GuitarFetish started in 2004 by Jay Abend with the intention to make his custom gear available to guitar players around the world. "I was happy hand winding hum buckers for $160 each, but there's proven to be good business for $30 pickups with the same construction practices and tone" he comments before talking about how working exclusively online allows him to develop relationships with customers, responding to e-mails and chatting on his forums with players. GFS products aren't available anywhere but the official website, and their inventory has expanded to include everything you need to build, modify, and play guitars. For those not wanting to get their hands dirty, the custom guitar and pedal lines can't be beat, including a popular $40 digital footpedal tuner. Unmatched quality and affordability have earned GFS a broad following, known as the website for savvy guitar players who need the best without breaking the bank.
Xaviere Guitars
Bang for your buck
$159+
These guitars could easily sell for three or four times the price you'll buy one new. Seriously. A friend of mine discovered GuitarFetish online while searching for guitar parts and bought a XV-JT on a whim thinking he'd get a cheap guitar he could scavenge for parts. Imagine our surprise when the guitar that arrived looked, felt, and sounded so good my friend decided that he'd leave the guitar intact and play it relentlessly while his many, more expensive guitars have begun to gatherdust. These guitars have become a focus at GFS and in the playing community, with new designs appearing regularly and always more affordable than comparable guitars. Xaviere's clone many popular body shapes and are made from dry tonewoods with a focus on playability and, of course, the famous GFS pickups. By designing and selling the guitar GFS cuts out the middleman, which is great for all of us.GuitarFetish.com
