High-spec Gordon Smith – worth it?

[jimmywaleseswhale]

Somebody is selling an almost-new Gordon Smith tele. For those who don't know, they basically offer a "pick your parts" order form and produce their guitars in the UK: https://www.gordonsmithguitars.com/shop/guitars/classic-t/ Thee base model is £900 ($1250). The specific model is high-spec: roasted flame maple, swamp ash body, Gotoh tuners, etc. Basically the guy specced it out to £1900 ($2650) – wow!

He's now selling the guitar for maybe £1200 ($1600) though have a feeling he could be flexible. I honestly don't particularly care about roasted and flamed stuff but it's clearly a high-spec guitar. Basic GSs don't hold their value that great: plenty of used (basic-ish) ones on the used market for £400-600.

My question is is bit vague but would anyone want to speculate if the bells and whistles will mean that it's a better crafted guitar with better woods and hardware, and will sound marketably better than my current Fender T Special? Am I sleeping on a custom shop grade guitar for not crazy money or it's ok but nothing extraordinary?

 

[Guitarteach]

They had a bit of a rough and ready vibe for many years. Workmanlike.. in a good way.

I’d want to try it first i think. See if it has it where it counts.

I prefer old Patrick Eggles.

 

[dragonfire709]

I’m a GS owner and I love them. The ones made under new ownership are lovely, well built guitars. I honestly haven’t had gas for another guitar since buying my GS’s-they’re awesome!

 

[Rusty Spanner]

The new Auden made one's are lovely.

Tried a few at Rochdale guitar show a couple of years ago and they were all remarkably well built and beautifully finished.

I ended up buying a Japanese Strat in preference to a Gordon Smith S type and can't help thinking I should have gone with the GS.

My next guitar will be a GS1.

 

[Rusty Spanner]

Sod it, I think I might open a bottle of wine and order one......

Why did I join this place?

 

[Flaneur]

Gordon Smith made their reputation on playability- and associations with '70s Punk and New Wave artists. Adding expensive options won't make one play any better. They were usually pretty light, too- using woods like Poplar, when no-one else did- so a custom order probably won't shave any ounces, either.

Buying someone else's one-time dream guitar, is all about the features. If the neck profile and pickup configuration work for you- great- just don't expect any future buyer to pay a premium for them.

So yep.....go look at it and play it. If you are impressed, make an offer, based on your valuation....not the optimistic figure quoted.

This is my old GS 1.5. One of the best uses I ever made, of £230.

 

[jimmywaleseswhale]

Thanks everyone! I especially agree with "someone else's one-time dream guitar" – I'd probably pick a different set of options and it would cost me roughly as much as this one but new and mine. I'd be tempted to get that one if it's somehow 'better' than the cheaper stock model but not clear if it is (I guess you get into a flamewar if custom shop ones are really better than serial ones).

I do like GS and hope to pick one up when I have a chance

 

[ScottJPatrick]

Necks on these tend to be wide/flat so make sure you check that first to make sure it fits you. Generally very well built guitars, I had an old G60 for a while but my stubby little fingers couldn't take the neck, pity as I loved the rest of the guitar.

 

[montyveda]

regarding whether or not a GS will hold its value... i believe they did (note the past tense).

I got my GS1 brand spanking new nearly 20 years ago and judging by the prices they sell for on the GS facebook pages... I'll get more for mine 2nd hand than i paid for it.

The prices have shot up in the last decade or so making 2nd hand ones much more sellable.

 

[bettyseldest]

Gordon Smith build some great guitars, and if the T style was built to your spec it would represent fair value for money at £1900. However, it is not your spec and as such is unlikely to represent good value for money even at £1200 for an almost new guitar.

I have a few, all bought used, built by John Smith and his team rather than the new owners of the business. Many were built as custom jobs for the original purchaser, so neck profiles can be a bit if a lottery. Most older models were functional rather than pretty, but for a very reasonable price they built a great custom guitar for you. John Smith and his small team in Partington (Manchester) did not make a lot of money, but built some great guitars. The new Auden built ones have much more focus on finish. I believe that they also use a CNC machine, unlike the old ones. As a result of the more impressive finishes, and treating it more like a business, prices are significantly higher, but lower than anything of a similar quality that Gibson might produce. Personally I have never been attracted to their Fender style offerings, but members of the facebook group seem very keen.

My first quality guitar was a GS1, I prefer it to my Junior, just wish it had a P90. It is the base modle in the range and would have cost £239 when built in 1989. I bought it used with a case for £150 in about 1993. Today most are selling inthe range of £350 to £400 used. A late 80s MIM Tele Standard would have cost about the same as a GS1 when new, and probably sell for the same £350 to £400 now.

I have also got an SG2, Graduate 60 (Les Paul style), and Graf;

And an Explorer;

Once the world returns to something like normal, I'll put most of them up for sale, keeping the GS1 and looking for a double cut version of the Graduate.

 

[Slimster 4390]

Sod it, I think I might open a bottle of wine and order one......

Why did I join this place?

Go for it. They last forever. I just use mine every week since 1978. Still looks amazing and plays so good.

 

[Dostradamas]

With a company name like that they should do a Billy Ruff signature model

 

[Peegoo]

@Slimster 4390

I'm sure he's made up his mind over the last four years

 

[AndrewG]

They had a bit of a rough and ready vibe for many years. Workmanlike.. in a good way.

I’d want to try it first i think. See if it has it where it counts.

I prefer old Patrick Eggles.

I bought an Eggle 'New York Standard' many years ago. Lovely guitar, including a branded Hiscox case. Never got to play a Gordon-Smith as they were only available direct from GS at the time. Another British marque flying under the radar is the revamped Shergold range; slightly quirky designs but fantastic build quality.
New York Standard: