What are boutique guitars?
They are simply the highest end guitars, or to put it another way, the best guitars that money can buy. Made in small batches, with high attention to detail.
What makes them so good and why are they so expensive? Firstly, the quality of the woods used will be the highest quality tone woods which consequently produce the best resonance for a guitar. Ever heard a guitar ring and sustain (for an unusually) long time? This is partly down to great tonewoods and build quality. Handbuilt instruments will be better built than factory made instruments.
Any instrument which is hand built can achieve finer detailing and closer attention than factory made instruments.
Design quality. Many boutique luthiers re think traditional designs and try to better them. For example, instead of a traditional straight joint with a 4 screw plate, Tom Anderson of Anderson Guitarworks uses an unusual v shaped heel with 2 bolts where the body and neck join. This is exclusive to Anderson and if he thinks that this produces a better tone and sustain for the guitar, you can't really ague with him, as he is one of the most renowned boutique luthiers.
You don't need a boutique guitar to make great music, but if you find one that you like, that does what you want it to do and you have the money, it can prove a very sound investment and you may not want to go back to a cheaper instrument.
There are many boutique luthiers around the world. I'll give a mention to a few of the most popular-
John Suhr, Nick Huber, Paotelli, Anderson Guitarworks, Santa Cruz, Collings
The guitar picture is an Anderson Guitarworks Bobcat, This is based on a Les Paul design, but with some PRS inspired styling. However sound wise, this guitar can sound like a whole collection of guitars. Altering pickup configurations and using the volume pot can greatly change this guitars' tone to achieve a wide palette of different tonal options.
Comments