If you had $2kUSD for a custom 8 string, what would you get?

[Awaiting Oblivion]

OP be like…

> “What guitar should I buy?”

> *creates thread*

> “SIKE! I’m not in the market for a guitar.”

Said it pretty early in the thread but who cares about previous posts right? Also probably would have mentioned specifics not just brands? But if I must follow the poll and go buy one I guess I’m now in the market for “ save up more and buy a different brand” so let me know if you see any deals!

 

[Awaiting Oblivion]

Ah, OK. Well, I'm going to go out on a limb here, and say damn near everyone is going to take the Skervy, given that if one can be found for $2000 it's a hell of a deal. I'm not sure I've seen one for sale under $2000 in the last 3 years. A used Kiesel at $2000 probably isn't that much different from the oodles of other used Kiesels, UNLESS you can find out with some killer specs that you specifically want.

What is the semi custom Ormsby? I wasn't aware there was a semi custom line. I thought it was just the GTRs and full customs. (Although, those full customs are just semi customs, really - but priced super high, so I'm not sure if those are what you're referring to.)

Most people in the poll said save more for something else or a basic Kiesel over the used Skervesen. Not really what I would have expected.

But yeah those Ormsbys where you can choose your own wood I guess. I think that’s really the only option with them around that price. I was just trying to think of options in the price range of $2k. But in this hypothetical, it doesn’t look like anybody would go that route.

 

[oracles]

Most people in the poll said save more for something else or a basic Kiesel over the used Skervesen. Not really what I would have expected.

But yeah those Ormsbys where you can choose your own wood I guess. I think that’s really the only option with them around that price. I was just trying to think of options in the price range of $2k. But in this hypothetical, it doesn’t look like anybody would go that route.

Most people here realize that under $2k, you aren't going to get a better deal than a used RG2228/852. Only once you get up to the $2.5k-$3k range are you going to get anything potentially better.

Anything outside of a 2228/852 under $2k, you're just buying based on personal preference, not because any of those options listed are objectively better than the others, they're all roughly equivalent.

 

[Hollowway]

Most people in the poll said save more for something else or a basic Kiesel over the used Skervesen. Not really what I would have expected.

But yeah those Ormsbys where you can choose your own wood I guess. I think that’s really the only option with them around that price. I was just trying to think of options in the price range of $2k. But in this hypothetical, it doesn’t look like anybody would go that route.

I think people may have misunderstood the point of the thread. I think people took it to mean, if you had $2,000 and wanted to get a custom 8, what would you recommend? I wouldn't click the Skervesen option, because it didn't say used, and I would have felt like I'd be sending you on a wild goose chase trying to find unobtainium. I think people checked the Kiesel or Valravn boxes, because they're literally the only options at that price point.

You could start another thread and ask people, if they had $2000 and could find any of these brands for sale, all things being equal, what would they get?

 

[prlgmnr]

What guitar should I get if I don't want to get a guitar?

 

[littlebadboy]

For those that would buy a different brand, what brands?

Take a look at the GOC headless 8s.

 

[CanserDYI]

Take a look at the GOC headless 8s.

Can you actually find someplace with it in stock?

 

[littlebadboy]

Can you actually find someplace with it in stock?

Good point. When a production is out, everyone is on it like crazy. You may have to check their Facebook group. Sometimes, there's one up for sale.

 

[littlebadboy]

Can you actually find someplace with it in stock?

Drop Dee in Nashville has a few nice 7s now. Perhaps try to ask them if they can get you an 8.

 

[Awaiting Oblivion]

⚰️ R.I.P. This Thread

 

[prlgmnr]

What guitar should I get if I don't want to get a guitar?

actually now I think about it this site is littered with examples of builders to go with if this is the outcome I really want

 

[John]

What guitar should I get if I don't want to get a guitar?

ViK is a viable option if you don't want a guitar despite sending over that money, even after several years have passed.

 

[Velokki]

Skervesens are decently nice for what they are.

However, I would just get an Aristides. Or a production guitar from ESP or Ibanez.
Aristides are more expensive, yes, but they are pretty much impeccable.

 

[ToRNOuTLaW]

Regarding Valravn:
I ordered my 7-String in february 2021 and received it this weekend. Some of the delays are of course war-related and for that I am happy to have received the guitar save and sound. Their shop is close to the polish border, I was was worried though when the guitar was send to outbound customs in kiev and lay there for 2 weeks. All good in the end.
They're operations and organization can certainly still be improved, but communication (via telegram) was very good and friendly, Taras took a lot of time to discuss options, give advice and keep me up to date with progress.

To the guitar/custom specs:
I was able to chose all the woods, color/finish, pickups, electronics/wiring, neck attachment (neck-through), scale length. They offer 2 brands of bridges afaik.
I prefer the design of the munnin-model over everything Kiesel, Skeversen and Ormsby have to offer. That is of course a matter of taste.

I paid 1650$ (All prices in $, even when you order from europe).
2 reviews I read/heard talked about problems with electronics or the need to do a proper setup.
I tuned my guitar after it had been going through shipment in the winter and it was ready to go.

I love the ergonomics, the overall feel, playability and sound of the Valravn.
As good and better in those aspects as my Strandberg Paul Masvidal (the old one).
Balance is perfect, no neck-dive with even a narrow strap.

The only flaw I could find ist that the finish on the insides of the cutaways aren't quite as smooth as everywhere else. Nothing you can see, only feel if you are checking for it.
I intend to take some 800grid sandpaper to it.

Pro:
- I doubt you can get anything of this overall quality and custom specced for that money anywhere else right now.
Con:
- Super long wait, maybe they are faster now with their new workshop established a few months ago.
- A little bit unorganized regarding order details, but it was all worked out through communication
- Minor lack of sanding in some areas

 

[CanserDYI]

Wait I always thought Valravn were based in Ukraine but outsourced the labor like every other company, are they actually building them personally in Ukraine?

 

[littlebadboy]

Regarding Valravn:
I ordered my 7-String in february 2021 and received it this weekend. Some of the delays are of course war-related and for that I am happy to have received the guitar save and sound. Their shop is close to the polish border, I was was worried though when the guitar was send to outbound customs in kiev and lay there for 2 weeks. All good in the end.
They're operations and organization can certainly still be improved, but communication (via telegram) was very good and friendly, Taras took a lot of time to discuss options, give advice and keep me up to date with progress.

To the guitar/custom specs:
I was able to chose all the woods, color/finish, pickups, electronics/wiring, neck attachment (neck-through), scale length. They offer 2 brands of bridges afaik.
I prefer the design of the munnin-model over everything Kiesel, Skeversen and Ormsby have to offer. That is of course a matter of taste.

I paid 1650$ (All prices in $, even when you order from europe).
2 reviews I read/heard talked about problems with electronics or the need to do a proper setup.
I tuned my guitar after it had been going through shipment in the winter and it was ready to go.

I love the ergonomics, the overall feel, playability and sound of the Valravn.
As good and better in those aspects as my Strandberg Paul Masvidal (the old one).
Balance is perfect, no neck-dive with even a narrow strap.

The only flaw I could find ist that the finish on the insides of the cutaways aren't quite as smooth as everywhere else. Nothing you can see, only feel if you are checking for it.
I intend to take some 800grid sandpaper to it.

Pro:
- I doubt you can get anything of this overall quality and custom specced for that money anywhere else right now.
Con:
- Super long wait, maybe they are faster now with their new workshop established a few months ago.
- A little bit unorganized regarding order details, but it was all worked out through communication
- Minor lack of sanding in some areas

Thank you for sharing. I think my dormant GAS has been activated.

 

[ToRNOuTLaW]

Wait I always thought Valravn were based in Ukraine but outsourced the labor like every other company, are they actually building them personally in Ukraine?

They build everything in Ukraine. As far as I know, the owner does staining/finishing, electronics etc., someone else does woodwork. He regularly sent me pics to give updates of the build, like the ordered woods, color samples, woodworking.

I hope it's okay to post pics offtopic, otherwise let me know and I'll remove them!

 

[bostjan]

They build everything in Ukraine. As far as I know, the owner does staining/finishing, electronics etc., someone else does woodwork. He regularly sent me pics to give updates of the build, like the ordered woods, color samples, woodworking.

I hope it's okay to post pics offtopic, otherwise let me know and I'll remove them! View attachment 117893 View attachment 117895 View attachment 117899 View attachment 117900 View attachment 117901

Dang that looks incredible, especially for that kind of money!

~2 years from deposit to guitar in hand is not particularly bad of a wait time for a full custom, especially considering ~1 year of that time was during a hot war involving the country of origin.

I was super skeptical of this builder at first, since they were advertising everywhere on facebook and in forums, but had zero actual customers and everything else sounded too good to be true. Honestly, some of this still sounds too good to be true, but now that there are a handful of happy customers, hopefully this turns into a successful business that can keep up with demand!

 

[ToRNOuTLaW]

I was super skeptical of this builder at first, since they were advertising everywhere on facebook and in forums, but had zero actual customers and everything else sounded too good to be true. Honestly, some of this still sounds too good to be true, but now that there are a handful of happy customers, hopefully this turns into a successful business that can keep up with demand!

I know what you mean, I willingly took a gamble. I don't have a facebook/IG account and still think they should build a proper Website.
They didn't take a deposit immediately, although I offered to pay one.
I guess worst case (me not wanting the guitar anymore) they just would have sold it on reverb. Looks like they regularly sell there quite quickly, so no money lost. There seems to be an 8-String for sale right now.
Only when they needed to order the pickups they asked for a deposit of 300$.
The rest, including a gigbag with the Valravn Logo and shipment was payed when the guitar was finished. Shipped next day.
I assume they are trying to build the brand with happy customers early and prices will increase now steadily.

 

[Awaiting Oblivion]

They build everything in Ukraine. As far as I know, the owner does staining/finishing, electronics etc., someone else does woodwork. He regularly sent me pics to give updates of the build, like the ordered woods, color samples, woodworking.

I hope it's okay to post pics offtopic, otherwise let me know and I'll remove them! View attachment 117893 View attachment 117895 View attachment 117899 View attachment 117900 View attachment 117901

That looks really nice! And I believe you are correct on the woodworking. They have a person that does all the CNC programming. He’s tagged them on IG a few times and he has a series just of Valravn builds. I believe he’s also in the Ukraine. https://instagram.com/alex.exwood?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU=