How do i get a high water guitar?

Every High Water Guitar is a one-of-a-kind creation, a blending of vision and functionality that sets our instruments apart. HWG is constantly innovating new and better design options, to bring our players a unique and superior musical experience. So, take a look around, think about your ideal guitar, and contact highwaterguitars@gmail.com , and find out what the current possibilities are - and what the future holds!

What are available builds?

Available builds are guitars that are finished and available for immediate sale. They are often fresh from the bench and ready to ship. Most available builds are listed on Reverb, through Miami Vintage Guitars, or posted on our Instagram and Facebook pages. Available builds are sold as-is completed.

How do pre-orders work?

Pre-orders are guitars that are in process. These are guitars from the luthiers own dreams and ideals, which are not currently claimed. These instruments are often the best inside track to builder’s select woods and newest improvements. While the preorder woods and shapes are locked in, in some cases a client may be able to customize a few select options on a preorder. Pre orders will often be posted in construction photos and videos on High water Guitars social media sites.

What about commissions?

Commissions are guitars that you have in mind - based upon the basic models of High Water Guitars. Commissions offer you the ability to collaborate in the creation of your own High Water Guitar. While it may take some time to obtain the final product, it allows you some say in the basic creation of the guitar. Commissions have some choice of woods, inlay, carve and specs. As a collaboration the luthier has the final say in things that he cant or wont do. But, if you got a wild idea it never hurts to ask it might just just peak some interest but it also might not be possible or in the cards.

So why would a Luthiers reserve instrument even be available ?

Luthiers reserve are guitars that were former demos or guitars played by the luthier. These are not used guitars these are loved guitars. These are guitars made just for the luthier to show a particular high point in construction, test a new construction idea, or as a prototype for a new model. They have often been shown as demos, used for videos, and some have even played a gig or two. They have been vetted over a period of time and certified to be awesome as they have been tweaked over time by the hands that made them. So why sell something so great? Cause new ideas happen all the time and I need to keep my demos up to speed with current builds. Also the luthier has the same G.A.S. as you and can’t keep everything.

What are the basic specs of a high water guitar?

Though each guitar is, in fact, it’s own unique piece of artwork, there are standards used to ensure quality and playability. All guitars are created with a scale length of 25 inches and 24 frets. There is a 14-inch radius on the frets. We use Jescar 4790 medium stainless-steel frets. HWG are both hand crafted and precision machined. The parts you feel are carved and finished by hand. The parts that matter are all CNC cut to the 1000th of inch. Most high water guitars have been Pleked to ensure the best possible action and intonation. All HWG electronics are hand build using military grade components and wire. Pickups are hand wound by Porter Pickups ID often to our exact specs. All HGW guitars have active electronics with buffers, blasters, and blenders designed and hand made by Hellminator guitars. All guitars have OBEL jacks and battery kill switches. Every effort is made to give every guitar a wide variety of tonal range and the most pickup options with the most ergonomic common sense switching. They are made to be both balanced on strap or be played in a chair. All guitars are neck-through constructed, with quality hardwoods both exotic and domestic. Every effort is made to limit the use of plastics and environmentally harmful products. All covers, pickup rings and parts are made from the finest tone woods. HWG have ergonomic asymmetrical carved necks that limits wrist strain and carpal tunnel issues. the neck shape as gives you the best combination of speed and comfortable while playing chords or shredding. Every effort is made to give all HWG full access to all 24 frets even on the single cutaways. HWGs understands the highest E is just as important as the lowest E. High water guitars are made to be played. These are not guitars for hanging in glass cases or vaults. They are intended to be personal musician instruments, whether shredding in the bedroom, gigged at a bar, or played out on the biggest stages HWGs want to make music regularly. These are guitars you can bond with, grow with, become one with. A way to shape your own tone and style. Often once a player gets the feel for one they can’t go back and an out dated factory instrument just wont do it any more. These are not guitars meant to mimic the tone of some famous guitar of the past. They are are not stuck in traditional and limiting ideas of historic tonal wise tales. They are guitars for the evolution of the instrument. These are guitars for progress and innovation.

What’s the deal with wood?

Mark is infatuated with hardwoods - some might even say he has a bit of a problem. Just like the High Water guitars they create, no two pieces of wood are exactly the same. HWG is constantly researching and acquiring new, rare and different species of wood. Most of HWG’s woods are reclaim, sustainability sourced, or locally harvested

How much do they cost?

There is no set price for a High Water Guitar. All of the guitars have a different price based on the materials used and time in process. While HWG wants these guitars to be affordable and accessible to all players this level of detail and innovation has a cost. The cost is determined on the parts, process, and labor. The guitars generally start at base unit around $4000 and the price goes up based on the difficulty of process and expensive of the parts. If you are inquiring about a specific build or type of guitar it never hurts to ask. As a rule hollow bodies generally cost more than solid bodies, 3 pickups costs more than 2 and so on. As for payment schedules if agreed upon in advance payments may be spaced. Although available builds and luthier’s reserve instruments must be fully paid in full before shipping. Pre-orders require a half down to be claimed and full payment at completion before shipping. Commissions require a $500 down payment and spec phone conversation or zoom call, to secure position in the up to 3 year wait list. Then half down at the beginning of the build and full payment before shipping.

I want to end saying these guitars are not build for the money, they are build for the love the instrument. Guitars of similar spec and construction often cost more, a lot more. HWG does its best to deliver and understand the price point. And yes of course there are a lot of guitars that cost less and play great but HWG are individual works of art and can’t be compared to the cogs of the factory process.