I know it aint a Gibby, but I bought a custom handbuilt yesterday!

[Taylor Player]

I admit that I am just an acoustic nut... I love wood & steel. Can't help it and don't want to. I always thought that maybe someday, I would just wake up and be able to play the electric guitar so I keep trying to find one that works but to no avail. I have tried a few electrics over the last 30 years, but always end up picking up my acoustic and start playing some sort of fingerstyle piece. I just sold my only electric, a 2004 Fender Strat Made in the good old USA. It was a fun guitar to play blues licks with, and I found out finally what the Fender "Quack" is all about and actually liked it alot. Then one day I go look at Craigslist and see this beautiful handbuilt guitar made right here in my home state, featuring woods procureed right here in Minnesota. I have always wanted a custom built to my spec, handbuilt acoustic but never thought I could afford it. Well the original owner, a college kid getting ready to go back to school, had this listed at a price that was in the same range as my Fender Strat. I thought about it and realized that in the last 4-5 months, I have only looked at the strat as I reached for my Gibson or Taylor....so, I put my Strat on Craigslist and sold it in a couple days. I had already confirmed that this guitar was available and went to test it out. It featured a wood selection that I had found very desirable on other guitars I had played, Bear Claw Sitka top and Eastern Black Walnut Back and sides. The binding is Maple. The killer that sealed the deal when the owner sent me photos was the abalone inlay n the fretboard. Now don't get me wrong, I think too much "bling" is not great, but this fretboard was stunning. I also liked that the luthier did not go overboard with abalone bindings or rosette. I love the maple binding and walnut rosette. I also LOVE the 5 ply neck with volute at the headstock.

 

The tone, is definatly a mixture of my Taylor's brighness and the Gibson AJ's growl. It probably would best be described as woody yet with a nice sustain and clarity on the upper notes. It really sounds nothing like either the Taylor or Gibson but in a good way. I particularily like the DADGAD and Drop D songs on it.

 

The luthier is named Jeremy Anderson and his company is Legato Lutherie based out of Minnesota. He currently builds about 10 guitars a year and has been doing it for 8 years. Mine was built in 2006.

 

Anyway, enough talking, time for some guitar porn!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And lastly.... My new wallpaper from the Luthiers showing at the Monteal Guitar show he was invited to...

 

 

that is actually my guitar!!! how cool is that.

[jannusguy]

you can always get another strat. that's a beautiful guitar! happy pickin'!

[Johnt]

you can always get another strat. that's a beautiful guitar! happy pickin'!

 

So right jannusguy, two a penny! LOL

 

Seriously good looking lady you have "on your arm" Paul!

 

I for one am a a tad surprised you looked very happy with your friends 'bird a few weeks ago, you feckless person you!

 

I like the bearclaw, have a tiny bit on the SWD and the "bling"!

 

Glad your happy with it.

 

BR

 

John

[jefleppard]

nice job, tp!

[Taylor Player]

 

So right jannusguy' date=' two a penny! LOL

 

Seriously good looking lady you have "on your arm" Paul!

 

I for one am a a tad surprised you looked very happy with your friends 'bird a few weeks ago, you feckless person you!

 

I like the bearclaw, have a tiny bit on the SWD and the "bling"!

 

Glad your happy with it.

 

BR

 

John

[/quote']

 

Thanks for the nice comments guys... Yeah JT, that bird was a beauty but not for sale. The guy that owned it is over 70 so maybe if I wait awhile....

 

I love the bear claw also. This guitar was sooooo underpriced on the ad that I couldn't ignore it. I guess people around these parts are not familier with Luthier hand built guitars so they stayed away. That plus this kid had some insurance claim and college dues coming up. It was pretty much a no brainer. According to the luthier, to build this today (mine is 2 years old and his prices went up a bit) it would cost around $3500 from him. His standard price with no upgrades for a custom build is currently $2500 per his website.

 

I am not replacing my Gibson AJ or my Taylor, this is just a new addition to an already wonderful family. It has a sound much different than either of those. The AJ still crushes it in volume and bass response, but the trebel response of this has a nice shimmer reminicent of my Taylor but woodier. Kind of a blend of Rosewood and Mahogany is the best I can describe it. What is fun is playing the same fingerstyle piece on each one and hearing the difference.

 

I had my wife do a blind test last night to see which "tone" she preferred on an Al Petteway tune I have been working on in DADGAD. Played all three guitars with her just around the corner from my music room out of view. Guess which one she liked best??????????

 

 

Keep scrolling.............

 

 

 

 

The Gibson! I knew I married a good gal 24 years ago! Goes to show what happens when you actually do marry "The girl next door" as she really did move in next door to me when I was 17.... What were her parents thinking!

[jefleppard]

great story, tp. nice to have a cache of different tones to go (minnesota) wild with!

[Taylor Player]

great story' date=' tp. nice to have a cache of different tones to go (minnesota) wild with![/quote']

 

Thanks Cunk...I am definately (Minnesota) Wild over this guitar..... as I am over all my guitars.... they are puck'en awesome!

[Johnt]

 

Thanks for the nice comments guys... Yeah JT' date=' that bird was a beauty but not for sale. The guy that owned it is over 70 so maybe if I wait awhile....

 

I

The Gibson! I knew I married a good gal 24 years ago! Goes to show what happens when you actually do marry "The girl next door" as she really did move in next door to me when I was 17.... What were her parents thinking! [/quote']

 

That 'Bird kinda "fitted" you!

 

Lets hope Nutty will do the same I am sure it will, as someone said the other day you instinctively belive a guitar is right when you pick it up which is why( just at the moment) I am not pickin up a J300 or a Robert Johnson!!

 

 

I wish I'd married my "good girl" 24 years ago but the important thing is that we got there in the end!"

[Taylor Player]

 

That 'Bird kinda "fitted" you!

 

Lets hope Nutty will do the same I am sure it will' date=' as someone said the other day you instinctively belive a guitar is right when you pick it up which is why( just at the moment) I am not pickin up a J300 or a Robert Johnson!!

 

 

I wish I'd married my "good girl" 24 years ago but the important thing is that we got there in the end!"[/quote']

 

Oh go pick up that Robert J...... you know you want to!!!!!

 

I have been having a nice time bonding with "Nutty" but for some reason, "Beast" my AJ has been seeing almost as much play time as I just love the sound of that Gibby!

 

[Johnt]

 

Oh go pick up that Robert J...... you know you want to!!!!!

 

I have been having a nice time bonding with "Nutty" but for some reason' date=' "Beast" my AJ has been seeing almost as much play time as I just love the sound of that Gibby!

 

 

Paul you are so right! I really really regret passing on that natural RJ which was on the forum a week or so ago!

 

But cash was/is on short supply and we have two cars which need MOT/Tax etc and sometimes in life you have to prioritise!

 

Oh B*GGER!

 

Yeah know what you mean about THE guitar you own, I play through mine and always end up with the J45! So much so that yesterday I ordered a proper strings for it (what you guys call Lights that is 12s, to me they are hawsers)

There has been so many postings about projection etc and my J45 has always been strung with 10s which probably strangle it a bit.

 

I hope I still feel the same about my "THE guitar" wheh she's properly shod!

 

BR

 

John