'lo, all.

Call me a newbie, a fresh-slice, a spring chicken. I've owned my acoustic guitar for about a year now, and haven't played it all that much. I have, however, always wanted to learn. See the guy who's teaching me is a friend.... a not-so-necessarily-devoted one. I want to really LEARN. Don't care if it's hard.

So quest #1 is finding me a good instructor.
That is a challenge in and of itself. Someone suggested I give a call to Berkeley and see if they can find someone in my area (Manchester, NH). There is another matter.
Maybe six months ago I bought an electric guitar. An Epiphone Special II, just your basic $200 beginner's bargain-basement deal.
Not that I can't learn on it, I can... but I have a hankerin' for something nice. Here's why.

Ever seen www.edromanguitars.com ?? Some of thee most impressive custom-made and custom-fixed/modified instruments you've ever seen.
Alas.... a three-hour drive to the fellow's house, and he's become very popular. Thus, very busy. The other day, purely by chance, I found out about a guitar builder about 30 minutes from home...

So I stopped by his place. Holy cow!!! Talk about nice stuff! Beautiful, beautiful work. For a basic guitar--maybe a mahogany back with an exoticwood top--with a bolt-on neck, I could pay $700 or so. Considering what that kind of money buys in one of the name brands.... I see that as a kick-@ss deal!

My question, I suppose, is just one looking for opinions from those of you who are (active or potential) musicians. Thanks!!!

 

If you haven't already check you local music stores and find out when the next guitar show is. They will have tons of vendors and really great deals on stuff. And you can test everything. We have them here like 2 or 3 times a year.
My son is 6 and that is probably the last time I have done anything with music, other than listening to the radio. But I still have all my stuff.
Marshall stack 100 watt amp
Fender Lead I,
Charvel dual coil single pickup with Floyd Rose locking trembelo,
and a Stat copy
Rock On

 

Well it's not the stuff I need really... I mean the reason I'm going for this custom guitar is because it's hand-built. To get something of even marginally close quality from a Gibson or whatever, I'd have to pay probably a couple grand...

Guess I want to know if anyone's ever done the handmade instrument thing. I wonder if a show might be a good lead to find instructors at, though....!

-S2-

 

Siper2, I am considered quite an accomplished guitarist, my advise to you is above all find something you feel comfortable with. I actualy own 17 guitars. Custom, off the rack etc. My 2 favotrites are my Paul Reed Smith and my Washburn N4. They just feel right in my hands. The cost of the guitar does not neccesarily equate to your enjoyment of it. I have two custom guitars that I had built to my spec and found out I really didn't know what I wanted/ needed after spending large amounts of money. If your interested here is a quick list of my "collection"
Paul Reed Smith (PRS) custom 24, swan inlays
Washburn N4 and N2
Ibenez Jem 777 & 960 & RG 870 * Satriani edt.
Charvel Custom (POS
3 ESP guitars 1 George Lynch Sig.
Yamaha 12 and 6 String acoustic
Ovation 12 string acoustic
the list goes on.
Hope this helps!

 

Well that's one thing I hope to accomplish!
The guy I'm sure will go over lots of things with me, and so long as I keep it simple, I can build a neck that fits my hand right, and all sorts of stuff!

You, my friend, would benefit GREATLY from visiting Ed Roman's site. www.edromanguitars.com . He sells some kick-butt stuff. Best of all are supposedly the David T. McNaught guitars, which he resells.
The McNaught site is actually www.mcnaughtguitars.com . Take the Shop Tour, it's very cool!! Now *THAT* is proper guitar-building!!!

-S2-

 

Thanks for the links Siper. Now if I could only convince the GF that I need a few more guitars I'd be laughing!!!One word of warning though as you can probably tell this can become quite an addictive hobby
Good Luck!

 

Yeah it is. But so is owning a nice car!

I'm just so torn as to what to do. I mean I really want to get it, so I guess I should.
That whole "you only live once" thing. Hehe.

I'll have to sell my Epi and old car stereo equipment in order to pay for most of it, though... I'm hurtin' for cash lately.

Anyone else have a thought or two?

-S2-