Custom Shop Advice Please

[downer01]

I'm selling off abunch of gear and am going to be using the money to fund a Custom Shop Guitar. I'm pretty set on going with Schecter, Jackson, ESP, or Ibanez. So my main concern isn't with body styles or looks as much as actual craftsmanship/build quality. I'm sure all these companies are great at what they do but this will be a huge investment for me and I want the best guitar I can get for my money.

 

A few of my concerns are things like properly cut Nut, pristine fret work and laser level fret leveling. Perfect bridge placement (I'm gonna be going the tom string thru route) perfect break angles. Superior tuning and intonation stability. Great fretboard work and premium body woods. Amazing neck thru construction etc...

You guys all know what I mean.

 

So basically I guess I'm asking on everyones thoughts and opinions who has had the opportunity to play any custom shop guitars from these companies and to grade their luthier work and craftsmanship.

 

Thanks in advance to everyone that can help me out.

[-TJ-]

I have a custom shop ESP vintage plus (strat). So I cant comment on neck thru's.... mine is built very nicely, great fretwork, nice attention to detail, cant really complain. My only complaint about the guitar if there is one, is that its not as light as I would like it to be.

[poolshark]

 

A few of my concerns are things like properly cut Nut, pristine fret work and laser level fret leveling . Perfect bridge placement (I'm gonna be going the tom string thru route) perfect break angles. Superior tuning and intonation stability . Great fretboard work and premium body woods. Amazing neck thru construction etc... You guys all know what I mean. So basically I guess I'm asking on everyones thoughts and opinions who has had the opportunity to play any custom shop guitars from these companies and to grade their luthier work and craftsmanship. Thanks in advance to everyone that can help me out.

 

 

First off, the bolded passages aren't functions of a good builder, but a good tech. Gibson, for example, often builds a fine guitar with primo components, but they're notorious for shoddy tech and finishing work; after a trip to a good tech, though, the same average-feeling guitar can become a firebreather. I understand where you're coming from, but writing off great construction based on a poor setup will rob you of some great instruments.

 

Anyway. As far as a recommendation in your interest area, I love the stuff out of both Washburn's and Peavey's custom shops. Offbeat and often quite beautiful, never have I not been overwhelmed with the quality:dollar ratio.

[downer01]

 

First off, the bolded passages aren't functions of a good builder, but a good tech. Gibson, for example, often builds a fine guitar with primo components, but they're notorious for shoddy tech and finishing work; after a trip to a good tech, though, the same average-feeling guitar can become a firebreather. I understand where you're coming from, but writing off great construction based on a poor setup will rob you of some great instruments. Anyway. As far as a recommendation in your interest area, I love the stuff out of both Washburn's and Peavey's custom shops. Offbeat and often quite beautiful, never have I not been overwhelmed with the quality:dollar ratio.

 

 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I would be extremely upset if I purchased a custom built guitar and when it arrived I had to get the frets leveled, nut cut properly etc...

I don't want to spend that kind of money and once I get it have to spend more money taking it to a good tech.

 

Like I said earlier, I'm sure all the companies I mentioned are great at what they do and take pride in their work but I'd like to get a little feedback from everyone who's had experience in this area with custom shop built instruments

[AzCat]

Jackson - Great, I've owned a bunch and they've been uniformly great. But I've always liked Jackson's guitars and I don't think a custom piece merits the double-down in price versus an off-the-rack USA Select. That's not to say that the customs aren't excellent, they are but the drop off to a USA production model isn't that great IMHO.

 

Schecter - I own one Schecter custom & it's the only one I've ever played. It's a novelty piece but, surprisingly, also a fine instrument. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another if an interesting one popped up.

 

ESP - I've had some of the high-end stuff but it was years ago, like very early '90s, so I'm not sure if my opinion qualifies. At the time I thought the ones I had were fine instruments but I preferred Jackson necks and so haven't revisted ESP's guitars since. Again, if they offered something I wanted I wouldn't hesitate.

 

That said, the advice above is absolutely dead-on: much of what you're looking for a good tech can give you. And even the most perfectly levelled frets won't stay true up & down the neck if your guitar requires seasonal adjustments which many do. You might be on the verge of spending a lot of money chasing unrealistic expectations.

 

You've not said whether you're shopping for a used custom or spec'ing your own but it it's the latter and if you're on a budget I'd reconsider. For the price of one custom from the builders you mentioned you could pick up two or three used ones. Or two or three really nice production models and have money left over to upgrade the pups, have them Plek'd, have any issues addressed by a good tech, etc.