Boutique Telecaster company???

Does anybody know of any Boutique QUALITY handmade telecaster companies????

I have heard of King Bee.. but are there any others perhaps

Haar Guitars, a dutch company. His instruments are on par with the custom shop, if not above that level.

Oh, man, there are dozens, if not hundreds out there. I basically joined this site for having similar questions, and it seems like a learn about another one every few weeks, at least. I know that Ron Kirn is very highly regarded, as is Hahn. If I were going to get a tele-type guitar soon, I seriously consider one from this guy: http://www.crestonguitars.com/

The problem is that it's next to impossible to play any one of these guitars before buying, and especially to play them side-by-side.

You want hand assembled flip a coin, a monkey can put a Tele together.
If you want something actually handmade check out http://gilyaronguitars.com/, he goes by Preeb here and has several build threads and is one of the most helpful members of the forum. Alot of small builders can also be found here http://www.destroyallguitars.com/

Many - Danocaster, K-Line, Haan many more

Fender Custom Shop have been known to make Telecasters®.

Take a look at Bill Sheltema's (http://www.canadianbreed.com/) and Colts (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/members/colt+w.+knight.html) guitars. They look, to me, to be as well built as you can get and they're contributing forum members.

Danocaster (danocaster.com)

Fender CS and Suhr

Make sure you talk to Marc Rutters (http://ruttersguitars.com/). He not only builds custom guitars (especially Teles) but he makes the hardware for them. I have a very recent Tele style that is without doubt the most well-made guitar I have ever played. His attention to detail is really something and he is VERY knowledgeable. Most importantly, he is very nice guy and very easy to deal with. I was going to buy a CS Tele originally but I am really glad I found Marc.

Be careful. Some "builders" just assemble parts, the same parts you can buy online yourself. Go with a proper luthier who can tailor everything to your specs.

If you're in Europe there's Tao guitars in Brussels, not exactly traditionalists but they have build guitars for a certain Mr Billy F from a little known band called zz - top. They also do great repair work among their customers are some well known jazz players like Philipe Catherine and Michel Hatzigeorgiou.
Take a look at http://www.taoguitars.com

Tom Anderson (http://www.andersonguitars.com/), James Tyler (http://www.tylerguitars.com/), Bill Nash (http://www.nashguitars.com/), Rice Guitars (http://www.ricecustomguitars.com/), and Bill Crook (http://www.crookcustomguitars.com/).

Tom Anderson (http://www.andersonguitars.com/), James Tyler (http://www.tylerguitars.com/), Bill Nash (http://www.nashguitars.com/), Rice Guitars (http://www.ricecustomguitars.com/), and Bill Crook (http://www.crookcustomguitars.com/).

There was actually a nice article about Rich and Chris Rice in the latest Vintage Guitar magazine. Good job guys!

There was actually a nice article about Rich and Chris Rice in the latest Vintage Guitar magazine. Good job guys!

Thanks Straightface! It was nice to have VG look us up.:grin: Diligence pays off in the long haul..

http://www.kellyguitars.com/

Re-run,

I see you are in Indiana. Check out Rhinehart guitars. They are locals (Greenwood, IN) that can custom build you anything. They are NOT an "assembly company" their guitars are handbuilt and necks are handcarved. Their attention to detail is unbelievable and their guitars are simply beautiful. And most importatly, they are just super nice helpful guys that are easy to work with.

http://www.rhinehartguitars.com/index.html

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Jan/5_Tele_Style_Builders_You_Should_Know.aspx