I'm thinking of getting a Monson guitar made. (Opinions?)

[Bossk]

Im not sure if I want the doomsayer or redemption. I really liked the redemption but the bc rich style horn thingys kinda irk me.

[celticelk]

I think the Palehorse is the only Monson design that I wouldn't feel ridiculous playing.

[D.o.S.]

Those kinds of guitars -- like BC Rich -- work really well for some people, visually.

I am not one of them.

[celticelk]

Those kinds of guitars -- like BC Rich -- work really well for some people, visually.

I am not one of them.

Definitely. I'm betting Skip looks like a bad motherfucker with his. Is there photographic evidence anywhere?

[Ancient Astronaught]

Those kinds of guitars -- like BC Rich -- work really well for some people, visually.

I am not one of them.

Definitely. I'm betting Skip looks like a bad motherfucker with his. Is there photographic evidence anywhere?

Sadly no.... but I'll talk to the wife and see if she'll help me get all dolled up and take some pics.

Sooooo Vest or no Vest?

[celticelk]

If "no vest" actually means "Matt Pike styles," I'm voting "vest." =)

[pelliott]

Those kinds of guitars -- like BC Rich -- work really well for some people, visually.

I am not one of them.

It's always hilarious when Torche plays Tarpit Carnivore and Andrew busts out his "this cost 50 bucks" super pointy Z tuned guitar

[odontophobia]

Those kinds of guitars -- like BC Rich -- work really well for some people, visually.

I am not one of them.

It's always hilarious when Torche plays Tarpit Carnivore and Andrew busts out his "this cost 50 bucks" super pointy Z tuned guitar

Always the best.

Skip, vest please. Denim. And no shirt.

[Ancient Astronaught]

Always the best.

Skip, vest please. Denim. And no shirt.

I haz no denim but I will do vest with no shirt hahaha

[LOCOPELAND]

Those kinds of guitars -- like BC Rich -- work really well for some people, visually.

I am not one of them.

Same here. They just aren't aesthetically pleasing to my eye.

[fallen]

Those Monsoon guitars look like they are built amazingly well, and they way some player are dragging them all over the world on tour is the proof.

But let me drop the other option here. Some players are searching for "the sound" and when they find it then they are done. Other people go for variety which is also valid.

With the same dollars, if I look through my pile and do the math, the type of guy who can't settle on one thing could go on the search and have a Yamaha SBG500 for all the humbucker + Les Paul tones, and a Mexican strat because you can load up a couple of pickguards, one with singles, one with humbuckers and its easy to swap, and a Gibson SG with P90s, and still have money for a nice Tele or a Jag or a V or whatever.

[Ancient Astronaught]

I got mine for $1000 shipped as one the guitars he's been building lately with the matte black finish, totally worth every penny.

Your also comparing production models to a completely custom built guitar exactly to your specs. I see Monson as the wood version of EGC, so it would be like comparing a Kramer aluminum neck to a custom built EGC. Yes they are similar in design and function and there's a huge price difference, but the playability and tone are leagues apart.

[fallen]

That price is a lot better than I expected. Anyway I did already know when I posted earlier, in a thread asking for opinions, that my opinion might not be welcome.

Still I recommend, for someone who isn't sure what pickups or woods he likes, along with asking other people what sounds good to them, start trying things and use your own ears to decide.

Find an SG with dual humbucker routes, buy a cheap soldering iron and acquaint yourself with the GFS site. Order some humbucker sized P90s, order some vintage Alnicos, or try a Fat Pat or a Power Rail. Go on the search and find out what makes your ears happy.

A good (free) way to gain some knowledge is to walk into a music store and try a bunch of guitars through a clean amp or just play them and compare the different neck shapes. Try the acoustics too and listen to the different woods and how a gloss finish sounds compared to a matte finish.

People will try to push their own idea about what is "better" tone but the only thing that really matters is what sounds good to you.

(I like the natural wood look of the Monsoons in wenge, so if it was me I'd personally draw my own body shape, in wenge, with a Nomad style headstock.)

[Ancient Astronaught]

Hahaha your opinion is always welcome! Without variety life would be boring.

And I completely 100% agree with the rest of your post. The GFS recommendation and the trying out a lot of guitars is spot on. I lucked out that the nomad I got while not being custom made for me per se was EXACTLY what I wanted from the body wood (alder just like my esquire) to the fretboard with blocks and binding, to the much better looking headstock (IMO) and matte black finish. I lucked out hard on that deal and the stars aligned at just the right time.

[Nostradoomus]

I can only say do it because I did. I fucking love my Redemption (#4) and I will be getting another Monson when time allows. After all was said and done it was about 2300 dollars (Canadian) which I could have spent on an off the rack guitar, but fuck that this thing is mine and no one else's.