Ranking The World's BEST Guitar Builders - #1 Will SHOCK You!
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- Опубликовано: 26 июл 2024
- We took our favorite boutique guitar builders and ranked them! What do you think of John's personal Top 10 List?
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00:00 - Intro
00:38 - 10
01:46 - 9
03:43 - 8
05:11 - 7
07:00 - 6
08:47 - 5
11:01 - 4
12:20 - 3
15:31 - 2
17:19 - 1
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Brave, very brave. 🙂
Boucher will always be #1 in my book. But this is a fantastic video! Thank you all.
I think Collings should be much higher than number 10. But great list!
I was absolutely thinking the same thing! Well said.
Totally agree
Collings would be in the top 5 if it were up to me, but it's not.
Given that Martins with scalloped bracing will all likely need a neck set in 5 years, I definitely vote for Collings. If you make friends with an old authorized Martin Repair Technician you can learn a lot.
@@denmar355 Wow - interesting
I had hoped to see Goodall on the list. I've tried many boutique acoustics and my Goodall Koa is still right at the top.
Nice video, couple of those luthiers I'd never heard of. I "discovered" Santa Cruz two years ago and have since had them make me two guitars, an OM and Tony Rice dread. Incredible instruments.
Should read...Top ten boutique BLUEGRASS style guitars. My #1 has got to be Lowden for overall handbuilts. If you have an opportunity to play one do it! They are pricey however as most handbuilts are. Love to see a top ten affordable boutique guitar brands video. Not sure if ten affordable brands even exist.
Lowden is absolutely incredible, this was just John's personal list!
Perfection in guitars is in the ear of the beholder. My ‘34 Kalamazoo possessed by Robert Johnson’s ghost was once a flattop and became morphed into a custom arch top with time 😂
I just got an D37 Atkin at TAS. I had just played 13 fantastic Collings at another store. One of them was a Jake Workman trade in. I played most the other brands they mention here that day as well. The Atkin is the best guitar I’ve ever played. My wife said the same thing when she played it. For 30 years I’ve been looking for a guitar better than what I had. I finally found it with the Atkin and it’s WAY better. It is the ultimate bluegrass guitar. It is my forever guitar.
As an Englishman, I'm happy Alistair Atkin made the list.
Thanks.
Owned a Froggy Bottom H14 Brazilian rosewood for many years & every year it's sound just seems to get better.
I have read they try to replicate the sound of prewar Martins.Whatever,it's simply wonderful❤.Like my Martin.
I was expecting to see Froggy somewhere on the list.
I like that you are honest about your "pre war Martin bias" and you did the video in a way that I can sort through when you were saying "these guitars are great because the pre war thing" and "these guitars are great because other reasons"
Wayne Henderson Guitars
He's making a great guitar!
It takes big ol brass balls to put forth a list like this! Good job overall. I would have mentioned "Pre War" guitars out of NC. Keep up the good work!!
I had a great conversation last month with Gareth Jenkins who voices those Preston Thompsons. Fascinating and his love of the craft is clear.
Excellent video. I agree that Collings should be higher on the ranking. But I especially wanted to strongly endorse what you said about Caleb Smith. I have met with him and agree he is a terrific person who makes amazing guitars. And finally, take a look at Wayne Henderson. Phenomenal is the word for his guitars and him. Thanks again.
I’ve played and love all of these brands. I have owned several bourgeois and my band mate has a monster Thompson, but my new Pre War Guitar Co is several steps above and the only thing I have found that even comes close to the real thing. Maybe I got lucky, but everyone seems to report strongly on them.
I can’t wait to get on this list!
The best guitar I have ever played was a Thompson owned by a man who attends the Winfield Walnut Valley Festival. And I've had many, many pre-war Martins in my hands. Thompson builds fantastic instruments.
Henderson Guitars are really top of the line. Like a ten year wait to get one made. I have never played one but have heard them played live and they have a great sound and are really cool looking. But I think you guys really had a great list. Thanks Acoustic Shoppe you guys are the best.
Thanks so much!
I played Wayne’s personal guitar and his guitars are absolutely off the charts.
I think that is a solid list and everyone has their own preferences on what guitars builders fit their style the best. I would like to have seen Huss and Dalton on the list, I have played a few of them and they all have blown me away. Maybe they will make the next video! You guys are awesome keep up the great content!
Thanks so much!
Yes, I was thinking that H&D would be in the top two or three; never had a chance to play one but I heard Dana Robinson play his at a couple of his concerts with wife Susan. And gee, is James Goodall still making his? An old acquaintance had one of his and it sounded great!
@@mikelord9860 Goodall should be there without a doubt
No Lowden? Pfft. 😁
Ive played a few Collings acoustics and didnt see what all the hype was about. Maybe it's just me though. I do love their electrics though.
One brand that did surprise me was the high end Yamaha line. Tried the LL56 and it was unbelievable.
I think Boucher was one of the first with torrification. To me that’s a key to the vintage sound. It’s great we have an excellent, affordable boutique builder here in Canada. Besides Pre War brand guitars its one of my favourites along with Santa Cruz. Never been disappointed buy these builders. Great list
It's great to listen to a guitar evolve from the beginning. It amazed me how much the sound changes and improves.
My Boucher Bluegrass Goose sounds very good, but D28 Authentic 1937 has more volume and low end. Took a year or so, tho.
My favorite is my Burchette Sloped D.
Made by luthier extraordinaire Gray Burchette in Elkin North Carolina.
Incredible tone and unparalleled playability.
I've played Collings. Like them a lot.
Martin are great of course. The standard by which all others are measured.
Nothing I've ever heard beats my Burchette.
The list, and the plentiful omissions, are a testament to the strength of the small shop industry. In the 60s and into the 70s you only had Gallagher, Mossman, and some one man shoppes on the west coast (Whitebook, David Russell Young, and a few others). Then it bloomed, and several hung in through hard times. Now…wow!
My only complaint though is that the cost of the guitars is so necessarily high that the market for them is going to be older players who have established themselves financially. Many of these brands are simply out of reach for a lot of players.
Yep. I'm being given a gift partly because I spent much of my life in 3rd world countries doing missionary work...and don't have much material wealth. The Olson being built for me is around $38k!
I also did not understand why these type of "boutique" guitar are sooo expensive compared to some others, although machined built Martins are often even more expensive - weird! But now I get it. Even though I´m 72, I enrolled in a school for building musical instruments. It takes 4 years, 5 to become a "Master". In order to build a really great sounding and excellent looking guitar, you need so much experience, love, craftmanship, luthier tools, very special quality selected tonewoods and time...... Especially experience, knowledge, craftmanship and time..... No I understand why you can´t get a Boucher for the price of a Cort or whatever factory guitar - perhaps if you a very lucky from China still. My very affordable Sigma SDR45-VS is an unbelievable guitar and I don´t think in any less slloking or sounding as a limited edition Martin D45S I once played years ago in a guitar shop & Martin dealer - its price was about 30 time that of the all solid, Adirondack topped Sigma of the same model. I am very lucky to have an Martin D35, a Yamaha LL36, 2 Collings guitars, that Sigma and a Boucher BG152GM, which I surely prefer above all...
Evidently never encountered a McAlister. Only about 400-500 built. Superb.
Y’all are amazing!
My buddy and I both have a McPherson. We describe them as the Steinway of guitars too.
Now this is shocking! I too like the ones that have their own sound... Really, there are a lot of good boutique type guitars out there. Just wish I could play one after 50 years. 😥 I ain't giving up till they pry my Telecaster from my cold, dead hands. 🤘
I really like how the bridges aren't backwards like Gibsons ...
I think those first act guitars that Walmart used to sell with no truss rod LoL 😂 seriously great list thank you!
Great video. Previous post indicated a maybe better name for it is "Top ten boutique BLUEGRASS style guitars" and I would add at boutique guitar prices. I like that you didn't say one was better than the others, just all great for their own reasons. We are in golden age of acoustic guitar builders. For this list you could have included Gallagher. On another list Furch, Yamaha custom shop, and my current favorite Alvarez-Yairi hand made. There are several others too, maybe Larrivee.
It’s a very narrow list.
@@terrymattingly6843 that´s what you get with a top 10 :-)
The comment that this could be re-titled as the "best bluegrass style" guitars is spot on. All are great choices in that category. Taylor guitars will not appeal as much to traditional acoustic players, but their popularity among younger musicians in other genres is unparalleled. The craftsmanship in the Builders Editions is amazing, and some would argue that Taylor makes the most "beautiful" acoustic guitars. The tone and style isn't suited for traditional genres like bluegrass, but they know what appeals to their audience. I own traditional acoustics like Martin, but I also own a couple of Taylors and appreciate them for what they are.
The problem I see with Taylors is exactly that - lots of cake decorating, but end of day, its basically a factory built guitar with some hands on wood intervention at key points, supplemented by rigorous QA. Nothing wrong with that, so long as you understand you're significantly overpaying for new, and the resale value is going to drop like a rock when 'intrinsic value' versus 'new' comes into play.
That is a very solid list! I have to say that one of the finest guitars I have ever played/owned was a Bourgeois OMS. If it had been a short scale, it would still be with me! Another boutique maker I am invested in is Huss & Dalton. I own three of their guitars currently.
Huss & Dalton makes wonderful guitars !
Really appreciate the list and your insights on the instruments and builders. What about Gallagher? Keep doing what you're doing.
They would probably make our top 15!
Thanks John and Jeremy. Get me a Thompson and Bedell do I can figure out where they fit, or even a Santa Cruz.
Kudos for the Caleb Smith nod!
I believe you should own one of each :-) , at the end ,the list can be really problematic as its all about what is the guitar you'll most play and come back to from this list assuming you have it all.
Thx for the video!
Enjoyed your video very much. There were a couple of the makers that I was not familiar with, but have no argument with your picks. There is a maker that you left out that I feel should make the list. Petros is a much smaller operation, father and son that recently announced their 500th guitar. So they make only so many a year, but the quality of the workmanship and the woods they select are top notch. My Petros is the best guitar I've played so far. I recently bought a Befell Bahia and it is also very nice. Thanks again for the video
Thanks for the recommendation, we'll have to check Petros out!
Would be hard not to include Lowden guitars from Northern Ireland in any top end guitars list. George builds some incredible instruments.
Definitely! I had planned on buying an OM 35 Martin that a shop had last month. I drove out there, and they just got a nice 2017 Lowden S32c. It was perfect, so i ended up with that. Going to order one directly next time im over in Ireland
I see you Ed Sheeran 😂 I mean "David Morrow"
I have a guitar built by Stephen Strahm that was pulled out of a different plane of existence. My Galloup is amazing as well.
"What's a good click-baitey headline for this list?" ---- thanks for the rundown. I have 5 Taylors but My Country Boy OM opened my eyes to what a boutique, bench-made guitar means both in sound and craft.
I have several Taylorrs - I consider them the Honda of acoustic guitars. Solid, very nice, but they aren't a Porsche or a Ferrari...that's where boutique guitars come in.
LOL at Bedell being on the list.
I guessed #1 correctly. Your #2 threw me. For me, Bourgeois would be #1 because I don't have a Thompson #2 would be Iris Guitars followed by #3 Martin Custom Shop, not necessarily just the Authentic line. #4 would be Collings followed by #5 Huss & Dalton and then #6 McPherson. However, if the question was "my Favorite manufacturers" I would have to add Kopp Guitars (Bozeman), Taylor LTD, Eastman but that's a different list
I decided to repost because I like you guys so much. I said previously that the ranking seemed a bit "skewed," but then realized I'd gotten a little sensitive when comparing your list to MY guitars. :) Then I realized that - of course - (in a good way) you were comparing these instruments mainly for their attributes as bluegrass tools, and that made great sense. Also, the list reminded me of how guitar players/lovers like me tend to be really territorial about our gear because we want to feel like we made good choices. Finally, it is really courageous to put your honest 2¢ in about the relative ranking of today's offerings. Thanks for doing this!
Thanks so much! Really the best guitar is the one that you already have & opinions are like noses, we all have one. If you're happy with your instrument, then you picked the best one!
@@AcousticShoppe absolutely!
There are no wrong answers, a really small builder with AWESOME tone out of his guitars is Gene Hansen at Traverse City Guitar Company he calls them Ainesis , hand built one at a time here in Michigan.
Thanks for watching, we'll have to check those guitars out!
Wonderful Video I am a fan of the television show
That was fun. I don’t have the patience to wait on a modern boutique build. I own a D28 style boutique built by Richard Young, upstate SC and a Martin D18. Love both and I don’t do either of those instruments justice. I’d like to see a top 10 mass market builder lineup.
We could maybe do that, spoiler alert, our number 1 is Eastman!
@@AcousticShoppe should be Yamaha!
@@Wobbz9413 ever tried the Japanese made LL series.... I don´t think that any Eastman can top that...
@@d35s2 I own anLL16D and an LL16/12. Just beautiful guitars.
Interesting list, nicely done! Tastes differ and 10 is a limited number :-) Seek out James Martin guitars from Kilkenny, Ireland and Christian Jablonski of Bad Goisern, Austria, who build amazing, creative and super clean guitars which sounds fantastic and RoZawood guitar fro Master luthier Roman Zajicek of Kolin, Czech Republic! The Czechs have some Master quality builders of Bluegrass Instruments, not only guitars, but for instance Janish banjos and Eda Kristufeks mandolins. Most of these great luthiers also play and live Bluegrass... Always enjoy your videos!
Very very true, thanks so much for the recommendations!
I'm sure it's not easy to make a list like this without a lot of omissions. I have a 2018 Yairi DYM60 that matches my 2020 Boucher BG-52GM easily in terms of sound and build quality. It's amazing how little respect those masters in Japan get here in the USA.
Yep, this is a silly exercise. I have a Boucher as well I don't own a Yairi but I've played some gems that are every bit as good.
It’s because of the confusion of Yairi… luthier built… and Alvarez-Y… mass produced.
Totally agree. Visited the Yairi factory a few days ago. Their guitars are the equal of any of my Santa Cruz, Lowden, Martin etc. Met the luthier who will build my custom shop (from start to finish built by one man).
Grit Laskin, and Larrivee. For sure am glad to see you got Boucher in there. Canadian eh
You nailed it I think, their will be alot of Collings fans upset but, I have to agree 100%. I recently heard a Smith guitar and yaa wow.. you guys need to look up JIMI PARK.. he will blow your minds! Very much a modern, fingerstyle super crazy high end builds. He does two different tonewoods like cocobolo back with maple sides with a red burst to tie in, just wow... I would buy nothing but Park guitars if I could! But as I said 100% modern style builder.
We could check them out!
@@AcousticShoppe Absolutely do! His builds are some of the best I've ever seen. His miter snd purfling work is the best I've ever seen! And he applys alot of science to his voicing and intonation!
Henderson, Jimmy Edmonds, are hard to beat
Great list! missing pre-war, I'm on the list atm for a oo-28. 24 months left. :-(
We really haven't gotten our hands on too many Pre-War's to properly put them in this list, but we know they're incredible! That wait is gonna be so worth it!
Jerry Rosa makes some really nice increments
John - looks like this video focuses on dreadnaught guitars. Are you considering doing a video on other models as well?
Thompson has a lot of the luthiers who used to work at Breedlove.
Bedell is one of the Breedlove brands (or Two Old Hippies brands).
Man, y’all just asking for trouble.😆 I agree with most of your list only I’ve never played a Bedell that would have gotten that high. Maybe they’re making some killer custom shop stuff though
Definitely try some of their latest builds, they are incredible!
Overall, I like your list. Smith is a builder who I can’t seem to find any guitars available currently..
Boutique builder in Florida by the name of Chris Alvarado builds guitars under the name Driftwood Guitars. You should check them out!
I like your channel very much. Thanks!
Thanks so much, we know a little about Driftwood!
I have a Boucher and it's the best guitar that I have ever played. The sound is big and clean!
Fully agree! Beats my Martin and 2 Collings BG152GM, amazing!!!
@@d35s2 Yup!!! An amazing guitar!! Thank you Robin Boucher!!!!
Gee, there are so many really excellent small shop builders of guitars. You can emerse yourself in videos related to each and spend a couple days watching non-stop.
If you step outside of restricted to Uncle Sam's States in America. Great Britian has some fabulous builders and Michael Watts based in Surrey UK who is both a reknowed player and filmaker has an entire long running series on luthier's he has encountered embeded in his RUclips productions. Some he highlights are American & some from the UK.
Frankly, of all the luthier based videos I have seen to date the luthier that really sticks out was highlighted in a video related to Mark Knopflier's six most memorable guitars. The guitar builder has a shop at his home outside of NYC, built an Arch-Top for Mark, places a Radio City inlay/engraving on the headstock and has a good Italian name thats spelled something like Monteleone.
Then of course we still have Rick Turner, Steve Klein who also impressed me a bit above the rest, Fred Carson and on &.....
So so true, we are truly in an amazing age of guitar builders all around the world!
Gentlemen I love what you are doing …and love this post.
I’m not sure if your aware of this amazing builder… Dowina ( Dob e na )from Bratislava …. I happen to own one, and the price to quality is outstanding.
Richard’s Guitars from the UK bleeds Dowina.
Check them out.
Siren Guitars and Wright's lutherie is well worth a look as well
Thanks for the recommendation!
Very nice job gentlemen, all fine instruments. Out of curiosity, where would Froggy Bottom and Petros rank in your opinion?
We really haven't had enough experience with those brands to properly put them in this list, but maybe one day we can review some, especially Froggy Bottom, we've heard nothing but great things!
@@AcousticShoppe Thanks for your reply. Petros and McPherson are both Wisconsin builders about 160 miles apart.
Froggy Bottom is based in Vermont and makes only about 75 guitars a year. Petros might make even less than that.
Both are rather small builders and both Bruce Petros and Michael Millard got their start in the early 1970’s like Richard Hoover and Dana Bourgeois. All very fine builders in their own right.
If you ever get a chance to try or review a Froggy Bottom I think you’ll be impressed. The few I’ve seen have been incredible instruments.
Bob thompson all the way. No comparison
What do John and Jeremy's take on Pre-War guitar company guitars and how do they compare to Preston Thompson guitars?
John says they are very comparable, but Thompson has the edge on having a cleaner build. John says they are one of the cleanest guitar companies he's every seen.
Lowden and Mcilroy from Ireland. Maestro Guitars from Singapore. Headway Guitars from Japan. GT Guitars from Vietnam. An amazing builder from North Carolina... Richie Crowder of Crowder Guitars.
Yairi from Japan. Maton in Australia, all though not so "boutique" these days.... you could go on for ever, if not for the amerkin bias!
@@Wobbz9413 I love Yairi guitars from the 70s and early 80s. Have not played a Maton unfortunately.
@@ramonaviles1582 Ive played a few Matons, being an Aussie. I think the older ones are a bit better, but they have priced themselves out of my market. I like Yamaha for quality and price. I have a couple of LL16s
I own two Bedell Guitars but I favor Martin, Guild, and Masterwork Alvarez as my go to instruments.
I totally agree with you. My Alvarez acoustic is my favorite
What guitar are you holding, John? Great video by the way! 🤠
It's my Bourgeois LSH Madi
Very good guys! Probably the best boutique builder is out there yet and waiting to be discovered and known... Ever heard of Dowina?
the guitars from Poland? Have seen info on them, look great, never heard nor seen one yet. Must find out.
@@d35s2 Dowina guitars are made in Slovakia, astonishing quality even on the cheaper guitars they make... You'll not believe it until you play one.
Surprised Froggy Bottom didn't make the list.
How about McIlroy, Lowden and now closed Melbourne Guitars? All three exquisite builders.
If money were no object and my playing could ever justify it... Ben Wilborn. Oh, to have a Brazilian Rosewood Nautilus!!!
Michael Greenfield, John Monteleone, Nick Kukich (Franklin Guitar Co.), Stephen Strahm - different planet from the others.
So you would rank Huss & Dalton, Gallagher out of top ten? Great video. I have a Boucher JP Cormier. Love it. Trying to decide next boutique. Want dreadnought. Have always loved the looks of the Bourgeois Banjo Killer. Also considering Pre-War Guitar Co, Huss and Dalton, Gallagher, Yamaha LL36 or 56
Exactly. Where is Gallagher? Huss and Dalton?
@@cfmartin568 Yes H & D, no Gallagher and definitely NOT Bedel
You guys realize this is a long ad for the guitars these guys sell - right?
If they don’t carry it, it won’t be mentioned.
Don’t forget, this is their business and they make money off clicks.
That's not completely true, we actually don't carry some of these brands (Collings, Smith Santa Cruz), & this is just John's personal list, based on what he has experience playing. Pre-War would most likely make this list, we just haven't had a ton of experience playing with them to properly put them in the list. As for the other brands, it is so so hard to narrow it down to just ten!
What about Huss&Dalton and Froggy bottom. What do you both think?
Good, solid list as far as dreds go. I like that you included several brands that don't require being on a 2 year waiting list to get one. They don't fit in the bluegrass / dred category, but as far as guitars go, Lowden is high on my list. Individually voiced, and a good mix of tonewoods that you may not expect. Mostly best for fingerstyle.
I agree! I play most of the time my Boucher BG152GM - incredible guitar! - I have a CJ IRW and > D42A Collings - which I loved until I got my Boucher (for some reason so much easier to play and a little warmer and less agressive tone, an amazing hand made Yamaha LL36 and of course my old ´70 D35, but I have played a few Lowden and they are absolutely great sounding guitars, beautifully made etc. Certainly worth a try.
Wondering if you consider Waterloo by Collings to be included in his offerings?
What guitar brand are you holding in this video?
That is John's Bourgeois Large Soundhole Madagascar Dread!
Best guitar I’ve ever heard was a Sobell guitar in the hands of finger style maestro Martin Simpson.
Here in Australia it's Girard Gillet (if you can afford one), Greg Smallman (yes, I know he is famous for his classical guitars BUT he has made steel string guitars!), Brian deGrucci. There are other great luthiers such as Jim Redgate over here but I don't who they are. Tommy Emmanuel would know of them I'm sure. I heard Billy Strings on RUclips playing a Preston Thompson guitar; very impressive.
Cool, it's interesting to hear about builders all over the world!
@The Acoustic Shoppe mandolins
@The Acoustic Shoppe I
😊😊
Hello, and thanks for this comparison video. Can you give me the current waiting time for a Preston Thompson guitar? Thanks.
16 months until wood enters the queue. 24 months to delivery.
@@bryanlemeilleurtexas Do they allow amendments after the wood enters the queue? For example changing the neck size?
Martin has been underwhelming every time I’ve played one. I think Huss and Dalton are top notch and would have liked to see them on here as well as prewar guitar co
Sorry about your ears.
I agree. I absolutely love my custom D28. It sounds great but it doesn’t come close to any of the well known boutique builders I’ve tried. I’ve also seen pretty serious issues with build quality in the three Martins I’ve owned. Great sounding guitars for being mass produced, but their reputation among the enthralled fanboys isn’t warranted IMO. I’m not sure it even sounds better than my Taylor 910. But I’m positive it doesn’t touch the Taylor in build quality.
Molly Tuttle played H&D until Prewar and Thompson got in her hands. Now she never plays it onstage.
So I guessed right about Preston Thompson as "their" number 1 pick. These fellows obviously know way more than I since they actually get to touch and play these beauties. But they may be a little biased since they come from sales, hold traditional blue grass values, and are talking "new" guitars. Personally, I'm exploring bango finger style guitar picking, blue grass jazz, and some modern tones that a Santa Cruz might not fit. Their bias does tell me something important, however, that some guitars, like maybe an Olson, are not best for blue grass, which may be an important detail.
I've been following Gabriella Quevedo and her phenominal playing,mostly Taylor for her.
Jimmy Edmond guitars
I've been playing for 45 years. Never heard of Edmonds till a couple years ago when a friend at a recording studio told me. I checked him out and now I have a special build on order. He is about 1-1/2 years out on orders right now. Shop is in Galax Virginia. Look up Shawn Brock on youtube. He has demoed, and bought several for himself. Jimmy is a awesome musician himself.
Roy Noble Americas first handmade guitar. In the early 1960s you choice for acoustic steel string guitars were CF Martin, Gibson/Epiphone, Guild, & Favila. Roy was a classically trained violin luthier, made classical flamenco guitar and in 1961 made his first steel string guitar. Luthiers influenced by Roy: Ren Ferguson, David Russell Young, Mark Whitebook, Stuart Mossman, NBN, Ken Addams, Don Musser, David Mattingly, Bob Taylor, Jose Oribe. Roy developed techniques, tools and fixtures that every luthier uses to build their instruments. Roy passed away a little over 2 ½ years ago. No CNC, Roy made everything* by hand, even herringbone purfling and binding. 553 guitar built during his lifetime. I had rather orivkedge o& studying with Developed the original butt joint neck method, modified it to use machine bolts evolving into on complete removable neck attachment system which Bob Taylor borrowed ( aka stole ). Roy developed and sold the Radius dish to properly put a radius on the kerfing on the top and back of the body, developed and sold the first micro plunge router system , that has been copied by StewMac, and Veritas. When I was working with Roy I built most of the Noble #069 three piece Brazilian/Sitka dreadnought tear became Clarence Whites main Acoustic guitars. Roy also rebuilt Clarence’s D-28 ( bought from McCabes Music Santa Monica,Ca) reset the neck as the neck was off the body’s when they bought the guitars and installed the Gretsch inlay free ebony fretboard with a 25.25” scale ( Martin long scales is 25.4 “. Over the next few year Clarence bought two more Noble guitars.
Did you have a look at any guitars from the Antipodes? Like Maton or Cole Clark. I am sure that these luthiers instruments would fall into the boutique guitar category.
Maton not so "boutique" these days. But yes, some nice guitars. Not sure they still stand up these days against boucher, santa cruz etc. And for these guys to include martin in a boutique list is just a joke. Mass produced with poor quality control and relying on their past reputation!
Here to show some love to Huss and Dalton.
I would add Mossmsn guitars, my favorite
One company i would have mentioned even though they arent so much boutique but i own 3 of them is FURCH. They put out the best guitars in mass ive ever heard and seen, and im a luthier at Bourgeois!
Yeah they're kinda a level below boutique but we do absolutely love Furch's - honorable mention for sure!
Interesting list. I can't really argue as I haven't played any of those other than a Martin, although I have heard quite a few which is good to get an idea of tone, just lacking the feel which can matter
In terms of guitars I have I have a Lowden O35 that is a great sounding guitar and they have built a great reputation One of the best sounding guitars I heard was a Gerald Sheppard, also Greven make some great sounding guitars and there is Bagnasco & Casati in Italy that make some wonderful guitars based on Gibson and Martin classics
Lowdens are super great guitars, but these guys don't sell them, so they won't make the list. Gerald Sheppard retired.
@@mvp019 Oh I wasn't calling for Lowden to be on the list only mentioning that they make some great guitars. I've had two probably too good for a player like me but when you play like I do you need all the help you can get.
Shame about Gerald retiring but I'm sure he's happy enough to put his feet up
We actually do sell Lowden's, we weren't really limiting the list to what we sell, it was just John's personal list. Either way, it was very hard to choose!
@@AcousticShoppe Great to know, and apologies! When I hit the Lotto I will buy my Lowden from you guys!
@@mvp019 They make an incredible guitar!
Kevin Kopp... Bozeman, MT
British maker ...... Fylde Guitars !!
Have you tried Maton Guitars from Australia?
Boucher is my favourite custom builder..... from parlor to super jumbos.....
Henderson , Dudenbostel , Cunningham ?
If you ever run across one, check out Leo Posch. Fantastic guitars.
What guitar is John Playing/holding in the video?
That is John's Bourgeois, it's a large sound hole dread in Madagascar!
@@AcousticShoppe looks and sounds great!
H&D , Larrivee, and not sure if Froggy B is still building
What? No mention of Olson (James Taylot's favourite) guitars?
Btw: Santa Cruz also produces their Parabolic Tension strings, they come in Mid and Low tensions, NOT gauges. According to Richard Hoover these strings "are engineered to do what others cannot, to put the exact tension on each individual string to create the appropriate download pressure. These calculated tensions determine the optimal relative volume between strings, or EQ, for your instrument". Unfortunately, they are quite pricey, up to AU$ 40.00 here in Australia...
Ryan and Olson should be on the list!
McPherson started out making compound bows
Surprised to find Huss & Dalton and PWGC not make the list.