Custom Built Guitars Question.

[rolloman]

I have custom built 3 guitars from the ground up using Warmoth bodies and necks. All the rest of the components were chosen using the top end manufacturers etc. I've been thinking about possibly selling one or two of them to fund my next project. I have heard though from others that guitar builds like this usually only bring about 50% of what they cost to build and parting them out is the only way to recoup anything close to what was spent. I know there's always exceptions but is this what your experiences have been to those who have done the same.

 

[Hbom]

Strange but true.

 

[rolloman]

I guess they would rather buy something more expensive then a home build then  mod to bring up to the home built custom, or else buy manufacturers custom shop guitars for 3 times the amount.

 

[sixstringsamurai]

I guess they would rather buy something more expensive then a home build then  mod to bring up to the home built custom, or else buy manufacturers custom shop guitars for 3 times the amount.

d

That and the contingent of folks that just don't have the skills to do what we as hobbyist and professionals alike take for granted
Name branding is ALWAYS gonna win out, because only a (Insert brand here) is good enough.

 

[dmraco]

The sad thing is if a guitar has $1000 in parts, if you add a brand names it will likely sell do $1500.

I have a number of friends tell me I should build guitars for a living.  I would starve.  I have more fun and less stress doing one off orders and rehabbing used guitars.

The most I have ever charged anyone is $150 after all my cost was calculated.

 

[rolloman]

I guess they would rather buy something more expensive then a home build then  mod to bring up to the home built custom, or else buy manufacturers custom shop guitars for 3 times the amount.

d

That and the contingent of folks that just don't have the skills to do what we as hobbyist and professionals alike take for granted
Name branding is ALWAYS gonna win out, because only a (Insert brand here) is good enough.

Yeah even if it is 50's technology.

 

[rolloman]

I have more fun and less stress doing one off orders and rehabbing used guitars.
The most I have ever charged anyone is $150 after all my cost was calculated.

The same guitar you made $150 you would have lost $500 had it not been a one off for a particular customer. Unless you parted it out then you still would never break even.

 

[rgand]

I have custom built 3 guitars from the ground up using Warmoth bodies and necks. All the rest of the components were chosen using the top end manufacturers etc. I've been thinking about possibly selling one or two of them to fund my next project. I have heard though from others that guitar builds like this usually only bring about 50% of what they cost to build and parting them out is the only way to recoup anything close to what was spent. I know there's always exceptions but is this what your experiences have been to those who have done the same.

How about parting out a guitar or two for yourself? Sell maybe the necks and/or bodies on ebay and use the rest of the parts to build a new guitar or two.

 

[rolloman]

Yep may just do that. Best way to keep my hobby alive.

 

[sixstringsamurai]

Yep may just do that. Best way to keep my hobby alive.

Yup, I am currently face lifting two Non W axes, My MIK Hamer 335 derivative, and more recently, an MIK Warlock.
Both of which are built out of 99% recycled parts....

The hamer I had to buy a pup for and the warlock was missing the trem hardware, the only thing I don't have kicking around.

It's amazing how many you can build with +/- 10 years worth of spare parts build up.