I can’t imagine a better guitar, than one that’s been built by someone who puts their heart and soul into creating it. Great video Monty...and such a beautiful guitar.
Monty, as a former professional musician, I can relate completely to what you've said. My world was brass, but it sounds very similar. Before many of the custom brass instrument manufacturers existed (and I managed one for a time), it was common for serious brass musicians to make a journey to New York City just to visit the famous Giardinelli Music (when it existed there) to pick out their instrument. During my visit, I asked them for a half dozen of the "same" factory produced model of instrument and sat in a room until I was able to select "my" instrument out of the bunch. There were subtle but important differences.
Those are some really good points. I didn’t think of half of those points last time I purchased a guitar! And I think that’s another reason why this channel is so great because you really opened everyone’s eyes to what really goes into making a custom guitar. The attention to detail alone is a complete game changer
Great comparison and very important points to consider. BTW would love to hear the new guitar played by the gentlemen you had on earlier playing one of your guitars. Thoughts? As always Monty, thank you!
41 years ago i met Los Indios Tabajaras after their farewell concert here in Vancouver, While talking with them i was holding one of their classical guitars which cost them 7.000.00 dollars to have made in the day. Not sure what it would be worth now but the sound they got was amazing. Buy the best you can and it will last and always sound good. I look forward to your next project. Have fun playing your guitar Monty and have a good weekend.
That's a name i haven't heard for a long time. Los Indios Tabajaras were very popular here in Australia as well. I can still have Maria Elena running in my head pretty easily.
Hi Monte, You make some great points in pricing. I am an artist working with oil paints. I am also a teacher and often have conversations about valuing art. It's a tricky equation that I think has value beyond the hours it took to create. Custom work with high end materials by a master craftsman should come at a premium price. As you point out, I cannot make a painting that you can buy at the home goods store for the same price. But I don't compare my work with that. Your work shouldn't be compared to a mass produced guitar. They don't compare. I have enjoyed each of your videos throughout this build and I look forward to the next. Cheers to a great work! Hope to hear it played soon.
The beginnings of a good discussion there on what a craftsman's time is worth. I've spent time in custom guitar workshops and it's intoxicating being around such people. When I made my own guitar I bought some Brazilian rosewood from a custom guitar builder. It formed a small proportion of the guitar but was one of the most expensive elements. And for an extraordinary custom guitar, check this one out. Chris Amer is a Scottish guitarist who had an arm injury and now has limited rotational movement in his left arm. This means a full scale guitar is hard to reach. He worked with a luthier in Edinburgh and they came up with a five string tenor guitar (normally a four string with shorter scale length) but with a very impressive headstock that gives an extended tonal range. The guitar build is absolutely beautiful, but the innovative way to accommodate his injury is inspiring. www.taranguitars.co.uk/chris-amer
I think a custom is something you aspire to. There are different levels of factory guitars and IMO the main benefit is the warranty. In general I think that Yamaha makes the best starter guitar but I prefer those made in North America. I think $1000 is the least you should spend on a lifetime guitar if you’re using it outside or in public venues but $3K for a “workhorse.” The fancy/custom stuff is better for more posh gigs.
I think I would of pratice more as a kid with my guitar if I had a Monty exclusive guitar. If I was a pro guitarist I would definitely get a custom. Exactly what you said. There is a specific sound, action on the guitar. If I Am playing jazz, classical, rock, folk. They all would require a certain sound for that genre of music. And what the artist requires for the instrument. Since I'm a hack I'll get the commercial bought guitar. My playing is not worthy of a custom. I also would not know what sound to prefer.
I can’t imagine a better guitar, than one that’s been built by someone who puts their heart and soul into creating it.
Great video Monty...and such a beautiful guitar.
Thank you so much.
Monty McKinnon Happy Fathers Day weekend!☕️🎸💜
Monty, as a former professional musician, I can relate completely to what you've said. My world was brass, but it sounds very similar. Before many of the custom brass instrument manufacturers existed (and I managed one for a time), it was common for serious brass musicians to make a journey to New York City just to visit the famous Giardinelli Music (when it existed there) to pick out their instrument. During my visit, I asked them for a half dozen of the "same" factory produced model of instrument and sat in a room until I was able to select "my" instrument out of the bunch. There were subtle but important differences.
Oh Tom, you are so right. Thanks for your support.
Those are some really good points. I didn’t think of half of those points last time I purchased a guitar! And I think that’s another reason why this channel is so great because you really opened everyone’s eyes to what really goes into making a custom guitar. The attention to detail alone is a complete game changer
Thank you so much you are very kind.
So thoughtful and thought-provoking, Monty. Really gives us a lot to consider. I was quite surprised by most of what you said.
Thanks! I appreciate your comment.
Always a pleasure watching you discuss a subject.
Thank you Dave.
Great comparison and very important points to consider. BTW would love to hear the new guitar played by the gentlemen you had on earlier playing one of your guitars. Thoughts? As always Monty, thank you!
I would love to get him back here. I'll see what I can do.
41 years ago i met Los Indios Tabajaras after their farewell concert here in Vancouver, While talking with them i was holding one of their classical guitars which cost them 7.000.00 dollars to have made in the day. Not sure what it would be worth now but the sound they got was amazing. Buy the best you can and it will last and always sound good. I look forward to your next project. Have fun playing your guitar Monty and have a good weekend.
Thanks so much. You as well.
@@MontyMcKinnon Will Do!
That's a name i haven't heard for a long time. Los Indios Tabajaras were very popular here in Australia as well. I can still have Maria Elena running in my head pretty easily.
Great video, Monty! Thank you very much!
My pleasure!
Hi Monte,
You make some great points in pricing. I am an artist working with oil paints. I am also a teacher and often have conversations about valuing art. It's a tricky equation that I think has value beyond the hours it took to create. Custom work with high end materials by a master craftsman should come at a premium price. As you point out, I cannot make a painting that you can buy at the home goods store for the same price. But I don't compare my work with that. Your work shouldn't be compared to a mass produced guitar. They don't compare.
I have enjoyed each of your videos throughout this build and I look forward to the next.
Cheers to a great work!
Hope to hear it played soon.
Thanks so much.
Always learn something thanks Monty
Right on
I probally go custom because it help my local luthier and also the price relative same to factory guitar (stantard epiphone or squier)
Plus you can customize your guitar build.
The beginnings of a good discussion there on what a craftsman's time is worth. I've spent time in custom guitar workshops and it's intoxicating being around such people. When I made my own guitar I bought some Brazilian rosewood from a custom guitar builder. It formed a small proportion of the guitar but was one of the most expensive elements.
And for an extraordinary custom guitar, check this one out. Chris Amer is a Scottish guitarist who had an arm injury and now has limited rotational movement in his left arm. This means a full scale guitar is hard to reach. He worked with a luthier in Edinburgh and they came up with a five string tenor guitar (normally a four string with shorter scale length) but with a very impressive headstock that gives an extended tonal range. The guitar build is absolutely beautiful, but the innovative way to accommodate his injury is inspiring.
www.taranguitars.co.uk/chris-amer
That was great to see and hear. Thank you so much.
The best guitar for me is my own home-build.
It has love and sweat built into it. They always sound better.
I think a custom is something you aspire to. There are different levels of factory guitars and IMO the main benefit is the warranty. In general I think that Yamaha makes the best starter guitar but I prefer those made in North America. I think $1000 is the least you should spend on a lifetime guitar if you’re using it outside or in public venues but $3K for a “workhorse.” The fancy/custom stuff is better for more posh gigs.
Ya, I encourage players to take a work horse and save their better guitar for really important gigs.
The perceived value of skilled craftsmanship is tough for a lot of people to understand. As an aside, I had no idea rosewood was that expensive🤯
For Most players Brazilian would be their number one choice. It is expensive because we can't get it here in Canada.
@@MontyMcKinnon More knowledge, thank you!
Monty, what is the sound board made of ? the one in your left hand.. thx
They are both sitka spruce.
I think I would of pratice more as a kid with my guitar if I had a Monty exclusive guitar. If I was a pro guitarist I would definitely get a custom. Exactly what you said. There is a specific sound, action on the guitar. If I Am playing jazz, classical, rock, folk. They all would require a certain sound for that genre of music. And what the artist requires for the instrument. Since I'm a hack I'll get the commercial bought guitar. My playing is not worthy of a custom. I also would not know what sound to prefer.
Thanks Patrick!
I see no point in buying a custom guitar if you can't make money on it, or if you are made of cash. But if it was my profession, I would go custom.
If you can afford one do it. Buy once and have it for a lifetime.
Not a real and fair comparison. Compare a $5000 factory guitar with a $5000 costom. That would be meaningful.
Not too many store bought guitars have a french polish. But it I was to spend $5,000 I think I would go custom hand crafted. They have great sound.