The Boutique Guitar Market is going crazy right now. Individual Guitar Builders are breaking out all over the world. This post is a collection of the craziest new guitar builders I’ve come across lately. Make sure to follow them on Instagram to keep up with all the new and amaing guitar builds they are putting out every single day.
Jason Snelling
Hand built custom guitars, made in Surrey, England.
Building guitars that are nostalgic yet different.
DM or visit my website for more information
@MayburyGuitars Instagram content has been blowing up lately, and its easy to see why. I mean check out that Green Goblin Guitar!
I’ve never seen anyone use a blowtorch on a telecaster body, but it works. It works really well. Look at the depth of that green. If instagram likes are any indication of value, then this guitar is very valuable indeed.
Daddy Mojo String Instruments
Unique boutique instruments ~ hand built in Montreal.www.dmelectrics.ca
This is one of my favorite guitars as of late. Its built by Daddy Mojo Instruments. Their whole deal is building unique one off guitars, out of reclaimed materials. A few of the more interesting materials include retro countertops and antique dynamite crates.
They make me feel nostalgiac for drive-ins and penny candy. I don’t know how this builder came up with his themes, but they are one of a kind masterpieces. Check them out on Instagram, they have amazing pics coming out all the time.
There are some really talented custom electric guitar builders out there, and if that sounds like your thing check this out. 9 Best Custom Electric Guitar Brands You’ve Never Heard Of (2020)
Kochel Guitars
Roots blues guitars, made from reclaimed materials from Montana. Resonator Guitars www.kochelguitars.com
This particularly crazy guitar builder specializes in a more rustic form of reclaimed materials. Resonator guitars in the classic body shapes (les pauls, telecasters, etc) are fitted with resonators, and sometimes even the occasional bigsby vibrato.
Faust Guitars
https://www.youtube.com/user/faustguitars
Absolutely one of the top guitar builders when it comes to the Steampunk/Relic Genre of Guitars. He puts dozens of hours (if not hundreds) into each build, and you can tell that just by looking at one of them. Very artistic, and each build tells a different story.
Julie Rosenberg
Exquisitely, hand painted, one of a kind guitars.
New York
This builder specializes in bright colors and shapes arranged in abstract form on the guitar’s body. The wood is just a canvas for this bulder, and you can definitely see these hanging on your wall or in a museum someday. Super unique, super intriquing.
G.Angelo Guitars
Hand Crafted Made To
gguitardesign.wixsite.com/gangeloguitars
This builder stands out on Instagram, no doubt. They definitely know how to grab your attention. Not only are the girls nice, but so are the custom built les paul style guitars. One of my favorite features are the lipstick tube humbuckers. Thats something you don’t see everyday.
If you are into Les Pauls, like at all, maybe consider getting a G.Angelo Guitars Custom Built Les Paul. You gotta hand it to them, the photos make the guitars look even better.
JL Custom Guitars
Luthier/Musician: Jarrid Lipscomb: Would love to build your next guitar!! Dm for prices and commissions. Choose your woods, paint, hardware, ect. 🤘🏽🎸
This builder is for sure the most inspiring to me as a guitarist. Somehow, someway, he convinced the world to wake up and pay attention to his guitars. He blends exceptional luthier skill with a uniquely imaginative theme for each of his guitar builds.
The one that put him on the map is pictured above. His guitars command a high price, and its easy to see why. Who would ever think to build a guitar like that? He masterfully uses epoxy resins, rare wood, and the highest quality parts to put together a truly unique guitar. Keep an eye on this one.
If you like custom electric guitar builds that focus on classic fender body styles, you should check out my article on 9 Best Custom Electric Guitar Brands You’ve Never Heard Of (2020)
The AxeDr.com Philosophy
Keep rocking, and share guitar with everyone who will hear it.
At AxeDr.com I defend the premise that guitar can dramatically effect one’s life for good, and that every kid ought to consider pursing music in one form or another. If you believe that too, please share this one someone in your life that would enjoy it.
Keep Rockin,
The Axe Dr.
Conclusion
As you can see, the world of individual boutique guitar bulders is going strong, and some might argue getting bigger and bigger every day. Thanks to social media, and the courage of the individual luthier, we get to enjoy an ever expanding marketplace of amazing guitars.
Remember to follow these crazy cool boutiqe guitars builders, especially if you saw something you liked. They are just like you and me, and need the support of the overall guitar community. Keep checking back here at AxeDr.com for more developments in the world of guitars.
Keep Rockin’,
The Axe Dr.
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a "Boutique Guitar"?
A boutique guitar is the opposite of a big brand name guitar like a Fender Strat, or Gibson Les Paul. Boutique guitars are usually hand made, one-off guitars built for quality and craftsmanship. They are the best of the best in terms of components and materials.
2. Who are the most popular Boutique Guitar Builders?
The words popular and boutique don't really go together, but the best boutique builders can't help but to get noticed. Some of the more popular boutiqe guitar builders include:
- Veritas Custom Guitars
- Bilt Guitars
- Shelton Electric Instruments
- Trussart Guitars
Baranik Guitars
3. Where can I find Boutique Guitars?
Thats an excellent question. By their very nature, boutique guitars are rather hard to find. Most "boutique brands" didn't set out to become that. They are often just individual luthiers who started building for themselves, but gained notariety for their uniqueness.
However, there are a few places to look. One would be NAMM, where you'll find every builder relevant today. The other would be Instagram. Its an excellent place to find new and emerging talent in the guitar world.
4. What is an "Offset Guitar"?
The term "offset guitar" refers to a particular body shape of guitar. Try to imagine the guitar having hips. The "waist" of the guitar is offset on either side, not even with eachother. The most common body shapes include:
- Stratocaster
- Telecaster
- Les Paul
- Offsets (Fender Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Mustang)
Jaguars and Jazzmasters are the quintessentials when it comes to offset body shapes. Because there are so many brands building offsets, its become an easy way to classify body shapes.
