Official Luthiers Forum!

I saw that Schenk Guitars won the Acoustic Guitar Magazine Player's Choice award and he was named one of the "Top 8 luthiers in the USA". On his website he says he built his first guitar in 2005 so he's only been doing this less than 6 years. That's pretty amazing. Anybody know anything about his instruments?

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

I played three of his guitars at NAMM a couple years ago. One was around $20,000
and was one of the best sounding guitars I've ever played.

Of course Fillipo. Sinker is real splitty. So he has to account for the extra top or 20 he might need when one breaks. It's simple math really. On my most recent guitar I added two ports. Someone told me I could call them "stereo side ports" and upcharge $500 for two. So I will...when I can charge real money for my guitars. In like 10 years. Or more.

_________________
http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

I find his advertising campaign a bit distasteful. Basically it's "we're better than Martin". If that's the best thing you can say about yourself and your instruments, that's sad. But hey it obviously works.....

_________________
Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

He seems to be very succesfull, congatiulations! I like the wood he is using, I have never played one.

But when I read, stuff like: best, better, unique, blabla, biggest cock of all...Master, professor, 120 Million Dollar project...sorry
then I get a big puke-feeling.

This may be the reason why others, for example me, are not so famous. This is by the way nothing with beeing jealous, for me more a question about taste and attitude.

I know, of course, big companys have to have their PR like this, but as a single builder I like it differnet.

Anyhow, would like to meet him, and see what kind of person he is, perhaps it's only his wife doing thew PR....

Filippo,

That's brilliant! It's going to need an expensive sounding name. Something that makes it seem like I have done research with acoustic engineers if I am to justify that kind of upcharge. How does "Costa Acoustic Perforations (TM)" grab you? It sounds expensive, no? I will also need a good explanation of why it's better than one port. For example, "The CAP multi port system is better than a traditional small side port because multiple single ports allow the sound to be released from the highly engineered sound box in a more controlled manner. Simply put, more is better whether it be money or side ports. Perforations outperformed single side ports in our heavily biased internal testing. They are also expensive and we all know that when something costs more, it just has to be better. Why drive a Yugo side port when you can drive the Ferrari of side ports?"

I can see the line for my guitars growing already!

_________________
http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

Dear Toni, nice, very nice ( but don't tell or show anybody these Ovations with their mulit-soundhole tops, ok?)
And because I am sure that you, in your past, have been also involved into a 120 Milloin Dollar Project, your upcharge could be mor like 5500 Dollars, nearly as high as the Insignia BRW....

I find it distastefull too and I wonder how effective it is: it's turning the two of us off.

Copy the side vents of a vintage Buick and call it "The Roadmaster" Make sure to use chrome trim.

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Pretty impressive for a guy who's younger than me and only 6 years under his belt. hahahaha. Sold his second guitar for 5 grand O_o. I haven't even sold my 50th guitar for that much.They sure do look like beautiful guitars though.

Filippo,
I would never forget my roots. I am too humble and grounded to forget where I came from.
Now let me tell you about the most awesome guitars ever created. The following is an excerpt from my new advertising brochure:

Costa Guitars is proud to announce the introduction of, drummroll please: The "CHuM SPIT(TM)" system, a.k.a, The Costa Hurricane Multiple Side Port Incredible Tone System(TM)" surrounds the player with a virtual hurricane of incredible tone and enveloping sound in a manner that makes other guitars look like a child's plaything. Once you experience the powerful, earth shattering tone and volume of a ChuM SPIT(TM) enhanced guitar, you will burn all of your other guitars. Then you will sweep up the ashes, vomit on them, pour gasoline on them, burn them again and then bury the twice burned ashes in a pit at the bottom of the Marianas Trench.
Costa Guitars are also equipped with the patented "CRAP (TM)" pick up system, aka Crazy Realistic Acoustic Pick up(TM), (Patent pending) acoustic pick up system that has been proven to be the bestest, most awesome-est acoustic pick up in the history of recording. We had to develop this pick up system after the earth shattering tone of our CHuM SPIT(TM) acoustic enhancements literally caused other, inferior acoustic pick ups to weep in embarrassment at their obvious inferiority and then commit Hari Kari. Yes. Our guitars are THAT good, which is why a fully loaded Costa Guitar lists at over $150,000.
Of course, if you are a loser with only $75,000 in disposable income, you can always cheap out and get a lower end Costa Guitar.
The Costa YCB!! (You Cheap Bastard!!) entry level model is a "bare bones" instrument. Clearly, our version of Bare Bones is not what rolls out of Nazareth as an entry level guitar because I totally rock at building guitars. Instead of the face melting awesomeness of the CHuM SPIT system, you will be blessed, albeit to a much lesser, almost homeless person level, with the SH-IT, Sound Holes In Tandem, side port system which consists of only two embarrassingly non-hurricane like small side ports. Of course, this guitar will still sound better than the garbage coming out of any other shop, regardless of size or experience level, but your face will not be in danger of melting from the tone. You will not be disappointed with the tone of the YCB model...unless you have ever heard our top of the line instruments. If you have heard our top of the line stuff, you will likely kill your grandma to get your inheritance so you can buy one of our guitars. Sorry Granny, our guitars are worth more than you are. Don't get upset about it, you had a good run. Honestly, if you heard one of our guitars, you would probably help out your grandchild by eating some Drane-O so they don't have to commit murder. Just a suggestion. Maybe try being less selfish, mmmkay?
Costa Guitars: When the Best just isnt bestest enough, kill granny for a Costa.


Disclaimer: This, and other posts by me, are intended to be humorous on nature. I am in no way saying that I know anything about building acoustic guitars with face melting tone or volume. On the contrary, my guitar building skills consist of the ability to put all of the pieces of wood together in a manner which ends up resembling a guitar. I am simply using exaggeration and hyperbole in an attempt at humor. I am sure Mr. Schenk builds absolutely lovely instruments that sound and play wonderfully. I am merely poking fun at the advertising and marketing used in his website.

_________________
http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

MEOW!!
pvg

Seems like he has done well for himself. But he does seem full of himself. Quote about the Player Series.."it makes other great guitars seem mediocre". Have seen lots of folks chat up thier guitars and nothing wrong with that but this feels a bit like he's really putting down other top notch builders. Sure turns me off.
Tom

_________________
A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

Tony,

You are making this far too difficult.


'Costa Lot'

Mark

_________________
A world without music would Bb.

I think the big thing here is treats his guitar building like a business that's growing. While I don't like some of his advertizing either, nor do I care for painted guitars with flames on them, rivets or whatever. He pumps a lot of money into marketing, I used to get Fingerstyle magazine and he once distributed a demo CD in the magazine called "Master Guitars". At Healdsburg this year he had a big RV there all painted up like he was campaigning or something.
Maybe he started his lutherie career with 2 million in hopes of ending with one, I don't know. I had friend who played one of his guitars and said it was OK.
I think he's more business man than luthier, this may pretty obvious though.
I also think there's something to learn here about marketing and business.

_________________
Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Hey Tony - If you want to out-source your sound hole labels, I'm your guy! I figure at about 50 cents per letter, I can make a cool $75 per guitar, and for an additional $15 I will include a magnifying glass so your customers [ clientele? ] can read it!

Alex

P.S. If you provide a bus ticket and an evening at the Blue Note, I will personally install the labels !

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Top 8 Luthiers in USA. It's a pretty meaningless assertion and of course you would have to define the criteria. $25,000 after 6 years is pretty impressive, practically unheard of until now although I see that one of the Hausers is in a similar league.
It's how you sell, or at least it's a huge part of it.

Fillipo,
You wont be sorry. You have made a wise choice. Our other slogan is, "Costa Guitars, worth more than your wife and children."

Chris V.
Just give in. Resistance is futile. That was another of our slogans until Gene Roddenberry stole it.

Mark,
Good slogan, but it sends the wrong message. My guitars don't just cost a lot, they also sound better than a choir of angels with Auto-Tune.

Alex,
Your labels...are they made from silk harvested only during the full moon and ink from Giant squid taken from the belly of a sperm whale? Because those things enhance tone. Anything else is worthless. If that is the case, your bus ticket will be on its way shortly. Evening at the Blue Note included. Otherwise, find a rich relative you can "vanish" in order to get the money to buy one of my guitars.

FYI: All of this talk about my guitars has increased the hype and driven up the price. My best guitar is now $200,000 and the cheapo version is $100,000.
Plan accordingly.

_________________
http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

If thats the case, the label/magnifying glass is upped to $110 for multiples of 50. The silk isn't harvested in full moon, but it is processed in my Asian facility by virgin workers. [ no previous work experience ] Can we see Larry Coryell at the B.Note?
Alex

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

No Blue Note for you!!! Your silk is harvested improperly and would compromise the quality of my tone. Frankly, your supposition that I would use anything less than the highest quality silk is insulting and offensive.
Good day sir!

Filippo,
I think Dave Barry or Douglas Adams would be equally proud. Probably more so since none of this nonsense has resulted in one of my $200,000 guitars being sold.

_________________
http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

Layoffs at the virgin silk factory are on your head, Tony! Sorry if I was insulting and/or offensive. In my house, that is the domain of my wife and daughters, so I would want to horn in on anyone's action.


Alex

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

I'll get over it. I still have an ample supply of labels until you get a handle on your harvesting issues. When you get things under control, the job is yours!
Sorry for the Asian virgin layoffs.

_________________
http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

Guys,

I think we need to be a little careful about how hard we jump on this guy. Things on the internet move very quickly. He has done well for himself - and seems to build very nice instruments.

The fact that he has chosen to alienate himself from all other guitar makers (ironically even Kevin Ryan) with many, many of the comments that can be found all over the site is just the way he wants to roll. Personally, I feel that paying homage to the steps and innovations of the countless builders that contribute to this trade is more important in the long run, but that is his decision.

I just think we represent a community here that supports other builders - and does not necessarily seek to promote our own superiority.

moderator rant finished....

Stephen

_________________
www.ziegenfussguitars.com

He totally inspired a parody and I thank him for it. As for making you laugh Filippo, I am just returning the favor. But better. Because in addition to my kick a$$ guitars, I have developed a comedy system that is second to none. As yet, I have not developed a witty acronym for this system, but I assure you my team is working tirelessly on a super acronym for our super comedy system. We feel after nearly 180 years of others trying it was finally time for us to take this shape...I mean, artform, to the next level.

Grandiose statements like those made on his website draw this type of attention and satire. I am sure Mr. Schenk is a lovely man and I support his efforts to make the best guitars ever. Second only to mine of course.

_________________
http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

Don't worry about that. Any claims by other builders that they make a better guitar are just lies. If you hear a difference, your ears are broken.

_________________
http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC