Official Luthiers Forum!

Please try this new web-based classical/flamenco guitar design tool. I just finished this site for Larry Breslin, a long-time guitar maker:

http://www.deerheadguitars.com/SonataOr ... zeSpecs.do

After visiting, I would like to hear your feedback, suggestions for improvement, etc. You don't have to order a guitar, just select "estimate" to get a no-obligation email with your design/specification.

If you know of other websites with similar capabilities, I'd like to know about it. I haven't seen any out there...

Over all it is pretty good for a interactive design menu, but I tried this early on in my web site and found it saved me no time and only lead to some confusion by clients. Personally I think it is best to design the guitar, "at best" by sitting down with the client face to face. If that is not possible then via phone and email. There are so many questions to ask and answer that are individual to each player that cookie cutter design routines do not take into consideration. Again personally I think Custom builders are expected to give personal service and a routine like that give me a first impression that the site builder is well experienced in Front Page but that the builder is providing a less than personal touch.

I am not running anyone down that does it this way. It does seam like it should be efficient at first though but it was not for me. Just giving my opinion.

I think Paragon guitars used to have something similar. You may contact Rob to see if/why he took it down.

_________________
Mark Burton

Hook 'em Horns

It's interesting to note that Breslin is considering a "reduced" version for the reasons you note. His intent is to provide information, to establish interest, not to provide one-stop automated shopping-- that was my (apparently bad) idea! There is no doubt a personal workshop visit is the best way, but what to do about all those who will never walk through that door, all those players who cannot visit his workshop in Colorado?

This is my somewhat unsuccessful attempt at addressing this problem. However, I may have been doing my usual overkill design, to the point of "cookie-cutter" itemization routine, my idea, and it sounds like Larry will be cutting it back after a short evaluation period.

I am gathering any and all feedback and a summary will go to Breslin, but I suspect that my "full-blown" cookie machine is going on a Southbeach diet soon.

;->

(I just couldn't help myself-- as I start to build it, I just couldn't stop!)