costum builders?!

[Dyllpan]

I am looking for a good guitar builder that will build me a 'subtle relic' 50's left handed telecaster.
I've already checked: Revelator guitars, Senn guitars and Vinetto guitars. But revelator doesn't take any orders these days, and I haven't heard from Senn and Vinetto yet after I've both send them a e-mail over a week ago.
So they are off my list.
Do you guys know where can let my dream guitar be build? I both want the sound and the look of a 50 year old guitar. Price isn't much of an issue, I just want a piece of art.
Thanks for your time.

[Jason R.]

Not an owner of one yet, but try Rice. You will get them on the phone or email easily. Extremely professional and helpful father and son team. Check out the gallery at www.ricecustomguitars.com .

They are TDPRI members and well respected...just outside Chicago I believe. They will relic guitars to the degree you specify and build to order.

To the Rice team - if you're reading - I'm still planning my guitar out in my mind. I WILL be contacting you in the future. Hope my wife isn't reading. ;)

[Duncan]

Originally Posted by Dyllpan

I've both send them a e-mail over a week ago.
So they are off my list.

Just so you know, (I am not affiliated with ANY guitar company these days) the NAMM Show and the big Guitar Show is coming up in the Los Angeles area in just a few weeks. I know that anyone attending one, or possibly both shows is very, very, busy at the monent. New products are introduced for the upcoming year, and most manufacturers are scrambling to get ready for that right now.

Don't know if any of the folks you mentioned are going, but it's kind of par for the course this time of year, especially for the smaller manufacturers.

[zombywoof]

+1 for Rice Custom Guitars. I do own one.

Best finishes, particularly necks, this side of J. Black, Tom Murphy and Fred Stuart. Also darn nice guitars thrown in underneath the finish.

[Kevyn]

Extremely happy with my Rice guitar.

The neck? The neck? What about the neck...?

So fine, just so fine!

There's something about minimalism and functionality that's appealing.

I talked to Rich & Chris and said..." just one pup please..." and they said something like..."we've got this hunk of swamp root layin' 'round hows' about we fill it with some Voodoo and throw on some mojo, tie it with silver and see what comes out?"

To which I replied..."sounds like you two been down this road before..."

Chris said, "no doubt we have for sure."

Oh, lucky me.

When you want some 'simple tone' look for that Rice mojofied voodooed silver tied Esquire.

My wife said, "it's lovely dear, I'm glad you like it."

Oh yeah, I like it. A lot.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...re/kvfine1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...re/kvfine4.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...re/kvfine5.jpg

I'd go down the road with Rich & Chris anytime.

[franchelB]

What's wrong with Fender's Custom Shop?

[Dyllpan]

Duncan: I geus you're right. I should have more patience

Rice guitars are great looking instruments. Are I am still going to look around some more. You never know.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with Fender's custom shop, except I don't think they make left handed telecasters. They make '58 strats though.
I would love to get my hands on a left handed '51 nocaster. And they aren't THAT expansive, around $3000,- I believe. $2000,- less than a DeTemple!
But there's one thing I don't like about custom shop, it's their mass production.
You still can't customize your own. That's why I prefer the smaller builder companies, although they tend to change the shape of the headstock allot. To make it there own. Which is a shame cauz it takes allot of the elegance of the telecaster away.

[woodman]

the Rice boys do it right, and TDPRI'er Ron Kirn builds some impressive instruments too (dunno if he relics, you can check at http://www.ronkirn.com/).

[singlecoil]

you might check out Glendale's site. He builds a nice 50's style tele.

[richardpigeon]

+1 for Ron Kirn.
you have to take a look at what he can do to a chunk of wood.
it's art man.
i've never seen better looking guitars. period.

[Rock on]

Originally Posted by richardpigeon

+1 for Ron Kirn.
you have to take a look at what he can do to a chunk of wood.
it's art man.
i've never seen better looking guitars. period.

+ 4 billion


he has an awesome site.

here 'tis


http://www.ronkirn.com/

[Sarge]

From the examples I've seen here at the TDPRI I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on a Rice.

[OaklandA]

+1

for Rice Custom Guitars. They can do an aging of the hardware that is very subtle and...for lack of a better word...classy, that you'll probably be very happy with. The thing will play like a dream, too.