Nash / K-line / Revelator Teles

BillyG · April 2nd, 2008, 05:06 PM

As near as I can tell, these builders (or assemblers) all have similar looking work. If you don't like relics read no further.

http://www.nashguitars.com

http://www.k-lineguitars.com

http://www.revelatorguitarworks.com

Does anyone have any experience with these guys. $1,200 - $1,600 looks OK for a semi hand built instrument. Thoughts?

ajgus · April 2nd, 2008, 05:10 PM

Billy, no experience here. But, thanks for the posts. Cool stuff!

csapo · April 2nd, 2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyG

As near as I can tell, these builders (or assemblers) all have similar looking work. If you don't like relics read no further.

http://www.nashguitars.com

http://www.k-lineguitars.com

http://www.revelatorguitarworks.com

Does anyone have any experience with these guys. $1,200 - $1,600 looks OK for a semi hand built instrument. Thoughts?

I've got a K-Line T-style which is terrific. I also had a second, which I just traded for a K-Line S-style. This S-style is also terrific. Chris does great work.

I've noticed some retailer's Nash prices are climbing above the $1600 level. And I believe the Revalator prices are in the $2000.00+ range.

There is also Bob, at ThisOldGuitar.net who does very nice work and Billy at rocknrollrelics.net. Also, let's not forget RiceCustomGuitars.20m.com.

K-Line I still have - K-Line I just traded away - ThisOldGuitar currently for sale

kingalingus · April 3rd, 2008, 12:57 PM

Do any of these builders shape their own necks and cut their own bodies or do the just assemble "off the shelf" parts? What do you have to spend to get a real "hand made" Tele and where do you go?

Wild Rice Chris · April 3rd, 2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingalingus

Do any of these builders shape their own necks and cut their own bodies or do the just assemble "off the shelf" parts? What do you have to spend to get a real "hand made" Tele and where do you go?

We do.

amp boy · April 3rd, 2008, 01:40 PM

www.ronkirn.com
www.crestonguitars.com

Southern ILL · April 3rd, 2008, 02:00 PM

Love my K-line strat...as good as any I have played.BUT I will say my next "purchased" guitar will hands down be a Creston.....I don't think you could do any better than that and in the price range you have mentioned.He will build it how you want it....

toogoodd · April 3rd, 2008, 02:02 PM

nashguitars are fairly popular here in south korea and there is dealer here. i think the money is worth every bit of it. i've tried the S63 and 52 telecaster and it just blew me away.

BillyG · April 3rd, 2008, 06:09 PM

I just spent the better part of today looking at builder sites and my head is spinning. There are lots of talented people in the world and now I'm more confused than ever. Especially when you consider price and resale value.

Southern ILL · April 3rd, 2008, 06:38 PM

I bought my K-line from the first owner...$815 w/hardcase.I wouldn't sell it for under $1000.IF your wanting something thats exactly what you want and not just something the "Big Guy" pumps out everyday then go for the Creston or the K-line..but when talking resale..you better try for a Fender CS....might not be exactly what you want but if you by used you won't lose alot and it will most likely become more valuable over time.Relic'd CS Teles' for around your price range maybe hard to find but are out there.

Me-Give me $1600.00 and I am sending it to Creston Lea !!!! Sugar-Pine Tele body-2 Lollar P-90 pickups-Non-tradiational finish(Gretsch Orange maybe)-Copper or Brass pickguard-Cut down tele top-Loader bridge and attention to detail like no other !! I'm droolin'....

harry the filter · April 3rd, 2008, 07:21 PM

Hey Billy-- I ordered a Nash 50's Tele with a fat neck and Lollars and could not be more pleased with the way it sounds, plays, feels and looks. I compared it to my 98 CS Nocaster and make the following observations:

1. The pickups on the Nash and the 98 are very similar at first, but after spending time A/B'ing them, the Lollars in the Nash are a little more aggressive, with good spank which is what I expected. What I wasn't expecting was how well it does the Whole Lotta Love LZ II thing. Nice surprise there. The 98 CS (Cunetto Relic)is sweeter. It has a smoother top end than the Lollars. Both get the job done in a real nice way, but if I were going to do a show that had to cover classic or southern rock sounds and maybe some modern country most of the evening, and could only take one of these two, I'll take the Nash 2 out of 3 times. If it's more classic country and some pop, the 98 will go.

2. The Nash has no finish on the back of the neck. I really like that feel, especially if it's an outdoor show, compared to the 98 which is full lacquer jacket and can get a little sticky. Less of an issue for indoor shows. Slight edge to Nash.

3 The frets on the Nash are 6105s while the 98 has smaller, more vintagey frets. I like bigger frets, and since this can't be a totally objective comparison, Advantage Nash.

4. The Value on the Cunetto seems to be rising steadily, while the Nash is holding steady-- hardly ever see one under $1400. The fact is that it holds its value better than a lot of the contemporary Fender Custom Shop offerings is pretty strong. Advantage 98, but no real disadvantage to the Nash.

5. I really don't worry about taking the Nash anywhere. It's solidly built, relic'd, and could come in handy as an object of self-defense (see Uninvited Stage Guests thread). I might not want to take the 98 everywhere. It is a true work horse. Advantage Nash.

6. As you might guess, the relic job on the Cunetto is second to none. The Nash is convincing, but not to the same degree. Advantage: 98

Bottom line, The Nash is a great guitar in every way. It is about as true a working man's guitar as I've ever owned' and if the things I outlined above might also be of concern to you, I don't see how you can go wrong. I would definitely buy it again.

If I could only have one of those two guitars? Hey, I didn't just fall off the turnip truck :-)

Brick · April 3rd, 2008, 10:02 PM

I've played on a dz Nash guitars and all were really good and worth the bucks, IMHO.

I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I couldn't roll my own.

serialsteve · April 4th, 2008, 12:32 PM

Do a search on here if you want, but I have nothing good to say about Revelator, so I won't!

BillyG · April 4th, 2008, 01:40 PM

Here's how I spent my day yesterday:

http://www.nashguitars.com
http://www.crookcustomguitars.com
http://www.k-lineguitars.com
http://www.revelatorguitarworks.com
http://www.ronkirn.com
http://www.crestonguitars.com
http://www.glendaleguitars.com
http://www.detempleguitars.com
http://www.ricecustomguitars.com

Also, if the above sites had any links or distributers, I went there too.

bluesjuke · April 26th, 2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harry the filter

Hey Billy-- I ordered a Nash 50's Tele with a fat neck and Lollars and could not be more pleased with the way it sounds, plays, feels and looks.

I've been looking all over the web all week for one of these but they go fast- more often than notsold before they ever get to the dealer.

I'm also looking for a Vintage White so that makes it even harder to find.

bluesfordan · April 26th, 2008, 02:49 PM

I had a nash tele that I really liked a lot. If a certain guitar hadn't come around, I'd would still have it. Mine was a '63 T style, rosewood board, tortoise pickguard, white blond finish. Relic job on it was the usual Nash heavy relic, which worked quite well with rosewood. I believe it had Lollars for pickups. Sounded great, played even better. I got it for a very reasonable price, and made almost all my purchase price back when I sold it.

I'd get another in a heartbeat. Maybe even two, as I like his strats, too.

harry the filter · April 26th, 2008, 03:39 PM

Bluesjuke--I ordered mine through Rick at Guitar Hanger. It took a few months, but it was worth the wait. You might want to consider going that route yourself so you can get just what you want.

bluesjuke · April 26th, 2008, 04:18 PM

I was considering that.
I heard that you can still special order from Nash but by the dealer ordering it as part of his stock.

Meanwhile I have found a Nash Esquire that is really close to what I'm looking for that I could add a neck pu too.

mowcheeba · April 26th, 2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southern ILL

Love my K-line strat...as good as any I have played.BUT I will say my next "purchased" guitar will hands down be a Creston.....I don't think you could do any better than that and in the price range you have mentioned.He will build it how you want it....

What price range are we talking about? The images in the Creston gallery
looks great.

62_Inca_Esquire · April 26th, 2008, 07:52 PM

Don't forget Mark Jenny.

Southern ILL · April 26th, 2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mowcheeba

What price range are we talking about? The images in the Creston gallery
looks great.

Do you know what you want.....I knew exactly what I wanted.....Lollars-Sugar Pine-Nitro Paint-Medium Jumbo Frets-Brushed steel pickgaurd...almost exactly like my Custom/Deluxe I just built for myself.......with the pickups and hardware I mentioned.....My quote was between $1500-$1750.....And if I would of know about the stimulous check from the Gov.I would of gone with him but assembled my own instead.....I will own one of his gits' but I am back in school so I got to watch my money flow....email him....You might be very surprised by what you could get your dream guitar for.....

wooderson · April 26th, 2008, 09:50 PM

The Creston info/FAQ page is a great read. Now that's a guy I want building me a guitar.

mowcheeba · April 26th, 2008, 09:51 PM

Great looking PartsCaster you got there, Southern ILL.
I basically know what to get next so I'll email him and see
what he has to say about it.

Southern ILL · April 26th, 2008, 10:06 PM

He'll do a your standard tele or whatever..but I think he likes to do things that are different....Esquires with a single P-90....different color combos with different pickup combos than normal....attention to detail...I am a fan of his skills and his builds.I like guitars that are different-I want my guitar to be "my guitar" a one of kind...I am a hack with no real talent but I still want a cool guitar......and for a custom built guitar he's pretty reasonable really.

Jaxson612 · April 27th, 2008, 09:44 PM

Revelator!

Southern ILL · April 27th, 2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mowcheeba

Great looking PartsCaster you got there, Southern ILL.
I basically know what to get next so I'll email him and see
what he has to say about it.

Hey thanks....I have noodle for years playin' by ear and not really serious....I play in church..but I am trying to learn more and more everyday..assembling a guitar was a great learning tool for me and actually cures G.A.S. to sme extent.....

April 2nd, 2008, 05:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
BillyG Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Summerville, SC Age: 41 Posts: 431	Nash / K-line / Revelator Teles As near as I can tell, these builders (or assemblers) all have similar looking work. If you don't like relics read no further. http://www.nashguitars.com http://www.k-lineguitars.com http://www.revelatorguitarworks.com Does anyone have any experience with these guys. $1,200 - $1,600 looks OK for a semi hand built instrument. Thoughts?

April 2nd, 2008, 05:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
ajgus Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 2,321	Billy, no experience here. But, thanks for the posts. Cool stuff! __________________ "If you don't have a toothbrush & you don't have a Telecaster...you're in trouble"- Jim Weider

April 3rd, 2008, 01:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
amp boy Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: toronto, Canada Age: 27 Posts: 330 4 Photos	www.ronkirn.com www.crestonguitars.com __________________ I'm kinda like class act simplicity with a raw edge that can rip out yer bones.

April 3rd, 2008, 12:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
kingalingus Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Charleston, SC Age: 41 Posts: 313 7 Photos	Do any of these builders shape their own necks and cut their own bodies or do the just assemble "off the shelf" parts? What do you have to spend to get a real "hand made" Tele and where do you go?

April 3rd, 2008, 02:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
Southern ILL Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois Age: 38 Posts: 982	Love my K-line strat...as good as any I have played.BUT I will say my next "purchased" guitar will hands down be a Creston.....I don't think you could do any better than that and in the price range you have mentioned.He will build it how you want it....

April 3rd, 2008, 02:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
toogoodd TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: korea Posts: 68	nashguitars are fairly popular here in south korea and there is dealer here. i think the money is worth every bit of it. i've tried the S63 and 52 telecaster and it just blew me away.

April 3rd, 2008, 06:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
BillyG Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Summerville, SC Age: 41 Posts: 431	I just spent the better part of today looking at builder sites and my head is spinning. There are lots of talented people in the world and now I'm more confused than ever. Especially when you consider price and resale value.

April 3rd, 2008, 06:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
Southern ILL Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois Age: 38 Posts: 982	I bought my K-line from the first owner...$815 w/hardcase.I wouldn't sell it for under $1000.IF your wanting something thats exactly what you want and not just something the "Big Guy" pumps out everyday then go for the Creston or the K-line..but when talking resale..you better try for a Fender CS....might not be exactly what you want but if you by used you won't lose alot and it will most likely become more valuable over time.Relic'd CS Teles' for around your price range maybe hard to find but are out there. Me-Give me $1600.00 and I am sending it to Creston Lea !!!! Sugar-Pine Tele body-2 Lollar P-90 pickups-Non-tradiational finish(Gretsch Orange maybe)-Copper or Brass pickguard-Cut down tele top-Loader bridge and attention to detail like no other !! I'm droolin'....

April 3rd, 2008, 07:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
harry the filter Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tennessee Age: 50 Posts: 183	Hey Billy-- I ordered a Nash 50's Tele with a fat neck and Lollars and could not be more pleased with the way it sounds, plays, feels and looks. I compared it to my 98 CS Nocaster and make the following observations: 1. The pickups on the Nash and the 98 are very similar at first, but after spending time A/B'ing them, the Lollars in the Nash are a little more aggressive, with good spank which is what I expected. What I wasn't expecting was how well it does the Whole Lotta Love LZ II thing. Nice surprise there. The 98 CS (Cunetto Relic)is sweeter. It has a smoother top end than the Lollars. Both get the job done in a real nice way, but if I were going to do a show that had to cover classic or southern rock sounds and maybe some modern country most of the evening, and could only take one of these two, I'll take the Nash 2 out of 3 times. If it's more classic country and some pop, the 98 will go. 2. The Nash has no finish on the back of the neck. I really like that feel, especially if it's an outdoor show, compared to the 98 which is full lacquer jacket and can get a little sticky. Less of an issue for indoor shows. Slight edge to Nash. 3 The frets on the Nash are 6105s while the 98 has smaller, more vintagey frets. I like bigger frets, and since this can't be a totally objective comparison, Advantage Nash. 4. The Value on the Cunetto seems to be rising steadily, while the Nash is holding steady-- hardly ever see one under $1400. The fact is that it holds its value better than a lot of the contemporary Fender Custom Shop offerings is pretty strong. Advantage 98, but no real disadvantage to the Nash. 5. I really don't worry about taking the Nash anywhere. It's solidly built, relic'd, and could come in handy as an object of self-defense (see Uninvited Stage Guests thread). I might not want to take the 98 everywhere. It is a true work horse. Advantage Nash. 6. As you might guess, the relic job on the Cunetto is second to none. The Nash is convincing, but not to the same degree. Advantage: 98 Bottom line, The Nash is a great guitar in every way. It is about as true a working man's guitar as I've ever owned' and if the things I outlined above might also be of concern to you, I don't see how you can go wrong. I would definitely buy it again. If I could only have one of those two guitars? Hey, I didn't just fall off the turnip truck :-)

April 3rd, 2008, 10:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
Brick Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Jose Age: 58 Posts: 787	I've played on a dz Nash guitars and all were really good and worth the bucks, IMHO. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I couldn't roll my own.

April 4th, 2008, 12:32 PM	#13 (permalink)
serialsteve Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 728	Do a search on here if you want, but I have nothing good to say about Revelator, so I won't!

April 4th, 2008, 01:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
BillyG Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Summerville, SC Age: 41 Posts: 431	Here's how I spent my day yesterday: http://www.nashguitars.com http://www.crookcustomguitars.com http://www.k-lineguitars.com http://www.revelatorguitarworks.com http://www.ronkirn.com http://www.crestonguitars.com http://www.glendaleguitars.com http://www.detempleguitars.com http://www.ricecustomguitars.com Also, if the above sites had any links or distributers, I went there too.

April 26th, 2008, 02:49 PM	#16 (permalink)
bluesfordan Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 489	I had a nash tele that I really liked a lot. If a certain guitar hadn't come around, I'd would still have it. Mine was a '63 T style, rosewood board, tortoise pickguard, white blond finish. Relic job on it was the usual Nash heavy relic, which worked quite well with rosewood. I believe it had Lollars for pickups. Sounded great, played even better. I got it for a very reasonable price, and made almost all my purchase price back when I sold it. I'd get another in a heartbeat. Maybe even two, as I like his strats, too.

April 26th, 2008, 03:39 PM	#17 (permalink)
harry the filter Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tennessee Age: 50 Posts: 183	Bluesjuke--I ordered mine through Rick at Guitar Hanger. It took a few months, but it was worth the wait. You might want to consider going that route yourself so you can get just what you want.

April 26th, 2008, 04:18 PM	#18 (permalink)
bluesjuke Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bluesland, Texas Age: 52 Posts: 550	I was considering that. I heard that you can still special order from Nash but by the dealer ordering it as part of his stock. Meanwhile I have found a Nash Esquire that is really close to what I'm looking for that I could add a neck pu too.

April 26th, 2008, 07:52 PM	#20 (permalink)
62_Inca_Esquire Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 872	Don't forget Mark Jenny.

April 26th, 2008, 09:50 PM	#22 (permalink)
wooderson Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: DFW, TX Age: 27 Posts: 177	The Creston info/FAQ page is a great read. Now that's a guy I want building me a guitar.

April 26th, 2008, 09:51 PM	#23 (permalink)
mowcheeba Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Norway/Sweden-Temporarily Age: 31 Posts: 720 48 Photos	Great looking PartsCaster you got there, Southern ILL. I basically know what to get next so I'll email him and see what he has to say about it.

April 26th, 2008, 10:06 PM	#24 (permalink)
Southern ILL Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois Age: 38 Posts: 982	He'll do a your standard tele or whatever..but I think he likes to do things that are different....Esquires with a single P-90....different color combos with different pickup combos than normal....attention to detail...I am a fan of his skills and his builds.I like guitars that are different-I want my guitar to be "my guitar" a one of kind...I am a hack with no real talent but I still want a cool guitar......and for a custom built guitar he's pretty reasonable really.

April 27th, 2008, 09:44 PM	#25 (permalink)
Jaxson612 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somewhere in the swamps of Jersey Posts: 110	Revelator!