Electric Guitar Trends

Custom electric guitar manufacturers first started appearing in the 1970’s. Some players were unhappy with the quality of mainstream electric guitar brands at that time. A number of small companies started making better quality versions of famous models.

Today, some custom electric guitar makers still produce high end versions of Fender or Gibson electric guitars.  More like a boutique shop really.

Other custom manufacturers promote their own unique designs.

There must be a lot of people spending money on custom electric guitars, to support so many brands in the custom electric guitar market.  Here are a few examples:

Tom Anderson  is probably one of the longest running makers of custom electric guitars. Tom Anderson electric guitars often resemble models made by Fender.

Fender offers its Custom Shop models, but you can order your own dream custom Fender electric guitar from Fender Custom Shop.

You can request just about anything you want through your Fender dealer, and Fender Custom Shop will provide a serial number with your quotation. Please be aware that not all Fender dealers can order a 100% custom Fender electric guitar.

Gibson used to have its Custom Direct program, but that appears to have ended a few years ago. Here’s one example of what was produced for a customer:

If this Gibson Custom Electric Guitar is still available, you can get some backround here.

Hamer Guitars have been around since 1973. Hamer features both production and custom electric guitars. Word on the street is that Hamer electric guitars have a loyal following.

Here’s a long running manufacturer of custom electric guitars in Canada: Lado Guitars.

Terry C. McInturff has been making custom electric guitars for quite a while now. His McInturff guitars have a strong following. Check out the Options Page and build your own custom McInturff electric guitar.

Check out the Options Page at McNaught Guitars. McNaught has also been around for several years. Some of their electric guitars resemble Gibson electric models, and some resemble Fender electrics.

Paul Reed Smith offers their Private Stock department to handle your custom electric guitar needs.

If you want something more affordable, check out this manufacturer of custom electric guitars, Sparrow Guitar Co.. Apparently, their guitar bodies are brought in from China, and the finish and components are applied in Canada.

Zachary Guitars is a one man band just across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario. He’s been doing this for several years, and I am intrigued by his unique custom electric guitar designs.

Of course there are many fine manufacturers of custom jazz archtop electric guitars, including Benedetto, Douglas Harrison, and Sadowsky, to name a few.

So what is the trend? Players want something special when they shell out a lot of money for a new guitar. And a one-of-a-kind custom electic guitar is about is special as you can get. I expect the market for custom electric guitars to keep growing.

Tags: Add new tag, custom electric guitars