I would like to weigh in on the issue of an affordable killer guitar. I have been re-voicing acoustic guitars over 20 years, and have done business as Parabolic Brace Works for nine. My work transforms any production guitar into something that goes way beyond most handmade guitars I have seen. In fact, I have re-voiced over a dozen high end guitars, such as Collings and Goodall. I invite you to visit my website www.parabolicbraceworks.com. My price is not cheap ($1200) but if you can find a production guitar you like (I think Larrivees are a good starting place) except for the balance, sustain and volume, for around $2000 (no Ovations, please) you can end up with nothing that $3000 could touch. Dealer/real musician discounts available.
The reason I suggest Larrivees is that they are well made, not scalloped, have basic parabolic bracing, and can be made incredible with my work. I can give you phone numbers of happy customers. All of the Larrivees I have worked on had loud low E and D strings, quiet A and G strings, and average treble, with a few dead frets climbing up the high E string. This is all due to top bracing and bridge shaping, and I can bring all string volumes up to the E and D, and take the whole volume up from there. I can also modify Martin, Gibson, Taylor, or any other production guitar, scalloped or not. I do not scallop braces, and NEVER cut down ones that are. I have seen many guitars ruined by good intentioned scallopers, including two that were compromised by the original builder, after they were returned for improvement!!) If the top has not bowed before I get it, it will not after I am finished.
Just an option.
Scott van Linge
