If nothing else it has given me the opportunity to learn how to strip;respray and buff some bodies with no real consequence if I screw it up.If they turn out acceptable than I resell them and put the cash into a fund to buy guitar parts.I think I am addicted to trading guitars for guitars that I have rebuilt.Last week I traded a Squire that some young girl had taken a marker to with absolutely no artistic talent plus a really beat up semi acoustic that I attempted my first refret on for a mint Epiphone V with case.The Squire took some thinners and a light buffing and a new pickguard to look quite nice.The old semi was a guinny pig that showed me that I had a lot to learn about refretting.The Squire cost me $20 Canadian and the Semi was a $25 Ebay with local pickup.With a little bit of work and a new pickguard I had a mint Epi V 58 RI.The V is going to be traded on Sunday for a Godin SDXT.So for my $45 and a bit of work I have a nice little underated Canadian guitar.The Godin will hit Craigslist or Kijjiji and will get me more parts for what I want to build.I am on a bit of a Tele kick right now and the proceeds from said guitars will get me enough parts for at least 1 good build or 2 if I have patience.I definitely prefer my guitars to name brands because I have control over what goes into them but almost need the others to get me there.I have about 5 Epis acouple of Fenders and some really wierd Japanese guitars but to me they are tradebait or waiting to be sold.The only guitars I keep are mine and acoustics because I have yet to build an acoustic.Would not consider buying an electric that cost me more than $100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myka Guitars Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 (edited) I haven't bought a guitar since I started building my own. Now when I go into a guitar store I almost never find anything that plays as good to me anymore. I would not hesitate to have a guitar built for me or pick one up if I like it. The problem is that I am always thinking of what I could build for myself and so I usually gather ideas and build it exactly how I want it. I really enjoy what I build and since I design them to fit my playing style and make them comfortable to my hands I truly cannot find anything off the shelf that comes even remotely close. I am totally biased and quite spoiled. I do have a custom Andrew Olden that he made for me in trade for one of my guitars. I love it but my friend Troy won't give it back. He borrowed it and gave me first right of refusal should he decide to get rid of it! About original designs, I went full circle with my ideas. At first I designed anything that was different than the traditional guitars. I made some weird stuff. Then I started to realize that pointy guitars or instruments that had appendages for the sake of a wild aesthetic simply were not comfortable, or they were but only standing up. It was then that I realized why guitars are shaped the way they are. There are only so many ways to comfortably interface 6 strings to the human body. I don't claim to have completely original shapes but I do make them my own (it actually is all in the details) and use configurations that aren't necessarily traditional, or at least not for the specific instrument. Come to think of it I might buy a Stevens LJ if I had the cash. His design is so friggin' cool. ~David Edited January 24, 2008 by Myka Guitars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I just bought one, LTD M1000. the one before that was bought 10 years ago. when I started building guitars, I lost interest in buying them. but this one really got me, I think its because I always wanted a guitar similar to the ESP that kirk played. first they made the KH2, but it was a bolt on, then the vintage KH2 came out, neck thru just like I wanted, but way too expensive, and now ltd has several models that are neck thru and looks very cool. the next one is gonna take another 10 years maybe. until then I will continue to build my guitars, and do it better everytime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Well there's something to be said for "doing it yourself"... :o) Give credit where credit is due. There are a lot of very very fine guitars out there built by people with intense vision and talent. Though I am partial to my own work for the same reasons as Dave, I would be proud to own work done by others. No matter how refined our own skills are, there's always someone who can do it better in one way or another. -Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickguard Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 About original designs, I went full circle with my ideas. At first I designed anything that was different than the traditional guitars. I made some weird stuff. Then I started to realize that pointy guitars or instruments that had appendages for the sake of a wild aesthetic simply were not comfortable, or they were but only standing up. It was then that I realized why guitars are shaped the way they are. I discovered this on my first project (if anyone recalls the Bocaster). Looked cool, but was uncomfortable to play. A shame, because I still think a rectangular guitar is a great idea. Robert Izararry (close enough) has got me very interested in ergonomic guitars (esp. Klein). I also like the fact that they break the mold of traditional guitar shapes. I'd be really curious to see the Myka take on ergonomic design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myka Guitars Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I'd be really curious to see the Myka take on ergonomic design. It's in the works... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 can now build an electric for about 150 bucks (and up, depending on options), WOW!I must be a snob...I paid over $1000 for the wood,hardware,and paint for the Exploder(counting router bits and blades the bubinga chewed up) No way could I build a guitar to my liking for that little cash...congrats to you on being frugal! I agree, very nice Mattia. It cost me in between $900 and $1400 to build a bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmrentis Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 What about total cost for your first guitar, including tools? I'm especially interested in the prices of those who didn't have many prior woodworking tools to begin with like myself. I've spent more time saving money for tools than I have for building for sure, but I plan to do this as a hobby for as long as I can and hopefully, I'll get to the point where I've got everything and my total cost is considerbly less. I would imagine for some people who bought all the proper tools in quality, spent something close to or over many custom guitars. I know I've probably spent probably a couple grand gathering tools and equipment over the last two years and I still need more like finishing equipment and a planer. Obviously, you could do it without much, but many people I think buy the 14"+ bandsaws, planers, standing drill presses, table saws, routers +table, maybe laminate trimmer for bindings, dremels for inlays possibly, all kinds of clamps, and much more. So that first guitar usually costs quite a bit. As for the topic, since I justed building I keep telling myself that I'll just build my own, but that could change depending on my finished product quality. As well as my current project is going, I feel fairly good about my innate woodworking skills and will hopefully continue to fine tune them. I do however, see so many guitars that I just love and since finding this site, the great custom luthiers out there and learning of my own skills, I will likely only buy customs, unless like Rich, I find some gem at a garage sale or pawn shop that I want to learn, practice, or fix up on. I would have no problem in buying a guitar though especially since I am many many years away from equaling even the least experienced custom builder. Anyway, I didn't get into building because I wanted a nice guitar for cheap, I got into it because I sincerely and thoroughly enjoy building and creating, I actually got so excited at the idea right away. Heck, ask Wes, I pestered the crap out of him the first couple weeks I was here as I was so excited about the whole thing. I'm especially thankful to have found this forum, as I have learned so much, so much quicker than I would have on my own with a book, plus its nice to bounce ideas off of each other and share thoughts. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickguard Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 What about total cost for your first guitar, including tools? I only count the specialized tools -- mostly fretting tools, which adds up to about $200 (most of which was gifts anyway). The other tools are useful for everything else I build or plan to build (nasty found-wood sculptures, mostly). And for the big stuff, bandsaws, thicknessers, I go to friends or a local carpenter who charges me very little, like 5 euros to thickness a 40 cm wide one-piece body blank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 What about total cost for your first guitar, including tools? Dude...I have a room in my house(about 16' by 12') packed to the gills with guitar building tools.I can't even walk through it right now.When I get into "building mode" I move the bigger tools out of the house,onto a concrete bunker I have in my yard,and I put them into a jobox at night...What I have spent on tools would have bought me several custom instruments.. I also have a picnic table reserved for wood cutting only,because I can move it as the shade moves through the day. This summer will be a big time for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmrentis Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 What about total cost for your first guitar, including tools? Dude...I have a room in my house(about 16' by 12') packed to the gills with guitar building tools.I can't even walk through it right now.When I get into "building mode" I move the bigger tools out of the house,onto a concrete bunker I have in my yard,and I put them into a jobox at night...What I have spent on tools would have bought me several custom instruments.. I also have a picnic table reserved for wood cutting only,because I can move it as the shade moves through the day. This summer will be a big time for me... I can't wait to have all the tools bought and room for them, I have enough to build guitars now, minus a spray gun, but I still have a number of tools that I feel will help me build. I also want to eventually move into acoustic builds, which will require another load of tools. The two tools I really want next will be thicknesser/drum sander open ended and/or a planer, seeing all the things Eric used his open ended sander for sold me on the tool. Well actually I was sold long before that after seeing and hearing what other members did with them, but that brought it back into my mind. Wes, Do you care to share what you got brewin for summatime or is it top secret? For the most part I've kept mine low key minus a few pics, mainly because there are too many experienced builders here and I'm too liable to be influenced by good advice and better ideas, which would make me start changing my plans, which would end up causing me problems, probably. Either way, minus binding the body and fretting, all I have is finish. Unfortunately, I need to make some type of binding machine for carved tops, which I have no desire to do. Oh well, at least I'll only need to build it once, right? J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Wes, Do you care to share what you got brewin for summatime or is it top secret? No secret...first,I have to build or buy a spray shed and spraying equipment....I still don't have that stuff and it kills me. The summer project is a set of neck thru exploders,one for each planet in our solar system,each themed after the god the planets were named for,complete with inlays and themed color schemes(the specifics ARE being kept under my hat for now),and a set of 4 Vees(my own custom offset design),also neck thru,designed after the four horsemen of the apacolypse,Death,Pestilence,Famine,and War. Soon I will need to start buying the woods...mostly mahogany and maple...though I am leaning towards another slab of figured bubinga for the War V...That one I wish to try a "boiling lake of fire" kind of thing.... Alot of the real specifics I have not even considered yet.I still have to ""map out" on paper the schematics of each one....I also will have to get internet at the house again before then,because no way could I get what I need otherwise. J....Go to home depot and pick up a ryobi oscillating drum sander.....they cost $100 and I have had mine for 3 years now....they make life alot easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick500 Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 (edited) The summer project is a set of neck thru exploders,one for each planet in our solar system,each themed after the god the planets were named for,complete with inlays and themed color schemes(the specifics ARE being kept under my hat for now),and a set of 4 Vees(my own custom offset design),also neck thru,designed after the four horsemen of the apacolypse,Death,Pestilence,Famine,and War. That's awesome! I'm looking forward to it. What about total cost for your first guitar, including tools? I'm especially interested in the prices of those who didn't have many prior woodworking tools to begin with like myself. Let's see... Materials only, probably $600. With specialized luthiery-only tools, around $850. With power tools and all, which is an unrealistic analysis since I use them for other things, maybe $3000. Edited January 24, 2008 by Rick500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Re: tools, I'm firmly in the camp of 'buy what you need, when you need it'. At a certain point you just need to strat building. I built my first 6 guitars or so with little more than a jigsaw, a router, a drill stand for the tuning machine holes, some rasps, sandpaper, a bit of cork, and a couple specialist tools (crowning file, fret tang nipper). You don't need tablesaws, bandsaws, etc. etc. to build guitars. Not really. Sure, it makes it a lot easier, and I don't regret buying any of the tools I've got, but my major expenditure on project number one was my good quality router and some bits, in terms of tools. And I only recently got a bandsaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 That's awesome! I'm looking forward to it. Knowing me,it will probably take me fifty years to complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmrentis Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 (edited) Wow, summatime will be a big time for you. Can't wait to see those axes, I really dig the themes you came up with, different from any I've seen and really cool. I'm curious to see your custom offset designed V, sounds interesting plus I like seeing custom designs. Something you mentioned in your post kinda struck me. Initially I had written a question asking you about spraying booths or sheds and if you had ever tried something like this and your first sentence answered the question I ended up erasing, crazy. Sounds like a good idea to try, though your other finishes worked out well. From a few people around I've read that some of the Harbor freight guns work well and are super cheap, might be work looking into, maybe grizzlys guns as well. Thanks for the advice on the oscillating drum sander, sounds like a good idea. I've have some cheapo drum sanders for the drill press and for the little use I can get out of it, I can see how well it will suit my building. The drums actually made shaping the volute area on my neck super nice and easy. Again, thanks, I will check those out and probably grab one. Thats a good price and I have no beef with ryobi. I got a 2hp ryobi router off of craiglists for $40, used once and that router is amazing and make quick work of everything and not a drop of tearout. Also, for the boiling lake idea, check around and see if you can find any pomele bubinga! I've only seen it a few times, but it would really go along way to created that boiling look. The grain itself may actually create the look for you if you staind and sanded back. Just an idea to toss about, either way sounds like a cool idea. I think the wood choice is perfect because looking at your other guitar of bubinga, the color fits nicely. Anyhow, best of luck to you, some killer ideas and I look forward to seeing them. J Edited January 24, 2008 by jmrentis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Initially I had written a question asking you about spraying booths or sheds and if you had ever tried something like this and your first sentence answered the question I ended up erasing, crazy. I'm a miiindreeedaaaaa!Didn't you know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickguard Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 thru,designed after the four horsemen of the apacolypse,Death,Pestilence,Famine,and War. I thought that was Death, Pestilence, Famine and Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotza_Noize Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 This $150 to build a guitar makes me feel bad. I spent nearly $2200 on my first project. I will send pictures as soon as it comes back from none other than Herc Fede himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikbojerik Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 My own builds fit my fretting hand better than anything off the shelf. I'm still tweeking, but I'll never buy a factory instrument again unless its something vintage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.