The guitar custom shop??

[RockinJim]

Came across this website in Moscow, Russia of all places that builds 'the world's finest hand built custom guitars and basses.'

I sent them a spec list they had online for basically something similar to a Kramer Baretta, very simple design, one humbucker, OFR, gold hardware, etc. The price quote was 1900 shipped which is obviously pretty cheap for a total custom build. I am seeing if they will go to 1500 shipped.

Question is - has anybody heard of this place?? Thoughts?

The pictures of jobs they've done in the gallery look impressive.

http://theguitarcustomshop.com/index.php

[mastrxplodr]

Never heard of them, it bugs me that they try to copy other companies logos...kind of like my brothers "Caddaway" golf clubs lol. If you can get some good references could be a cool custom though.

[Johnnyryche]

Check out the "Guitar World" section of their site. It shows the name and location of the customers that ordered the guitar along with pictures and all the specs. Maybe you can get in touch with some of these customers for references.

[RockinJim]

Thanks, guys. I actually did see that section. I will ask for references before I give a deposit. They are very responsive, already 3-4 emails about design today. Obviously it makes me a bit nervous but I haven't found another custom shop online with as easy as a process. Any US maker is probably 2X the price. I also did a quick quote on ESP's site for something similar and it was $6K.

Also the guy I'm dealing with claims that Russian Alder is superior wood to other types of Alder, lighter weight, better clarity and more sustain, according to him. I'm doing that with maple neck, Rosewood board and Dimarzio SD.

[neilli]

If you want a solid colour Baretta spec guitar, GMW will do one for 1350 shipped (inc gold hardware, whatever pickup, most colours, fitted case etc) and you won't have to pay taxes / duty as you would on a non-US made item arriving into the States.

[RockinJim]

Thanks, I found their website and sent Lee an email with the specs I sent to the other place. Let's see what he says!

[Nightbat]

'the world's finest hand built custom guitars and basses.'

Russian Alder is superior wood to other types of Alder

[MetalHeadMat]

I've never heard of Russian Alder. Does anybody know if this is true?

As well, it mentions American Alder. Is this what most alder guitars are made of? Or are they made from Alder from the country of origination, (Japanese Imports = Japanese Alder, Korean Import = Korean Alder).

[RockinJim]

What I found on that site.

American alder:

Medium weight
Nice mechanical properties (not too soft, fairly stiff)
Sound is relatively warm and balanced
Appearance is pleasant, with even cream to tan coloring and mild grain patterns
Grows quite large, providing boards big enough for a 2-piece body (sometimes even 1-piece, but thats very rare)

Since the early-60s: This is the classic "Fender" guitar body wood. (before that, Leo used Swamp Ash!)



Russian alder:

Very Light weight
Exceptional mechanical properties (very stiff and hard for its weight)
Sound is very "powerful" - full and bright but not harsh.
Appearance is "Butt Ugly": pale heartwood always has many mineral streaks and unsightly blotches of greenish-brown discoloration. We only use solid color finishes on this wood!
The trees grow slowly, and don't get very large - thus guitar bodies are often 3 or 4 pieces.

We use a lot of this for NECKTHRU body wings (It's tone really excels in neckthrough 'metal' guitars - it gives great sustain and clarity, while maintaining light weight)

[ulijdavid]

I would go with 10-12 pieces glued together. More glue and less wood gives more resonance and tone. In order to get that "woody" sound, it's best to remove as much wood as possible. Glue is where the tone is.

[Johnnyryche]

Ahhhh, so that explains the confusion and complaints with the limited run of Charvel Lynch subs. They didn't specify Russian alder for the bodies. I guess that makes sense that the original Charvel with a Russian sub graphic would use only Russian alder for the body.

[RacerX]

"In Soviet Russia, guitar designs you!"

[RockinJim]

Actually, I'm going to order through GMW, the downside is they cannot do a banana or hockey headstock but the price is right. I always wanted to try a custom guitar!

[MetalHeadMat]

I would go with 10-12 pieces glued together. More glue and less wood gives more resonance and tone. In order to get that "woody" sound, it's best to remove as much wood as possible. Glue is where the tone is.

Nah man, the real secret is to just staple gun them together, and put Jell-o in between the cracks.

[warlok]

All the wigglin' and jigglin' would resonate for days..