Some cool guitars - and a Brook

Just paid a visit to my local guitar shop and they've got some great guitars in.

Was looking for a Les Paul style guitar - which they didn't have - but they did have two very cool Fret King Teles, one with one previous owner - Jeff Beck! The other was a Jerry Donahue model, played by JD himself in the shop the other day (wish I'd seen that!)

But the real stars were the Brook acoustics. I've been looking for a high end acoustic for literally years, but never found anything sufficiently better than my Godin family acoustics to justify the price tag.

I have now. Those Brooks were outstanding. Wonderfully playable, and a beautiful sparkly tone with perfect note separation all the way down the neck.

Im now rethinking my Les Paul purchase and thinking about putting the money towards a Brook.

Anyone else tried/got one of these?

I wish we would see the Fret Kings, Itallia, Vintage, and other Trevor Wilkinson- designed guitars over here in the US. I have read the English 'Guitar and Bass' magazine for years and I see the ad's and read reviews of these guitars all the time- but never really see the guitars 'in person', and they always seem vintage-style yet innovative....

edit: used to own a great Fender JD Tele (MIJ version of the Jerry Donahue model) Great guitar, but had to sell it for the $$!

Yes, I have my eye on Brook Guitars. I actually declined to play one recently because I knew I'd love it and I would be unsatisfied with any of the guitars in my £700 price range.

In a few years time we should start seeing a few more on the second hand market.

Sounds like I've got something to look forward to.:smile:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N9QZjpb8UA

Yes, I have my eye on Brook Guitars. I actually declined to play one recently because I knew I'd love it and I would be unsatisfied with any of the guitars in my £700 price range.

In a few years time we should start seeing a few more on the second hand market.

Sounds like I've got something to look forward to.:smile:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N9QZjpb8UA

I know what you mean - I mentioned to the shop owner I'd heard good things about Brooks and he let me play a few.

I kind of wish I hadn't now because I now HAVE to own one!

I told him he would not be popular with my wife!

I wish we would see the Fret Kings, Itallia, Vintage, and other Trevor Wilkinson- designed guitars over here in the US. I have read the English 'Guitar and Bass' magazine for years and I see the ad's and read reviews of these guitars all the time- but never really see the guitars 'in person', and they always seem vintage-style yet innovative....

edit: used to own a great Fender JD Tele (MIJ version of the Jerry Donahue model) Great guitar, but had to sell it for the $$!

Was the first time I'd played a Fret King - tried a few and they were really nice guitars. Felt very well made and sounded great.

As an aside,I know it shouldn't matter, but the logo on the headstock looks so cheap and nasty for such a good guitar. Call me shallow, but it puts me off.

Call me shallow, but it puts me off.

I quite like the Fret King logo but strangely enough, don't like the pick guard shape. It's funny how small details shape our opinions.

Yes you can get the FRET KINGS and Italia guitars here at least off EBAY. Saw them today> Wow, $750 + free shipping!! in natural or sunburst off EBAY from mega_tone_music, looks like out of Atlanta, Georgia USA. Isn't that at least half what the Fender and Peavey ones were? Not as fancy wood I guess. But then pretty maple sound like plane maple. reminds me of the Benedetto archtop he made out of comercial pine to prove this point. I had never seen any of those versions so guess interest was low. Saw posts on this site when I was trying to find info on SUPERSWITCH.( Always tinkering with weard guitar wiring, should practice playing instead, haha.) Of course have several oddball teles around that was going to try the wiring on now that I think I found the diagram for it. Wonder what it sounds like if you do not put a strat neckpickup in? Probably defeats the purpose. As for the ITALIA brand I had a RIMINI 12 string electric that was very well made and cool, Sold it and about 10 other nice guitars in a moment of economic panic back in 2008.

In 2005 I was in the fortunate position (for a short time) of having enough money to buy my 'once in a lifetime' acoustic. I tried numerous guitars in the £1k - £1.5k range, Martins, Gibsons, Taylors etc but just couldn't find the right one. I realised that for a little more money I could get something made and, after a lot of dithering I rang Brook and arranged to visit them.
The upshot was that I ended up ordering a Brook Torridge and was able to specify every detail. It's got English walnut back and sides with a European spruce top, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard, Waverleys, Fishman, pyramid bridge etc etc.
Nine months later I collected it and I couldn't have been more pleased, it's the best guitar I've ever played. Plenty of other people have fallen in love with it, and not just guitarists, on several occasions people have approached me saying "I know nothing about guitars but that sounds beautiful, what is it?"
It cost me just over £2k and I don't regret a penny of it. I know I was very fortunate to be able to do it and not everyone can. But you can get a Brook for a less than that so, if you can get the money together, do it!
The other bonus of course is that Simon and Andy and the other folks at Brook are the nicest bunch of people you could hope to deal with.
Here are some photos, they don't really do it justice but they might convince you to bite the bullet.
http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/544/Brook_3.jpg
http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/544/Brook_2.jpg
http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/544/Brook_1.jpg

Hi
Which guitar shop was the Brook in ?