What boutique guitar would you buy?

[Easto]

I'm in the market to buy my first "high-end boutique" guitar. Since I live in the Los Angeles area I have the opportunity to try a lot of these first hand. I've been searching different sites trying to get as much info as possible but I was just wondering what everyone here thought?

If I've left one of your favorites out just let me know.

 

[Hard2Hear]

IMO Terry McInturff is in a league above the others. I just can't see a bolt neck guitar with the crappy Fender design being worth what some of those people ask for them. On the other hand, TCM's neck joint is great, and a big part of the reason his guitars sound so good. He also winds his own pickups each designed with the specific guitar in mind. I've had the chance to sit and talk with him and he's a great guy and a very talented builder.

It depends if you're wanting a more Gibson or more Fender kind of guitar, really (it always comes back to the original 2). I really like some of the GMP guitars, too. And if you are wanting a KILLER botique high end guitar, you have to find a Driskill and play it.

H2H

 

[Track Rat]

I've played 3 McInturffs. Unbelievable guitars. VERY well made. I've never had my hands on the others you list.

 

[DigitalSmigital]

Wow.

Three for McInturff.

 

[Easto]

Thanks, I just realized that I left "Suhr" out of the poll.

I'm leaning towards a 'Tele or Strat' body style since these feel most comfortable in my hands and I enjoy the balance of these styles. But I'm open to anything.

 

[1kidc]

I really love my Tom Andersons - I've bought 2 of them used this year. A Hollow droptop strat and a Cobra which looks like a tele but sounds like a Les Paul. The playabillity is fantastic and they sound great.

I've noticed that the used Anderson prices have come down a bit on ebay recently. I got my Cobra used for $1400 and my droptop for $1150. I sold a very average playing 74 Les Paul that was sitting in my closet and it covered both purchases. While some might question ever selling a vintage LP - for me it was a no brainer!

You should check out the anderson users forum - A great online community! Tom Anderson practically lives there and you can usually get an answer from the man within a day. What other company provides such service?

 

[philboyd studge]

Don't think I'd ever buy one. Although I'd like to have my stolen Alan Perez dread back...he only made four. He usually made more eclectic instruments; traditional acoustic things for Los Lobos for instance.......but he liked building Harleys better. Sort of a Von Dutch type.

 

[freshmattyp]

The lead player in one of the bands I'm in plays a Grosh strat. It's a damn good guitar. The McInturff are rteally sweet, but it's apples and oprages comparing that to a Strat-type.

 

[Monsoon]

Driskill Guitars

Look into the Driskill Diablo. www.driskillguitars.com I've had my eye on those for quite some time, but haven't pulled the trigger - in part because of a lack of information about them and the inability to actually get my hands on one. But they look like everything you could want in a high-end boutique guitar. He has some sound samples, too, of the guitar through a variety of amps.

 

[SteveK]

For Tele or Strat shapes talk to Jack Gretz. I've owned numerous Andersons and this guitar slays 'em (for me). Koa top, alder body, rosewood neck, as light as my PRS Hollowbody I. Have another on order.

If you were interested in a "non-Fender" shape look at Thorn. I've got 2 with 2 more on order

Front and back of Thorn #25. Those are our two German Shepherds on the backplate. Ron Thorn does A LOT of the inlay work for Fender etc. Both of these luthiers are in the top of their profession and allow you to pick each piece of wood that is used, and will do any electronics that you choose including control layout. Feel free to email me if you have any questions about either.