All guitars and basses are custom hand built to order in the U.S.
I can not stress enough that nothing is mass produced in China!
Typically, guitars that are custom hand built in the U.S. cost between $4,000-$5,000.
To have one built for between $1,500-$2,500 is a bargain.
Do not compare my pricing to guitars mass produced in China!
Any picture of a Monson Guitar does not represent some kind of production model that only comes with what you see.
I also try to keep a wide variety of lower priced guitars in stock for anyone who wants a great guitar without the custom built price.
Base price starts at $1,549.
The base price of $1,549 is for a standard 6-string guitar or 4-string bass with a bolt-on neck and fixed bridge. ALL guitars come with a high quality 2-way adjusting truss rod and fully shielded electronics. Designs with hand carving comes standard at no charge!
This also features: -22-fret maple neck -ebony fretboard (with dot inlays or no inlays) -25 1/2" scale for guitar or 34" for bass -Volume, tone, and a 3-way switch. -Black Hardware Standard pickup options (set of 2):
-Duncan Detonator -EMG Select -Lawrence -Powered by Lace -GFS
Standard body wood options: -walnut, alder, ash, poplar, cherry, sapelle or mahogany
Standard bridge options (with or without string-thru body mounting): -Gotoh flat mount bridge -Tune-o-matic bridge
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Add $129 for bolt-on neck with 24 fret extension.
Also available with the $129 - 24 fret extension - is a 27" baritone scale length OR 10"-14" compound radius fretboard
Add $249 for maple neck thru-body construction - The neck thru has a 25" scale length with 24 frets. Bass has 34" scale with 24 frets. *Pricing for set neck guitars and neck-thru guitars is the same.
Add $159 for (2) passive Seymour Duncan's, Dimarzio's, or EMG's
Add $179 for (2) active EMG's, S.D. Blackouts, Lace, or Bartolini's -other options include BareKnuckle pickups.....please inquire for price.
Add $139 for a tremolo system. Fastloader Floyd Rose. That includes locking nut.
Add $239 for Original Floyd Rose tremolo
Add $329 for Kahler tremolo. Add $59 for Schaller locking tuners.
Add $159 for 7-string guitar or 5-string bass ($249 for neck-thru still applies) Add another $109 for 6-string bass or 8-string guitar. *Note - Additional price may apply for pickups, tuners and bridge.
Single inlay on the 12th fret is $79. Inlay on the 11th,12th, &13th frets are $139. Base price for full custom inlays is $369. (goes up depending on the design)
Neck binding is $289. Body Binding is $369 (subject to change with different bodies). Head binding is $129.
Inquire about the use of figured or exotic woods. I usually have walnut, zebrawood, purpleheart, wenge, ziricote, macassar ebony, pale moon ebony, buckeye burl, bloodwood and many different figured maples on hand. Usual charge for figured wood top is $129 and goes up from there.
Inquire for pricing of custom graphics and electronics. Usual charge for outlined pinstripe graphic is $59.
Additional pricing may apply for custom scale lengths, neck wood and fretting. Usual charge for custom scale length is $129. Stainless Steel fretting is $50.
Dunlop strap locks are $15.
*All guitars are available LEFT-HANDED at no extra charge*
CASES
Cases are form fitted to each guitar. Add $119 for a standard form fitted case.
Add $169 for a standard oversize form fitted case.
Add $219 for custom form fitted ABS case.
*Some extra size designs will require a $219 case. *Designs including the Baphomet Bass, Virus Bass, and HellRazor Bass will require a really extra size custom case. Add $289.
There is a large misconception that 'pointy' guitars shipped without a case will surely arrive damaged. This could not be further from the truth. This may be true if you order a guitar from a warehouse, but not from me! All guitars, with or without cases, are shipped with extreme care and fully insured!
PAINT AND FINISH
There are 4 different kinds of finish that I offer. Guitars can also sometimes be done in a combination of finishes.
1- Hand rubbed oil finish. included in the base price This is a great way to finish a guitar, but does only work with certain woods like walnut, purpleheart, and other exotics. One advantage is that you don't have layers of paint buildup to "deaden" the tone of your guitar....great for tone freaks! Also, if you're guitar gets a little scratched up, you can simply just rub a little more tung oil on it....good as new. This also includes the "Black Oil" , "Blood Oil" , "Royal Oil" , "Midnight Oil" , "Emerald Oil" finishes.
2- Flat black finish. included in the base price. This is more of an industrial machine finish. It is enamel based. It provides excellent protection and is the kind of finish for the person who is going for a certain look and feel to their guitar. This also comes in Flat Green. I also do a Flat Black 'Battleworn' finsh
3- Satin lacquer finish.included in the base price. This is the kind of finish you'd find more on vintage guitars like Gibson and an excellent way to finish a guitar. It should also be said that lacquer has made great advances over the years. Lacquer does not turn yellow and crack anymore like the lacquer finishes of the 70's. This is also the finish for Monson's "Gun Metal Grey" and "Granite" finishes.
4- High gloss clear coat finish. If you feel that your guitar is only as good as the finish that it has on it, then this is the only finish you need to consider. This is the modern style of guitar finish and is the highest quality as well. Buffed to a perfect shine. This is the also the Monson "Black Ice" finish type as well as the "Obsidian" finish.
Add $99 for high gloss clear coat finish. Add $149 for Virus, Phantom and Nightstalker designs w/ clear coat.
SHIPPING
Shipping in the U.S. is a flat rate of $69.
Inquire about international shipping charges. Cost is usually $159. Larger size guitars that exceed girth limits will cost as much as $800 extra for international shipping inlcuding Baphomet Bass, Virus Bass, Invictus Bass, HellRazor Bass, Visceral Bass and Piranha Bass. You will also be responsible for your country's import / duty taxes. (Can be very little....under $50 in some countries. Can be very expensize....over $350 in other countries).
There is a large misconception that 'pointy' guitars shipped without a case will surely arrive damaged. This could not be further from the truth. This may be true if you order a guitar from a warehouse, but not from me! All guitars, with or without cases, are shipped with extreme care!
ORDERING
Monson Guitars currently does not have any authorized distributors. Please contact Monson Guitars directly for sales! Email: monsonguitars@yahoo.com
With so many factors involved, it is best to contact Brent for an accurate quote.
I do a 50/50 payment plan. A down payment of half the quoted price before I start and half upon completion. I will, under certain instances, setup a payment plan with you of 4 payments at 25%. Please contact me if you wish to do this and we'll set it up.
I accept credit cards and bank cards securely through paypal. I also accept money orders and wire transfers. If sending a money order or wire transfer please contact me first for information. If your using paypal, just go to www.paypal.com and send to monsonguitars@yahoo.com .
*Note - The current build time for a guitar is about 6 months.
A contact phone number is provided to customers who have made a down payment. However, Email is my preferred method for correspondance. Otherwise I end up playing phone tag.
*Refunds are given only at my discretion*
F.A.Q.'s
How much is ‘this’ guitar?
This is a custom shop and all guitars are quoted and priced by the individual guitar. Check above for pricing guidelines. I am more than happy to give you a quote for your guitar.
Can I get ‘this’ head design on ‘that’ guitar body? Can I get ‘this’ guitar with ‘these’ pickups?
Yes, this is a custom guitar shop and just about anything possible can be done on your guitar.
Would you be willing to build my custom designed guitar?
Yes, I will build your custom designed guitar as long as it's not too much like another guitar. There may be a setup fee for this.
I am an amateur guitar designer. Would you be interested in buying my guitar designs?
No, I am not interested in buying anyone else’s guitar designs.
My band is going on tour. Would you be interested in sponsoring my band financially on tour?
Not unless you are already a Monson endorsed band.
Do you recreate or do replicas of other guitars?
No.
I am interested in building my own guitar, but I have no experience or idea where to start. Can you send me pictures, plans, or dimensions for building a guitar that you have made?
No.
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These are some older designs that I have built in the past and have just slipped off the radar over the years. The Wizard, the Wizard Bass, the Banshee, the Skeksis, the Serpent, the Demon, the Dragon, and the Impaler. Just let me know if you're interested in one....I've been considering redesigning a couple of them.
All guitar designs on this web site are the property of Monson Guitars. Any reproduction or assimilation will be subjected to legal action! All guitar names are trademarks of Monson Guitars. All violations will be subject to legal action!
