Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

[coldbrightsunlight]

This year I've decided I'm going pedge for a fair while to buy a nice guitar, and while I'm sure I could easily find yet another fender (or five) that I love, I'm attracted to the idea of getting something more interesting/different.

I love the look of Nelsons and I'm thinking strongly about getting one of those, but I'm worries the shipping from the US and customs charges could be lethal and also want to explore other options out of interest. I would love an ECG too but they start off more expensive than I would probably be willing to go AND THEN I'd have to deal with the shipping and customs charges on top.

The current, very loosely considered, list of ideas is:

* Nelson

* Tele of some kind

* putting together my own partscaster (with a bastin neck maybe...)


but I would like to see more interesting stuff!

So, people know of any cool builders in the UK/EU??

I wouldn't rule out going down the custom route if it can be done for not crazy money.

I'm looking for something with few frills, hardtail, that sounds great and looks very cool. A real "shut up and play your guitar" sort of simple instrument of high quality.

[echoraven]

I have a Burns Bison. Gorgeous sounding guitar, looks like nothing else out there and the trisonic pickups are the same ones Brian May used in his Red Special guitar.

[kosta]

These couple of builders in the UK have caught my eye recently.

Odessa Guitars


Alpher Instruments


Joseph Kaye Guitars

[Chankgeez]

Kosta, dude, that Joseph Kaye looks cray.

[kosta]

That Joseph Kaye is caaaaaaaaallin' me. (They caaaaaallin' me....)

[Bon Hoga]

What's the bridge on that Alpher? I need it now!

[Chankgeez]

Yeah, that bridge does look pretty nice.

I wasn't too crazy about those Alphers until I saw this one:

[Bon Hoga]

fucking hell <3

[kosta]

Deimel Doublestar is pretty sweet too maybe.

[goroth]

That Odessa!!!

[coldbrightsunlight]

Wow, kosta absolutely rocking it, all of those look amazing!

[Obulus]

Nude guitars (in Italy) has always looked interesting to me, if you're into the aluminum neck kinda things:

[echoraven]

Might as well toss a picture of my Bison...

[kosta]

That Nude and that Bison are both sweet! I've seen some cool Watkins and WEM guitars floating around on UK Gumtree, as well as a dude up near Newcastle with a bunch of old, cool Yamahas.

[coldbrightsunlight]

Ooo, bison looks interesting though more knobs and switches than I was thinking of. Would like to play one and find out how it sounds though!

Love that nude guitar too! How had I never heard of any of this incredible stuff? Gone from no ideas to spoilt for choice, haha.