Thinking about a handmade acoustic...

malcolmkindness · January 2022

Smellyfingers said:

ToneControl said:

I'd recommend calling Avalon

These are entirely hand made with no CNC input. My experience of commissioning a guitar from them was v.good.

I believe they produce an 'Americana' series for those specifically looking for that type of sound.

I'm not trying to be controversial, but there's nothing wrong with a bit of CNC where appropriate.

bertie · January 2022

malcolmkindness said:

Smellyfingers said:

ToneControl said:

I'd recommend calling Avalon

These are entirely hand made with no CNC input. My experience of commissioning a guitar from them was v.good.

I believe they produce an 'Americana' series for those specifically looking for that type of sound.

Smellyfingers said:

ToneControl said:

I'd recommend calling Avalon

These are entirely hand made with no CNC input. My experience of commissioning a guitar from them was v.good.

I believe they produce an 'Americana' series for those specifically looking for that type of sound.

I'm not trying to be controversial, but there's nothing wrong with a bit of CNC where appropriate.

quite agree, better a bit of ultra accurate CNC than a "cheap" hand made by someone who needs to go to specsavers !

Tannin · January 2022

bertie said:

malcolmkindness said:

I'm not trying to be controversial, but there's nothing wrong with a bit of CNC where appropriate.

quite agree, better a bit of ultra accurate CNC than a "cheap" hand made by someone who needs to go to specsavers !

Quite so. Compare the rather large number of owners who need to reset (hand made) Martin necks against the very small number who need to reset (CNC) Taylors. Or examine the obvious strength and beautiful precision of a (CNC) Cole Clark headstock joint, or the perfection of the (CNC) fit of the shell inlays on the fingerboards of even a lot of cheap and slightly nasty instruments, or the unmistakable richness and responsiveness of a good hand-made instrument's soundboard.

Quality is quality, and there are many different ways to achieve it. I'm firmly in favour of all of them.

(Hey, it's Sunday morning here, so I can preach a sermon if I want to.:))

Smellyfingers · January 2022

quite agree, better a bit of ultra accurate CNC than a "cheap" hand made by someone who needs to go to specsavers !

I wouldn't disagree with this, but the workmanship on my Avalon is superb and machine-like in it's consistency.

I think I got quite a good deal by sticking with their standard spec, rather than insisting on any special custom options(apart from 12 strings). But this logic might apply more to workshops than single luthiers.

I would totally second the advice, that whatever the OP decides, s/he should really try out an example of the makers work, before making a commitment.

However good Atkin, Avalon, Brooks etc are: tone and feel are very personal things that probably can't be gleaned from a YouTube video. So it may time consuming, but ordering on reputation/recommendation alone could lead to disappointment

drofluf · January 2022

Smellyfingers said:

However good Atkin, Avalon, Brooks etc are: tone and feel are very personal things that probably can't be gleaned from a YouTube video. So it may time consuming, but ordering on reputation/recommendation alone could lead to disappointment

Totally agree unless you live impracticality far away from the builder, if you’re planning to spend that sort of money, the cost of a visit is a small percentage of what you’ll pay for the guitar.

When I went to Brook my biggest fear was that I wouldn’t like the feel or sound. I was wrong on both counts….

bertie · January 2022

drofluf said:

When I went to Brook my biggest fear was

remembering how to get back out of those lanes and the releif as they get wider, and wider

on the way as you turn into every new lane, its like ever diminishing arteries

digitalkettle · January 2022

bertie said:
on the way as you turn into every new lane, its like ever diminishing arteries

You know you’re there once your wing mirrors touch both sides

bermudianbrit · January 2022

Thanks for all the advice guys:
1. I mean small builder, not necessarily 100% handmade...maybe its pure vanity, and I do have a few specific requirements, but I like the idea of something that isn't just your standard Martin...something at least slightly unique. Maybe its a bit daft and I should just shush and play a martin Om35, but its fun to explore.
2. Brook is sadly off the table because I cannot drive and cannot get anywhere near their shop on public transport lol. Atkin is super far away but maybe somewhere more local to Birmingham carries them.

I have heard good things about Santa Cruz but jesus wept they are big money due to importation lol.
Other advice mentioned in this thread is appreciated.

Tannin · January 2022

Can you not take a taxi? Compared to what you'd spend on even a cheap guitar, a taxi fare is a fleabite.

Mellish · January 2022

@bermudianbrit ; If you're paying, you're entitled to ask for what you want from a luthier, nothing "Daft" about that

. @Tannin; taxis? Oh I could tell you some stories about taxi drivers. My local town only has one Town Hall but I passed it four times in one journey on the back seat of a taxi

Benm39 · January 2022

Bear in mind there are a number of places that stock Brook guitars - Project Music in Exeter, and Coda being two who normally have a selection of their instruments. Whilst I'm loving playing the Lowden I purchased from Bruce here, I get an instant smile the moment I take the Brook Taw out of its case and play a few notes -just so light and responsive

earwighoney · January 2022

bermudianbrit said:

Thanks for all the advice guys:
1. I mean small builder, not necessarily 100% handmade...maybe its pure vanity, and I do have a few specific requirements, but I like the idea of something that isn't just your standard Martin...something at least slightly unique. Maybe its a bit daft and I should just shush and play a martin Om35, but its fun to explore.
2. Brook is sadly off the table because I cannot drive and cannot get anywhere near their shop on public transport lol. Atkin is super far away but maybe somewhere more local to Birmingham carries them.

I have heard good things about Santa Cruz but jesus wept they are big money due to importation lol.
Other advice mentioned in this thread is appreciated.

RE Brook, they deliver without any worries, they have dealers around the country though, including Coda Music, Project Music, Intersound, Mak's Guitars to name a few. Some of these shops also stock Atkin and so on. So even if a trip to Devon is out of the question, if you find yourself in London or something, try to find a shop which has a few of them in stock to try them out.

On the subject of Brook, on another forum I occasionally post on, a user is selling one of his Brook's, and he's near Manchester.

https://acousticsoundboard.co.uk/thread/13199/brook-torridge

Maybe you could visit him to try the guitar if needs be?

bertie · January 2022

bermudianbrit said:

Thanks for all the advice guys:
1. I mean small builder, not necessarily 100% handmade...maybe its pure vanity, and I do have a few specific requirements, but I like the idea of something that isn't just your standard Martin...something at least slightly unique. Maybe its a bit daft and I should just shush and play a martin Om35, but its fun to explore.
2. Brook is sadly off the table because I cannot drive and cannot get anywhere near their shop on public transport lol. Atkin is super far away but maybe somewhere more local to Birmingham carries them.

I have heard good things about Santa Cruz but jesus wept they are big money due to importation lol.
Other advice mentioned in this thread is appreciated.

two things - there are shops that stock "off the shelf" Brooks - Ivor Mairants for instance in Londinium (easy train journey ?) there is a shop just up the road from me in South Glos (Dursley) but not sure how easy it would be for you to get to

PMT - when it was Sound Control, used to stock Santa Cruz, don't know if they still do - but there may be other outlets ? (maybe Ivors again ?)

malcolmkindness · January 2022

bermudianbrit said:

Thanks for all the advice guys:
1. I mean small builder, not necessarily 100% handmade...maybe its pure vanity, and I do have a few specific requirements, but I like the idea of something that isn't just your standard Martin...something at least slightly unique. Maybe its a bit daft and I should just shush and play a martin Om35, but its fun to explore.
2. Brook is sadly off the table because I cannot drive and cannot get anywhere near their shop on public transport lol. Atkin is super far away but maybe somewhere more local to Birmingham carries them.

I have heard good things about Santa Cruz but jesus wept they are big money due to importation lol.
Other advice mentioned in this thread is appreciated.

Can I just point out that something "slightly unique" will be difficult to sell in the future if you want to move it on.
You can rule out Brook if you want the American sound, surely there is a big guitar store somewhere near you? Or as I already mentioned, take a weekend away in the Netherlands and visit TFOA for the best stock of good guitars in Europe.

Warblington · January 2022

Guitarguitar normally have a few Atkins in stock (Hagley Rd Birmingham) plus all the other top brands.Call them first as the stock you see on the website is usually located across all their outlets.

Mellish · January 2022

@Warblington ; that's where I purchased my Martin HD28. Great bunch of lads who will stick the kettle on for you as you try guitars. The shop is run by Mikey and Glen

thebreeze · January 2022

Warblington said:

Guitarguitar normally have a few Atkins in stock (Hagley Rd Birmingham) plus all the other top brands.Call them first as the stock you see on the website is usually located across all their outlets.

Yes, I went in yesterday to see if they had any Atkins in stock. They didn't, but I was told they could get them delivered from their other stores if you let them know which ones you want to try.

Warblington · January 2022

Mellish said:

@Warblington ; that's where I purchased my Martin HD28. Great bunch of lads who will stick the kettle on for you as you try guitars. The shop is run by Mikey and Glen

Spot on, very friendly and accommodating.

mikew · January 2022

I’ve had a bespoke Pete Turner resonator made for me 2 years ago. At the time I really didn’t know what I wanted other than nut and neck profile and left it to him. He asked questions and I got a great guitar that is unique and mine. Since then I’ve bought and played a fair few high end acoustics and only now have a better idea of what it is I want. And have bought things I realise are not what I want anymore hence getting sold.

I have a Turnstone coming and the process of visiting and talking with Rosie and then playing her examples is great. I’m in a better position now to make a good decision than the original resonator that I got lucky with.

I’ve also visited Ralph Bown up in York. Seeing and meeting the builders is great as lots have attested to before.

So in summary, if you want one built for you go and visit the luthier and talk with them. It’s a unique experience you don’t get just buying off the shelf. Not to say however that off the shelf is bad. Just different.

Christeafur · January 2022

bermudianbrit said:

Thanks for all the advice guys:
1. I mean small builder, not necessarily 100% handmade...maybe its pure vanity, and I do have a few specific requirements, but I like the idea of something that isn't just your standard Martin...something at least slightly unique. Maybe its a bit daft and I should just shush and play a martin Om35, but its fun to explore.
2. Brook is sadly off the table because I cannot drive and cannot get anywhere near their shop on public transport lol. Atkin is super far away but maybe somewhere more local to Birmingham carries them.

I have heard good things about Santa Cruz but jesus wept they are big money due to importation lol.
Other advice mentioned in this thread is appreciated.

Intersound in Dursley (near Gloucester - there is a train station there) have a few brooks in at the moment, Larrivees, Audens, Toons, and a couple of furchs.

Might be worth a trip to help narrow things down a bit.

bertie · January 2022

Christeafur said:

bermudianbrit said:

Thanks for all the advice guys:
1. I mean small builder, not necessarily 100% handmade...maybe its pure vanity, and I do have a few specific requirements, but I like the idea of something that isn't just your standard Martin...something at least slightly unique. Maybe its a bit daft and I should just shush and play a martin Om35, but its fun to explore.
2. Brook is sadly off the table because I cannot drive and cannot get anywhere near their shop on public transport lol. Atkin is super far away but maybe somewhere more local to Birmingham carries them.

I have heard good things about Santa Cruz but jesus wept they are big money due to importation lol.
Other advice mentioned in this thread is appreciated.

Intersound in Dursley (near Gloucester - there is a train station there) have a few brooks in at the moment, Larrivees, Audens, Toons, and a couple of furchs.

Might be worth a trip to help narrow things down a bit.

Steve, Denver and the guys are super friendly and helpful too, its where I got my Furch

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