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Need contact info for the VERY BEST luthiers in the U.S.

vikingred

vikingred

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So fed up with "luthiers" screwing up my work.  See this nightmare.  I know there is a section of this forum for a list of luthiers.  But, I want the BEST of the BEST.  Money and time is no object.  I never want to be disappointed like this again.

Please, if you can, post your short list of the very very best, and their contact info.  Many thanks.
 
Are you sure that you can afford it? The best luthiers are going to run tens of thousands of dollars.
 
Well, if that is the case John Bolin (Bolin Guitars) in Idaho is supposed to be extremely good. He still takes on a few repair jobs sometimes. Billy Gibbons uses him a lot. He's expensive. He's a decent guy though. I've spoken on the phone with him and know one person who has sourced wood for him at one time who likes him.

http://bolinguitars.com/
 
musicispeace said:
Well, if that is the case John Bolin (Bolin Guitars) in Idaho is supposed to be extremely good. He still takes on a few repair jobs sometimes. Billy Gibbons uses him a lot. He's expensive. He's a decent guy though. I've spoken on the phone with him and know one person who has sourced wood for him at one time who likes him.

http://bolinguitars.com/
Click to expand...

Wow, that looks like "the guy".  From the site: "Superb Design Meets Master Luthier Craftsmanship.  Exceptional Guitar Repair and Restoration in Boise, Idaho.  We offer extensive full service guitar repair and restoration. You can receive the state of the art care and attention for your guitar." 

That's what I'm talking about.  Prolly cost me at least $1000 to fix the guitar.  AT LEAST.
 
If money is no object perhaps you might want to think about going in the direction of a full custom build ?
 
It saddens me to see wood of that quality butchered. I can understand the sickening feeling in your gut. I'd be the same.

I'm in Australia, so obviously I can't help with any names for you but....as a suggestion..... whoever you get in, try and ascertain if they have experience with the Hannes bridge - and fitted them from scratch and also whether they are good at salvage work of the kind you will probably need for that guitar. Get them to spec out just what exactly they intend to do too. That will give you an idea of their level of competency.

From my own experience in a very shamateurish Australian scene, some guys are great at fresh set ups, some guys do well at fitting Bigsbys or routing for Floyds (with good set ups) but maybe not so good at stuff they aren't an expert with.
 
Thing is - you don't really need the best of the best of the best. You just need someone good who does right. The issue here is more about trustworthiness, reputation, basic craftsmanship and making good if you screw it up than something super esoteric.

Might be worth a look see at the unique choice tops available. Get it unfinished, have someone you've vetted route it - and then send it to someone to finish. If you're dropping unlimited coin - you can probably drop a couple fewer picking a new nice top for a new body rather than sending a hacked up guitar to someone with a very long waiting list of celebrities.

 
swarfrat said:
Thing is - you don't really need the best of the best of the best. You just need someone good who does right. The issue here is more about trustworthiness, reputation, basic craftsmanship and making good if you screw it up than something super esoteric.

Might be worth a look see at the unique choice tops available. Get it unfinished, have someone you've vetted route it - and then send it to someone to finish. If you're dropping unlimited coin - you can probably drop a couple fewer picking a new nice top for a new body rather than sending a hacked up guitar to someone with a very long waiting list of celebrities.
Click to expand...

This is a very good point.  Thank you.  :occasion14:
 
vikingred said:
...Please, if you can, post your short list of the very very best, and their contact info.  Many thanks.
Click to expand...

On TGP you will find techs and luthiers who are members of the site. You can check their technical posts through their history and decide about their knowledge. You can also check threads where they present their work (builds) and chat with them.

I read your thread and I can't understand how he calls himself a tech. I'm used from my tech (he is a luthier and builds with no CNC's) who measures everything. It doesn't matter if the Hannes bridge is not common, it's just another bridge. If he had researched the bridge online he would have seen this http://guitar-bridge.com/hp188177/Hannes-Bridge.htm?ITServ=C2d6a8bf3X15138958bc6X618 It's a detailed page with dimensions and installation instructions. If with these directions you can't put a bridge correctly you are not a tech.

 
Kostas said:
vikingred said:
...Please, if you can, post your short list of the very very best, and their contact info.  Many thanks.
Click to expand...

On TGP you will find techs and luthiers who are members of the site. You can check their technical posts through their history and decide about their knowledge. You can also check threads where they present their work (builds) and chat with them.

I read your thread and I can't understand how he calls himself a tech. I'm used from my tech (he is a luthier and builds with no CNC's) who measures everything. It doesn't matter if the Hannes bridge is not common, it's just another bridge. If he had researched the bridge online he would have seen this http://guitar-bridge.com/hp188177/Hannes-Bridge.htm?ITServ=C2d6a8bf3X15138958bc6X618 It's a detailed page with dimensions and installation instructions. If with these directions you can't put a bridge correctly you are not a tech.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reference.  And this local dude, calls himself a "luthier", not just a tech.  30 years experience.  His claim to fame is "repairs" that other people have messed up, ironically.  I gave him all the info, links, pics, spec sheets from Schaller, even a video of it being routed.  He said it's not a problem.  Charged a premium rate to butcher my body.  I feel like Don Corleone in the Godfather, after Sonny gets murdered and he's talking to the undertaker, "Look how they massacred my boy..."  and "I want you to use all your powers and all your skills..." 

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GucEgOG8d5c[/youtube]
 
Thanks everyone.  To clarify, I'm here because I LIKE building my own guitars with wood from Warmoth.  I don't really want anyone else building them for me.  The soloist had one hitch in that I do not have the tools or skills to rout for the Schaller Hannes bridge that I wanted on it.  The reason I was seeking a luthier was because the one in town who claimed to have 30 years of experience and skill butchered the rout/install job on the $815 soloist body and pissed me off (see link in first post above). 
At any rate, I like to design and put them together myself.  Thought I could trust this dude.  As my trust in the universe would have it, I have now hatched a secret plan to restore the butchered soloist to the best possible condition it can be in.  We'll see how this goes. 

One exception to the DIY is another current build I've sent to Tonar for finishing--Extra Light Swamp Ash body + bocote on canary neck.  Should be exceptional.
 
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