The Chetboard

In researching Baldwins I've learned of luthier Mel Mccullough. His website is inactive. Does anyone know if he is still buiding guitars?

Thanks

His website is inactive because he told me that he wanted to stop building guitars until he could get more CNC stuff done and get his quality up to par. I would not recommend him to build you a guitar. Even though his prices are great for handbuilt guitars - the quality is not there. I had a very frustrating experience with this guy and I gave him several chances to redeem himself. He is still supposed to make me a new guitar after his previous guitar was not built right. That was a long time ago. I wouldn't want you to have to go through what I have gone through. Sorry to say but don't waste your time and money. If your looking for a "Clawmaster" guitar, get yourself a Harmony H173 or H174 and have Kirk Sand put Sam Kennedy's pickup on there. It's awesome. I was going to have him build me a "Clawmaster", but after the problems with the first guitar - I said no way, not again. I will be selling my McCullough guitar after I fix all the problems with it (fret level, new nut, setup etc). The guitar I had him build was supposed to be a replica of a Gibson CE - very solid guitar. He knew this is what I wanted. Instead he routed a lot out - therefore it is a really light guitar. Might be good for someone - it's got Sam's pickup on it, so it does sound good. So if anyone is interested in getting a guitar for cheap with Sam's pickup - let me know. Anyways - Mel is a nice fellow, but wouldn't recommend him for a guitar build. Thanks
Alex

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up.

I'm just antsy I want a clawmaster style guitar right now.
I don't have any nylon stringed guitar and the bug is just killing me. I guess patience is the key and I'll just check ebay and craigslist like a hawk.

You might check into a Yamaha flamenco style. Check out the video below. Of course you would have to get the guitar - which would be more expensive than the Harmony (but easier to come by). Then you would have to send it out to a good luthier who knows what they are doing. Also you might check with Phil Hunt and see if he has any bridges for the prismatone pickup left. Then you will have to contact Sam Kennedy and get the pickup from him. It will take a while for him - he is a very busy guy. I know how you feel - when I get the bug - it's all I think about. Good luck and take care.
Alex

Alex,

The video didn't show up in your post. I'm VERY interested. Please post it.
I hadn't really thought about going the flamenco route. Hmmm. You may have confused things.

Woops

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh_LPCH9hB4

Thank you sir! So that's a cheaper Yamaha guitar? Sounds great. Intonation and staying in tune.

I've read plenty of mixed reviews about Mel on here. Personally, I've never had a bad experience with him, or his instruments. I own a Clawmaster and I love it. If you can find a used one for sale maybe you can go that route instead of having him build you one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA8BBToL9HA Here is a video of my Clawmaster.

Lord, let's not start another thread bashing poor ol' Mel again..........come on guys........

I had Mel build Me a Classical guitar a few years ago and have been very pleased with it, Granted it has some minor issues in the detail work, but it's very playable, sounds every bit as good as My two Gibson Studio models. A 2005 Montana Studio CE and the 1993 2" Studio CEC. I wanted something built just for Me and I feel Mel did a good job for Me. And this is it.