Welcome to Monson Guitars. Here you will find some of the most unique guitars around. Inspired by The Misfits, specifically Doyle's Annihilator, and the custom guitars they built, I began building guitars in January 2001. I was looking to make something different. Having worked on guitars with bands, including my own, for years and having fifteen years of woodworking experience, I began. With a slab of Black Walnut, I designed and built my first guitar, The Impaler, complete with a coffin case and six handles. A labor of love began. I went on to build The Wizard, The Witch and The Dragon. I sold a few, but kept many for myself because I ended up liking the sound and feeling more than any of my other guitars. Most of all, they were unique.
Monson Guitars was started in Northern California, spent a brief time in Austin, TX and is currently located near the Chico, CA area. Over the years, I've developed an arsenal of designs to rival anyone. From my early designs to the more recent designs showing my design experience......shaping the future of how you'll see functional and extreme. My guitars are a combination of function and bad ass looks. I try to make all my guitars function well first. It should be comfortable to play, well balanced, sound even better and look unique. I also try to make my guitars affordable. People coming up in the underground should be able to afford them, hence the reason for offering a base model guitar that isn't "loaded". I do not mass produce guitars. All my guitars are hand-made to order. Getting a custom built guitar for $1,200 is completely unheard of in the guitar industry. There are some guys out there making some cool guitars, and there are some out there making some real expensive novelty items...Something I try to avoid. I make guitars for people who want to strap these suckers on and play! However, it should be said, handmade guitars are more sensitive and responsive than factory guitars.....they have personality and this is why we play them....they have feel and tone.
The longer I build guitars, it has become increasingly obvious that the guitar industry is much like the music industry itself. There's a bunch of people sitting in a office who are completely out of touch with musicians and the music scene itself, who are trying to sell their guitars as the next trendy thing, while the real music scene is happening right under their noses. Most of the guitar industry is run by corporations who are just looking at the bottom line. I have no desire to fit in with the guitar industry! I'm just a guy building guitars....no corporate agendas to think about. I take great pride in my craftsmanship and I'm always working on new and more unique designs. Quality is always a priority and nothing leaves my shop unless it meets my standards. I love to use black walnut as well as cherry because of the tone and sustain, not to mention the beauty, are excellent in my view. I've got so many designs coming it's ridiculous!.....and that is never going to stop. Many have made Monson guitars a requirement on stage and in the studio. Monson guitars, creating guitars that inspire you to create.
New information and guidelines regarding sponsorship / endorsement is now up on the information page.
All guitar designs on this web site are the property of Monson Guitars. By entering and viewing the guitars on this web site, you agree to not reproduce or assimilate any designs contained herein. If you do not agree to these terms, you will be subject to legal action!
Brent w/ the Invictus
Tomas of Freevil with the Asylum!
7-string Bloodwood!
Check out the new Psycho Charger video for "I Eat the Dead"! It's delicious! You can see some killer shots of Jimmy playing the Outlaw!
Jerry of Pretty Pretty with the Serpent! Photo by brutallyfeminine!
Roger of Freevil with his Wizard Bass!
Monstrosity & Jackal of The Crimson Ghosts w/ the Ripper & and Baphomet! Photo by Hofkatze
"Well to make it short - our new sound wakes the dead! The bass kicked our guts so hard when we rehearsed!!! This is definately a reason why the crimson ghosts will get a step further. I felt absolutely comfortable with [The Baphomet]....many people were pointing at our guitars and like "damn look at that!!!"....besides that the guitars played SO good!" - Jackal JACKAL: "Brent Monson created the most evil looking sexy guitars for us and they sound even more evil than they look!! You can not even imagine!! MONSTRO: That axe will follow me into my grave when my time finally has come! "
"Holy sh*t mate! This is a sex beast of a guitar, it is absolutely stunning down to the very last detail, perfectly weighted with great sustain and the looks on this baby is the kind of thing that starts wars! I have played a lot of guitars in my time and this rinses them all hands down. I can't wait to hit the road with my new best friend.......Thanks so much mate, this has by far surpassed my expectations (which were bloody high). I feel honoured to possess such a majestic piece of craftsmanship." - Rick - Chaos Blood
Rick of Chaos Blood and his Piranha!
Tobias of Godphobia with his Piranha!
"I got the guitar! This guitar is really amazing. Perfect body and perfect balance. Perfect action and perfect paint. There's no words for how cool it is. I will enjoy taking it on tour, each and every day of the tour. You're really a guitar master! Thanks Brent!........it will kick ass live too. Feels really reliable. The SH-5 is killer, gives quite a boost in both distortion and clean. And the neck is just right for me. Thanks again for this awesome guitar!" - Tobias
XARIA and the Wizard!
"Your design, handiwork and purpleburst finish are gorgeous. Finally I have a more heavy and dark sound. This combination of EMG active electronics and mahogany body rules! I adore a long sustain, cool for 'slow, deep and hard' parts and a selective sound when playing riffs or solos. It's cool weighted and less heavy than my previous guitar....I will recommend your guitars to all, especially to those who like original and individualized combination of eccentric shape and sinister sound... This Wizard is unique - I will surely abuse it!!! ;-)" - Xaria - Luminaria
