Alternative to GMW?

[MikeE]

I've been toying with the idea to have a super strat built and want to keep it to $1500 or less if possible. Because of price, Suhr and Anderson type stuff is out.

GMW is close to perfect for what I'm looking for but sadly I can't get past their headstocks. They also don't offer stainless steel frets which is a big deal to me.

I just saw something about Atlas guitars which is a Thailand based custom builder. Their guitars look unreal but there isn't a lot of info out there. Although the few things I've seen seem really positive. I emailed them about pricing and frets so we'll see how that goes.

I've also been looking at Warmoth but damn it's expensive when you factor in paint and all the parts plus assembly.

Can anyone recommend any other GMW type shops? There has to be other stuff out there.

Mike E

[neilli]

There's no other 'established' builder that I know of that'll do a custom made superstrat for $1500 or less.

[RacerX]

Have you tried Ran? http://www.ranguitars.com/ I don't know how currency valuations affect your target price though. Ran used to be quite reasonable...

[toddstaples]

http://www.atomicguitarworks.com/Home_Page.php

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/May/Atomic_Guitar_Works_STD1_Guitar_Review.aspx

[Rich#6]

What about carvin?

[dannyr]

What about carvin?

+1, Check out Carvin.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

You can build a pretty nice Warmoth for a lot less than $1500 if you go with the Showcase stuff.

Add a Floyd, couple of pickups, knobs, electronics, tuners, miscellaneous stuff and you could come out under $1500 easy.

I'm really happy with my Warmoth, it has a black Korina neck with ebony board/MOP inlays and 61GD frets, so it's no "stripper" and I'm sure I paid less than $1500 for it. Great playing guitar!

[MikeE]

Thanks for all of the replies.

I want to be able to spec the neck backshape or at least have a bunch of options. Carvin necks are too thin for me but outside of that they look awesome and the prices are unreal.

The Atomic stuff looks promising; I need to contact them to find out what fret and neck shape options they offer. Same for Ran...

For some anal idiot like me who wants to spec everything, Warmoth might be the way to go but I would rather have a shop take care of the whole build process.

[Shawn Lutz]

order a GMW to you specs as far as body, paint, electronics and cheap neck. The order a Musikraft neck to you exact specs, then flea-bay the fugly GMW neck

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

For some anal idiot like me who wants to spec everything, Warmoth might be the way to go but I would rather have a shop take care of the whole build process.

I had to drill the tuners, the pickup mounting rings, rear cover, and strap buttons, and install the Floyd bushings. The rest was just like putting a guitar together that you took apart. It was pretty easy...

If you're not a DIY guy at all then it's not for you but don't think it's anything that you need to be afraid of if you've got a little skill with basic hand tools.

[toddstaples]

The Atomic stuff looks promising; I need to contact them to find out what fret and neck shape options they offer. Same for Ran...

For some anal idiot like me who wants to spec everything, Warmoth might be the way to go but I would rather have a shop take care of the whole build process.

Im that same anal idiot. Im currently having my 3rd atomic being built. Contact them, you wont be sorry......

[Mazrim]

Good Lord!



Shockingly shit.

[tomanyjacksons]

This all sounds like looking for hens teeth. I'm probably wrong but if you want a custom to your specs guitar you will end up paying more than your budget if you want something that is of great quality. Do some shopping and go with what feels the best in your budget on a stock guitar.

[Grandturk]

Bulls, a ghost lady and dog-shaped mountains. That's a recipe for infamy.

[toddstaples]

Bulls, a ghost lady and dog-shaped mountains. That's a recipe for infamy.