So you can go to your local music store or even here on ebay and find a working guitar for really cheap. The problem is there is a big difference in quality over the more expensive guitars. It might seem obvious, but some people wonder why some guitars sell for so much. Part of it is the name they have established and advertised to create a demand, and for others it is something very different-The guitars are made by hand.

There is great debate over what exactly is a hand made guitar. Some say if you use any tool you have to plug in, then it's not hand made. To me, I think that's a bit off. I think that if you use a tool (CNC machine) that is programmed to cut out guitars and there is little or no hands doing anything other than pushing the button, then it's not hand made. Makers who use CNC's claim accuracy, and are able to build guitars at an alarming rate. It's good for them and very good for business, but assembly line guitars are lacking something that guitars made with careful hand crafted building can offer.

There's a reason older guitars with popular brand names are worth so much, and it's not all about their age or name. They were built by only a select few people who really knew their stuff. Most larger companies have 50-60 people working on one small aspect of the guitar, and they do the same thing every day they go to work. 

The hand made process is much more personal. You won't make a fortune building them this way, but you can offer some advantages over mass produced guitars. Woods are usually selected for the cutomer and chosen by them. The custom builder may have models in their line, but each part of the model can be customized and the woods are usually hand selected by the maker. I personally love going to the wood shop and finding just the right selection! Great time and energy is put into the building, and the end result is something that will not dissapoint, and will be truly YOUR guitar.

I have great respect for the companies who have made it big making guitars. I think I would love to be able to sell enough to provide for my family, but I also want to make something that is quality before I put my name on it.

There are a lot of great handmade guitars out there, and even some that appear on Ebay now and then. Do some research, dream something up, and get ahold of someone who can give your guitar the personal touch inspired by you and delivered by their hands.

Portersrv

Porter Guitars