Help me pick a custom 7 string maker (Aussie)

[Vidaeus]

Hi all

I am looking for a guitar manufacturer in Australia (if possible) that will make me a custom 7 string. Something like this:
http://www.ranguitars.com/ran-models...rusher-110.jpg
Real dark wood (that one is stained swamp ash I think) plain oil finished, macassar ebony fretboard, bare knuckle pickups. I'm not real fussed on the rest of the hardware eg. fret size, tuners, bridge type. That one is a RAN guitar, but from my searches it seems that RAN has a somewhat inconsistent reputation?
I want to spend around $2000-$2500 AUD/USD including shipping. Can I find something like that locally in australia for that price or am I better off importing something?
I have seen a few names thrown around for US guitar builders - Carvin, Bernie Rico, Stinnett. Are they in my price range? Any other recommendations

[TimSE]

I think ormsby are made in Aus? Theyre really rather nice from what I hear

[Adrian-XI]

How about the katana from Et guitars?

[Malkav]

I'd say either ET or Oni, but Oni may be a bit out of that price range

[Dommak89]

Originally Posted by Adrian-XI

How about the katana from Et guitars?

^this!

[HOKENSTYFE]

Etherial Guitars. O-V-E-R, over.

[Fiction]

Ernie from ET Guitars is your man for 7 String RG-styled

Oni is out, he is a bit over your price range, Carvin, whilst are great, are not worth it to us Australians, they have about an extra $1000 on top of the price. As HOKEN Said you could try Etherial, they have some crazy looking stuff, but personally just from pictures I'd steer clear. Ormsby has some super awesome designs, so also contact him, I think he may be a bit more expensive then what you got, but i'm not too sure. ETs are far cheaper around the $1500 mark.

[Vidaeus]

Thanks for the quick replies and advice all. Yes, I just checked out the Katana from ET and it looks very nice! Just sent them an enquiry about it!

I did see Etherial previously but their stuff looks waaaayyy to crazy (and fragile). Even though I only live like 200km from them. And they don't seem very experience. Judging from what is on the website, it seems like they have only made like 2 guitars so far? I don't really want to to have the 3rd from an "unknown"...

Still open to suggestions

[TankJon666]

Check out Ormsby guitars. From what I have heard they are the nuts!!

[capoeiraesp]

For $2000-$2500 you won't get a custom Ormsby unfortunately and he has suspended taking on new custom orders for at least 3 months. As an alternative he does do his guitar building courses (can't wait to do mine in January - Multiscale 7) and if you can find 2 other like minded people I know he'd probably run his standard course but for 7 stringers around your budget.
Other than that dude I'm not really sure who else you could try in Australia beside ET Guitars that does well constructed pieces and quality inlay work.

Seriously though, Ormsbys are amazing and worth saving the cash needed.

[iloki]

Etherial Guitars make some really, REALLY nice customs.

[mongey]

Ernie at ET is a good guy. I'm getting a katana 7 Built at the moment.

[Danukenator]

IMO, I haven't heard enough about Etherial to fully trust them. They seem like they may play well but have questionable quality for the smaller details.

I'd check out Oni, perhaps save to get one because I've yet to hear bad things about them.

ET has a pretty decent reputation as well.

Regarding RAN, from what I've read, they had issues when they were getting started and in their earlier years. I haven't heard anything bad about them for a while now.

[Eric]

Ernie at ET built the GMC in my avatar.

[Thrashmanzac]

check out serles guitars in ballarat victoria

[LolWotGuitar]

J.F guitars in Australia.
By far some of the best looking builds I have ever seen. The craftsmanship is outstanding, the amount of attention to detail is just staggering, and everything right down to the base woods is extremely unique. Jeremy is an incredibly nice guy, and he is probably one of the best luthiers that I have even had a conversation with. He is very well educated, and his attention to detail in his work is unparalleled.

Oni is pretty good too from what I have played.
Very high quality, pretty resonant, but the body shape doesn't sit as well with me because I probably didn't have enough time to get used to them.

[Navid]

Searls Guitars is in Australia as well. He is an active forum member, you should contact him

[Polythoral]

Originally Posted by LolWotGuitar

J.F guitars in Australia.
By far some of the best looking builds I have ever seen. The craftsmanship is outstanding, the amount of attention to detail is just staggering, and everything right down to the base woods is extremely unique. Jeremy is an incredibly nice guy, and he is probably one of the best luthiers that I have even had a conversation with. He is very well educated, and his attention to detail in his work is unparalleled.

Oni is pretty good too from what I have played.
Very high quality, pretty resonant, but the body shape doesn't sit as well with me because I probably didn't have enough time to get used to them.

Does JF work in that price range? Still considering options for myself, though I'm probably going with Acacia. His stuff does look great though, especially since the stuff he's done is similar to what I want.

[noizfx]

The first name that came to mind is Oni, as I have a custom from him at the moment, and I have a custom from him because the reviews have pretty much been perfect, never heard anything even close to negative about them. However Oni is well over your budget and Dan also stopped talking orders.

From the pictures I've seen I wouldn't trust Etherial though... if you look at some of the details they look quite sketchy...

[Stealthdjentstic]

Good choice not going with Etherial. I think DeVries is their inlay guy

[Polythoral]

I might be able to try an Etherial some day soon, just gotta get Sarah Longfield to let me. xD She seems pretty happy with it, but then again I don't know if shes played any other real high end instruments that she'd be able to compare it to.

ET Guitars actually look pretty sick. The finishes on those for sale ones are insane.

[Stealthdjentstic]

Did you see the pictures of their stuff? Believe me when I say if it looks like shit in pictures its going to be even worse IRL!

[Polythoral]

Originally Posted by Stealthdjentstic

Did you see the pictures of their stuff? Believe me when I say if it looks like shit in pictures its going to be even worse IRL!

Yeah, I really dislike their designs for the most part. It's like their tried to throw some of that gangsta/redneck hybrid tribal tattoos on guitars more ridiculous than BC Richs.

Sarah's doesn't look terrible in person to be honest, but not something I'd be willing to pay for. I'm still curious as to how the playability and actual quality of them is though, so I'd like to try it.

[capoeiraesp]

^Not to mention the glue joins, neck angles, bridge positioning, binding jobs etc.

[Vicious7]

I remember seeing a guy on here getting a custom Etherial and was asking about the best finish options, interesting shapes to be sure, as if anyone argues with you about it you could impale them with the headstock.

For suggestions, I'd say check out Siggery guitars, you can get one for a good price and still have some left over for a couple dozen Devries.