Neil- Santa Cruz is regarded as one of the finest guitar makers in the world, along with Olson, Collins and a few others that I would call manufacturuers because they make more than a few hand-built guitars. But they aren't big makers like Taylor & Martin.
But for your signature guitar, you selected a very custom maker in Ed Claxton. Santa Cruz and the rest are very expensive intruments, most of them custom built. And you own a very unique Santa Cruz. I can only guess what an Ed Claxton costs but it has to be close to 5 figures.
What led you to choose Ed Claxton and what were you looking for in a custom guitar that you didn't feel you could get with Santa Cruz or another high end maker?
Most of us will never play a custom guitar of that caliber. But it is still fascinating to many of us.
Thanks for giving us a peek into very high end luthierie and professional musicians?
Rick
Santa Cruz vs. Ed Claxton
I have a Mossman acoustic. Since the shop is only about 100 miles from home, I actually got to watch them build parts of my guitar. Custom-builts are certainly NOT for everyone, but if you want to choose the wood, sound, action, thickness of the neck, etc., right down to the inlays, it is the way to go. Because of the price, this was a one time only thing for me, but I have never regretted it at all. Sometimes it is okay to do something really nice for yourself. That year I had worked particularly hard and I felt I had earned this bonus.
I have many other guitars and I have loaned them to friends for even weeks at a time, but I won't let anyone else even play my BABY. They can look, but don't touch!
Bill
I have many other guitars and I have loaned them to friends for even weeks at a time, but I won't let anyone else even play my BABY. They can look, but don't touch!
Bill
Funny you should ask, but up until a couple of days ago. I had been using a picture of my Mossman as my avatar for the last 5 months. I am still having trouble getting pictures to load into thread replies. I will keep trying though.
Bill
Bill
I think we will doa little video interview ..
IM going down to santa cruz factory with Neil in a few weeks, we have discussed this a few times, and I think I may end up getting a custome made locally to Neil as he has someone close to him that has just moved back to the area who does amazing work..but Id like to share that with you once I have talked it over with Neil..
So maybe next week well doa quick video interview on these two then follow up with some more info next few weeks..
IM going down to santa cruz factory with Neil in a few weeks, we have discussed this a few times, and I think I may end up getting a custome made locally to Neil as he has someone close to him that has just moved back to the area who does amazing work..but Id like to share that with you once I have talked it over with Neil..
So maybe next week well doa quick video interview on these two then follow up with some more info next few weeks..
mattwilliams wrote:
That sounds great, Matt!! Few of us ever get to look inside the mind of a professional guitarist and what they look for in a super premium instrument. I'm particularly interested in the decision process to go from Santa Cruz to Claxton. Did Neil gain anything or was it the lure of having a very rare custom guitar?
Cheers!
I think we will doa little video interview ..
So maybe next week well doa quick video interview on these two then follow up with some more info next few weeks..
That sounds great, Matt!! Few of us ever get to look inside the mind of a professional guitarist and what they look for in a super premium instrument. I'm particularly interested in the decision process to go from Santa Cruz to Claxton. Did Neil gain anything or was it the lure of having a very rare custom guitar?
Cheers!