How to Order a Handmade Custom Guitar (Simpler Than You Think?)
You Might Not Need to Know Everything Before Ordering a Handmade Guitar
Many players who are thinking about commissioning a handmade instrument run into the same problem.
They feel they need to understand every detail before they even contact a luthier: wood choices, scale lengths, bracing patterns, nut widths, and a long list of other specifications.
In reality, that isn’t necessary.
In Brief
• Many players hesitate to contact a luthier because they think they must decide every specification first.
• In practice, you only need a general idea of what you want from the instrument.
• The early stages of commissioning are usually a conversation rather than a technical checklist.
• Specifications can often be finalised much later in the process, sometimes months before the build begins.
• An experienced luthier can guide you through decisions about woods, models, and design choices.
You may have been thinking about getting a custom instrument made, but you don’t really know where to start.
The questions begin immediately. Which wood for the back and sides? Which wood for the top? Which bracing pattern? Which scale length? What nut width?
It’s easy to feel that you need to have every one of those details figured out before you even contact a luthier.
But the truth is that you don’t need to know most of those things.
All you really need are a few clear ideas about what you want from the instrument, an open mind, and a willingness to talk with the maker about what might work best for you.
Some people hesitate to get in touch because they think it’s some kind of test — that I expect them to arrive knowing exactly what they want.
I don’t.
If a player knows precisely what they want, that’s fine. But most people don’t, and that’s completely normal. Understanding how my instruments work is my job, not yours.
Typically, the process starts simply.
Someone finds the website or a video like this, sends an email, and I send them a price list. That’s the first filter. Most people don’t reply, which is perfectly fine.
Those who do reply are usually the people who are seriously considering ordering an instrument.
At that point we start discussing the rough outline. Which model might suit them? What sort of music do they play? Are they performing in sessions or bands? Recording in studios? Or mainly playing at home?
All of that helps guide the conversation.
The next step is that I send the warranty. That isn’t because I expect problems, but because most of my clients live far away: in America, the UK, or Ireland. The warranty explains how I support instruments and clients from a distance.
Once they’ve read and understood that, I send a payment link for a deposit. The deposit secures the place on the waiting list and is deducted from the final price of the instrument.
After that comes the long part: waiting.
At the moment the waiting time is roughly twelve to eighteen months.
And that’s the part many people misunderstand. You don’t need to settle the final specification immediately.
In fact, it’s often better not to.
My work continues to evolve over time. By the time someone’s build slot arrives, they may have seen new ideas or developments in my work that they’d like to incorporate.
Likewise, players themselves are still playing, learning, and discovering what they like.
About a year before the build begins, I’ll get back in touch and we’ll start finalising the details. That’s when we talk about the model, scale length, nut width, tuning, and wood choices.
Some players know exactly what they want at that stage. Others don’t, and that’s fine.
When someone tells me how they play, where they play, and what sort of sound they’re hoping for, I can usually guide them toward choices that work well.
After all, I’ve been doing this for a while. I started my apprenticeship in 1988.
Over time you see what works, what doesn’t, and which combinations tend to suit different players.
So if you’ve been holding off because you feel you don’t know enough about ordering an instrument, remember that guiding people through that process is part of the job.
A Short Guide to Ordering a Handmade Instrument
If you’re thinking about commissioning a handmade instrument, there are a few common questions that nearly everyone goes through. These short videos walk through the most common doubts players have before ordering an instrument.
• You Might Not Need a Handmade Guitar (Yet)
A reality check on when upgrading actually makes sense.
• You Might Not Be Good Enough for a Handmade Guitar (Yet)
Why many players underestimate themselves when thinking about ordering a handmade instrument.
• How to Choose the Right Luthier (Without Regretting It Later)
What to look for when deciding which maker to work with.
FAQ
Do I need to know the specifications before contacting a luthier?
No. Most players begin with only a general idea of what they want. The details are usually discussed and refined during conversations with the maker.
When do you decide the final specification for the instrument?
In many cases the final specification isn’t fixed until closer to the build date. This allows both the maker and the player time to refine the design.
Why is there a waiting list for handmade instruments?
Handmade instruments take time to build, and most luthiers can only make a limited number each year. Waiting lists simply reflect the number of instruments already scheduled.
What happens after I contact a luthier?
Typically the process begins with a conversation about the type of instrument you want, followed by a price list, a deposit to secure a build slot, and later discussions about the final specification.
Thinking About Commissioning an Instrument?
If you eventually decide to commission a guitar, understanding what you value in an instrument helps a luthier build something that truly suits you.
If you’d like to talk about commissioning one from me, you’ll find the contact form at the foot of this page.
From the workshop of Nigel Forster
Nigel Forster has been building guitars, mandolins and Irish bouzoukis since 1988.