All instruments and vacuum tube amplifiers are handmade, one-off customs constructed one at a time in my small workshop.  Each design is crafted from the finest materials available and echoes classic themes and features found in some of the world's most sought-after vintage instruments while providing the playability and reliability of a modern guitar.  If you are interested in more information on how you can own a Kohler Kustom instrument built to your specifications, contact me, Andy Kohler, directly at thunderbirdesq@yahoo.com.

Detonation LPJr.
Entirely handmade Jr-ish solid body for the automotive enthusiast!
Perfectly joined, bookmatched, air-dried Honduran Mahogany two-piece body and neck, handcarved soft V neck, figured maple fretboard and headcap, hand cut busted piston, wrench, and spark plug inlay scheme, cool two-piece pickguard, wraparound bridge. Tortoise bound neck and headstock with pearl side-dot markers, Kluson deluxe machines, medium frets, compound fretboard radius, bone nut, dual action truss rod, covered in 12 coats of hand-rubbed nitrocellulose lacquer for a DEEP vintage look and feel. HOT single Duncan P-90 is downright ROWDY, you can literally strangle unheard-of notes out of this thing with a little overdrive. Single volume knob, what else do you need? You can't even touch a Gibson Jr Reissue for this price. Plays like nothing else, super-low action, no buzz, mondo-sustain. All the warm, milky tone of a nice LPJr with the added clarity and spank of a maple board. Come on, baby climb on, this is one unadulterated Rock-n-Roll machine! Comes with hard case and signed documentation. $1650

(kick-ass Silvertone Twin Twelve NOT included!)



Past custom builds




Nick's 2x12 Bassmanesque





restoration

I also offer comprehensive restoration and repair service at reasonable rates.  As a graduate of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery with over 15 years of stringed instrument repair experience, no job is too big or too small.

1969 Fender Telecaster

I recently finished this Tele for my friend Bob, resurfaced fretboard, refret, body refinished in the original cream nitrocellulose lacquer.


1962 Guild Polara

I got this guitar from a good friend of mine in the form of a stripped body with the frets and headcap removed.  I started by making a new birdseye maple headcap and handcutting a new guild logo and custom piston inlay.  I also inlaid a chopped '34 Ford coupe at the end of the fretboard to cover some damage and installed new jumbo frets.  I then shot it in black nitro, added some later 60's guild pickups, and a custom wrench tailpiece.  I also made a jaguar-inspired two-piece pickguard with red tortoise and mirror plexi.


1949 Martin "basketcase" OO-17

This little guitar had seen better days when it arrived. The repair list included a neck reset, bridge and bridgeplate reglue with a new bone saddle fit and installed, several patches, over 46" of cracks in the top, sides, and back glued and cleated, realignment and repair of a split tailblock, pickguard replacement, four loose braces refastened to the top, 3 frets replaced and all others removed, reseated, leveled, crowned and polished, and the top and back had to be  reattached to the sides in several spots.  I'm happy to report it sounds and plays like an absolute dream.
















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