Ordering a Guitar

Ordering a guitar starts with a conversation…

Here are some of the questions I will ask:

Is there a guitar of mine that you would like your own version of? If so, we can start there. If not, then:

• What woods speak to you? Top wood, and choice of back and sides, impacts a guitar’s overall tone. But choice of wood is one of the most personal aesthetic decisions and can deeply affect your bond with the guitar. This is one of the most fun decisions as we begin.

• What size? Most guitar body sizes use the Martin or Gibson designations like Jumbo, Dreadnought, OM (Orchestra Model), or Parlor.  We can discuss why you might lean toward one or another.

• How will you play this guitar? Fingerstyle? Bluegrass, Old Time, or campfire strumming? Jazz or Rock? This will impact the neck setup, string choice and other decisions.

• Scale length? Most guitar necks meet the body at the fourteenth fret, but the smaller ones are at the twelfth fret. We can discuss pros and cons to this choice.

• Cutaway? If you like to play up high on the neck, and like the look, you might opt for this.

• Neck wood and shape? I tend to use mahogany for necks, but sometimes maple is just the right thing—and there are other options as well. Neck shape? You may not have an opinion about this until you play a neck that feels amazing to you. You may simply want me to make the neck shape I find most generally pleasing, or I can steer you toward options that can help you clarify what you most want in neck shape.

• Design details, like sound port and arm bevel? Unless you actively don’t want them, I build my guitars with both an arm bevel for comfort, and a sound port in the upper bout side for increased enjoyment in hearing the guitar.

• Decorative elements? This guitar will be unique and uniquely yours. Rosette design, fret markers and bindings, heel wedge, or other inlaid decorative elements—really all elements of the guitar—can be an expression of who you are or of a particular theme that is meaningful to you. I design guitars where all of these parts aesthetically work together and am always happy to run with an idea.

• Finish? I recommend a traditional French Polish or a catalyzed urethane finish. Satin or glossy is up to you. My goal here is the balance of sound and toughness, and keeping the guitar as stable as possible—as well as beautiful.

If you are interested in an electric guitar, I’ll ask an additional set of questions:

• Body? Tele, Strat, Les Paul, Offset…what sort of electric guitar body are you thinking of? These choices tend to come with certain pickup configurations that produce the particular sound these guitars are each known for. But…

• Wiring options: What type of pickups and switch options do you have in mind? There’s a lot to talk about here. This can also be a very personal choice, but if you’ve gotten this far in thinking about a custom made electric, you likely have ideas I’d like to hear about.

Again, I’m happy to direct you as much or as little as you’d like.

Each guitar comes with a hardshell case included in the price of the guitar. If you would like more case than that, I can order a more rugged custom travel case.

I require a deposit to purchase materials and get started. This sum is usually 25% of the price of the guitar. If I am using wood I don’t have on hand, I like to get it to my shop and have it sit for at least a month to acclimate. I only do a few guitars a year, so I will let you know how long it will take until I can ship your guitar.

acoustic guitars start at $3900, electric start at $1900.

I look forward to talking with you, and…nothing would make me happier than building you the guitar you didn’t realize you could have.