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Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:04 pm
by 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.

:animal:

Re: Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 5:50 pm
by 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.

Re: Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 6:36 pm
by kosta
These couple of builders in the UK have caught my eye recently.

Odessa Guitars
Image

Alpher Instruments
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Joseph Kaye Guitars
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Re: Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 6:49 pm
by Chankgeez
Kosta, dude, that Joseph Kaye looks cray. :love:

Re: Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 6:54 pm
by kosta
That Joseph Kaye is caaaaaaaaallin' me. (They caaaaaallin' me....)

Re: Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 7:37 pm
by Bon Hoga
What's the bridge on that Alpher? I need it now!

Re: Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 7:45 pm
by Chankgeez
Yeah, that bridge does look pretty nice.

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

Image

Re: Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 8:05 pm
by Bon Hoga
fucking hell <3

Re: Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2016 11:24 pm
by kosta
Deimel Doublestar is pretty sweet too maybe.
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Re: Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:02 am
by goroth
That Odessa!!!

Re: Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:23 am
by coldbrightsunlight
Wow, kosta absolutely rocking it, all of those look amazing! :love:

Re: Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 6:22 am
by Obulus
Nude guitars (in Italy) has always looked interesting to me, if you're into the aluminum neck kinda things:
Image

Re: Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:30 am
by echoraven
bison.jpg
Might as well toss a picture of my Bison...

Re: Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:09 pm
by 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.

Re: Interesting/small guitar companies in the UK/EU?

Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 1:08 pm
by 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.