Pros and cons of a custom made guitar

Thinking of commissioning a custom-made guitar? Below are some pros and cons.
(Also, a photo of me with my one, made by Bear Guitars - UK)

The Pros

  • Personalized Fit – You choose the neck shape, scale length, string spacing, and body style that feel perfect in your hands. For my guitar, I chose the smallest neck possible and the lightest solution as well, as at the time I was going around gigging a lot on public transport and I had back issues. Also, I put the pickup selector in a position where it's impossible to switch by accident when I play (see photo above). I used to be very clumsy.

  • Unique Look: From exotic woods to custom finishes, inlays, or hardware, your guitar can truly look like your instrument. I chose a very simple one.

  • Tailored Sound: Pickups, tonewoods, and construction all designed around the tone you want (bright, warm, heavy, versatile).

  • Quality Craftsmanship: Most luthiers put extreme care into hand-building each piece, often better than mass-produced instruments.

  • Emotional Value: It’s not just a guitar, it’s a unique instrument you’ve helped design.

The Cons

  • High Cost: Custom guitars can be significantly more expensive than traditional models.

  • Long Wait Times: Building from scratch takes weeks or months, depending on the luthier.

  • Risk of Disappointment: Even with detailed specs, the final feel/sound might not fully match what you imagined. In my experience, I was a bit disappointed about the colour, for instance. It is quite different from the one I showed. But it's a good one anyway, so I can't complain much.

  • Low Resale Value – Since it’s built to your taste, it might not appeal to others if you ever try to sell it. I don't think I'm ever gonna sell my one. I love it, and I don't think people would ever offer good money, honestly.

Commissioning a custom guitar makes the most sense if you have a clear idea of what you need, if you want a guitar that’s truly yours, or if you want to invest in something special. Here are some famous examples: 

  • Eddie Van Halen. The EVH Frankenstrat, built from spare parts and became one of the most iconic custom guitars in history.

  • Steve Vai: His Ibanez JEM models started as custom builds tailored to his needs.

  • Brian May: The Red Special, hand-built with his father, remains one of rock’s most legendary guitars, very unique and recognizable.

  • John Mayer: After Fender, he collaborated on custom builds with PRS before releasing his signature Silver Sky.

  • Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine):  His “Arm the Homeless” guitar was a custom build that defined his sound.

If you're looking for other useful tips and one-on-one interaction with me, check out my new course, Guitar with Giovanni.