Replica Husk

[Tuco Cortesi]

Yes, I guess you would call it a burst, but a very subtle one. It's pretty much a slightly darker shade around the border. Basically what Gibson calls a "Lemon burst". As far as hardware, I would maybe need the strap buttons, but I could probably get them myself if I have to. Here are some examples of the finish I'm looking for:

 

[ARandall]

Do you actually know of a kit that comes with the parallelogram inlay, or the headstock star??

The issue with kits are the fitting of the neck joint. Most scratch builders have a standard they like to work to, and often the kits just don't come close.
The second point is wood 'quality'. With some kit makers you will get no choice. With others you might get a basic 1 vs multi piece back......or a generic flame grading option.

With a quality builder they can photograph wood they have so you get the choice of the very blanks used - put it on the scales so you can get an idea on final guitar weight if you have back related issues.
Also you can get a precise neck profile - which would be my #1 ask from a custom guitar.

 

[Tuco Cortesi]

This is exactly why I have been avoiding kits. I'm trying to find someone that can build me this guitar, and can get it down to the most specific spec. I'm definitely willing to pay more than a kit, because this is supposed to be my ultimate, dream guitar. And it would be nice to work closely with a luthier, so that I can choose the right woods, neck, and overall dimensions.

 

[pshupe]

OK here are some numbers. A cheap kit will cost you about $150 - $200 which includes hardware. This is the problem when people want a custom guitar. Also if the go to a big box store and see Fender and Gibson full finished guitars for that price. I've had more than a few people ask me to build them a custom guitar for $200.

Now here is the reality for a custom hobby builder, me anyway. The wood I use will cost more than that. One piece Honduran mahogany body - $150, basic flame maple cap - $50, EI Rosewood fret board - $20, one piece Honduran neck blank - $40, holly veneer - $10. So you are up to $270 driving home from the wood store, not including time or gas to pick the stuff up. Next up parts and pieces - MOP inlays - $40, truss rod - $20, nut - $10, fret wire - $15, binding - $20. Running total so far - $375 and no saw dust has been made.

The next part is tricky. Do we charge by the hour for cutting the raw wood into guitar shape etc? The more tools you have the less time it will take to do this. The more tools you have the more investment you have in those tools, and the more shop space required, hence you need to charge more for using them. Use equates to wear and electricity costs not to mention the actual "person hours". I have a CNC machine and charge a flat rate for time on the machine. I'd estimate about 4 - 5 hrs of total machining time, which would come out to about $375. This would include the surfacing, cross cutting, and thicknessing of the raw material with the other equipment in my shop. I would call these hobby rates.

running total so far - $750. Now we look at the hours it takes to take those pieces and glue them up, fit, final sand, install frets, truss rod, binding, inlays etc. Let's just throw a number at that. 40 hrs would be a conservative estimate, I think. I actually do not keep track of my hours because I do this as a hobby but I bet I spend at least double this time. So what do we charge for our time? Let's say less than minimum wage at $10 /hr. $400. This would also include a certain amount of consumables - glue, sand paper, use of hand tools and electricity. Setup of the guitar - level frets, dress, bridge setup, intonation, nut. $150

running total so far - $1300 This is probably about where I would be for a fully setup kit guitar. Now let's add finish. Again somewhat tricky. More specialty tools, space, etc. Spray booth, compressor, PPE, consumables plus time. I need to clean up my shop to get ready for spraying. Usually takes me a few days to spray where I can't really do much else in the shop. Let's just throw a round number at this $400 for a standard nitro finish, wet sanded and buffed.

Grand total - $1700 for a finished guitar without hardware. Add another $400 for vintage checked finish. Would not include case or shipping

As I said, I do this for a hobby. I might build a couple or a few guitars a year. This is not a solicitation for work. More of an education of some of the actual costs for a hobby builder, like myself, to produce a custom guitar.

Cheers Peter.

 

[nuance97]

I wish I had somebody local that would finish my guitars for $400 with nitro/wet sand/buff. I’d build a lot more

 

[pshupe]

I wish I had somebody local that would finish my guitars for $400 with nitro/wet sand/buff. I’d build a lot more

This is the part I want to do more, so hence priced accordingly. LOL. I'm just building a new paint booth in my shop. Stop by and I'll give you the good buddy discount.

Cheers Peter.

 

[Tuco Cortesi]

Thanks a lot for the info Peter. Greatly helpful for me! I'll be asking around, and trying to find someone to build me this custom guitar. Again, really appreciate the very educational breakdown.

 

[nuance97]

This is the part I want to do more, so hence priced accordingly. LOL. I'm just building a new paint booth in my shop. Stop by and I'll give you the good buddy discount.

Cheers Peter.

It’s only a 3000 mile drive round-trip

 

[pshupe]

It’s only a 3000 mile drive round-trip

I know. That's why I'll do it for free! LOL

 

[Mark Scrivener]

Just thinking about other ways to do this.....I know there is at least one company out there that buys new guitars and parts them out. I remember looking at their site a few years ago and seeing plenty of LP "hulks". Since the OP said he had all the hardware and electronics, this might be worth exploring. Buy a real Gibson that has been stripped of all the parts, get someone to do the inlays and then put your parts on....might be the least expensive route. FWIW I would expect to pay WAY more than Peter's estimate for a custom build. Just look at respected luthiers that sell on their websites.....a basic set neck LP like guitar will easily cost $4k and up.....lots of up....

 

[cmjohnson]

Incidentally, I cap my custom build prices at 3500 dollars. I just don't see any reason to charge more for any guitar I can make, no matter how fancy, unless the level of inlay work is really extensive and/or precious materials are used a lot. But I don't make guitars like that. I only will do a "moderate" amount of fruitworks. At 3500 dollars I'd feel kind of guilty about it. It's HARD for me to spend much more than a thousand dollars in parts and materials costs on a guitar, even going for premium everything and lots of options.

 

[LtDave32]

OK here are some numbers. A cheap kit will cost you about $150 - $200 which includes hardware. This is the problem when people want a custom guitar. Also if the go to a big box store and see Fender and Gibson full finished guitars for that price. I've had more than a few people ask me to build them a custom guitar for $200.

Now here is the reality for a custom hobby builder, me anyway. The wood I use will cost more than that. One piece Honduran mahogany body - $150, basic flame maple cap - $50, EI Rosewood fret board - $20, one piece Honduran neck blank - $40, holly veneer - $10. So you are up to $270 driving home from the wood store, not including time or gas to pick the stuff up. Next up parts and pieces - MOP inlays - $40, truss rod - $20, nut - $10, fret wire - $15, binding - $20. Running total so far - $375 and no saw dust has been made.

The next part is tricky. Do we charge by the hour for cutting the raw wood into guitar shape etc? The more tools you have the less time it will take to do this. The more tools you have the more investment you have in those tools, and the more shop space required, hence you need to charge more for using them. Use equates to wear and electricity costs not to mention the actual "person hours". I have a CNC machine and charge a flat rate for time on the machine. I'd estimate about 4 - 5 hrs of total machining time, which would come out to about $375. This would include the surfacing, cross cutting, and thicknessing of the raw material with the other equipment in my shop. I would call these hobby rates.

running total so far - $750. Now we look at the hours it takes to take those pieces and glue them up, fit, final sand, install frets, truss rod, binding, inlays etc. Let's just throw a number at that. 40 hrs would be a conservative estimate, I think. I actually do not keep track of my hours because I do this as a hobby but I bet I spend at least double this time. So what do we charge for our time? Let's say less than minimum wage at $10 /hr. $400. This would also include a certain amount of consumables - glue, sand paper, use of hand tools and electricity. Setup of the guitar - level frets, dress, bridge setup, intonation, nut. $150

running total so far - $1300 This is probably about where I would be for a fully setup kit guitar. Now let's add finish. Again somewhat tricky. More specialty tools, space, etc. Spray booth, compressor, PPE, consumables plus time. I need to clean up my shop to get ready for spraying. Usually takes me a few days to spray where I can't really do much else in the shop. Let's just throw a round number at this $400 for a standard nitro finish, wet sanded and buffed.

Grand total - $1700 for a finished guitar without hardware. Add another $400 for vintage checked finish. Would not include case or shipping

As I said, I do this for a hobby. I might build a couple or a few guitars a year. This is not a solicitation for work. More of an education of some of the actual costs for a hobby builder, like myself, to produce a custom guitar.

Cheers Peter.

I'm going to copy and save this to show the next person who thinks we can build a guitar for a couple of Franklins, like they see in the big box stores.

 

[pshupe]

Incidentally, I cap my custom build prices at 3500 dollars. I just don't see any reason to charge more for any guitar I can make, no matter how fancy, unless the level of inlay work is really extensive and/or precious materials are used a lot. But I don't make guitars like that. I only will do a "moderate" amount of fruitworks. At 3500 dollars I'd feel kind of guilty about it. It's HARD for me to spend much more than a thousand dollars in parts and materials costs on a guitar, even going for premium everything and lots of options.

Do you keep track of your hours for a typical build? I would be interested to find out how many hours it takes the average person to build a guitar. I do not as I do this as a hobby. Frankly, I could make double or triple the amount making charcuterie boards or knife blocks.

Cheers Peter.

 

[Stevevall]

All you really need if you find the right Gibson looks wise is to have someone make you a new fretboard and remove the Les Paul script from the hs and add that star inlay.

I have a Gibson gothic morte, and it’s fretboard is basically plain ebony except for the old star and moon logo on the twelfth fret. Your luthier should be able to do something with that? Although not really for sale, I would take 1500$ and hate mysel. It’s a 2000 model with a nice case.