Our flagship line of Acoustic instruments is one of the most varied in the industry, with more options of tuning, size, and scale than any other company our size. However, sometimes we get a special request that goes a step further, or a unique combination of features that pushes a standard model to the next level of true Custom Shop status.
Our Custom Acoustics are handbuilt, with flexible techniques that allow us to control every aspect of tone, feel, and appearance. With a special emphasis on functional details, our Custom Shop Acoustics have a perfect mix of modern style, dependable performance, and a handmade touch.
Click to see a sample of our Custom Acoustic Guitars
Keller Williams' "Grypholin" #807
One of the more customized instruments we've ever made, this unique piece was commissioned by multi-instrumental monster Keller Williams. After playing our Gryphon acoustic for a few years, Keller approached us looking for something that came even closer to the look and feel of a traditional mandolin, but with the scale and tuning of the Gryphon. This instrument is tuned DGCF, just like the low 4 courses of our classic Gryphon. The shallower teardrop body and oval soundhole, combined with the pin bridge, give this a uniquely "hybrid" sound that perfectly suits Keller's progressive bluegrass and jam band music.
Tim Pierce's Merlin Ukulele 6-string #860
This incredibly cute little custom nylon-string was built for our good friend, major-leauge session guitarist Tim Pierce. Tim wanted, in his words, a .ukulele killer. for the studio, that would record beautifully and give him the range of the whole ukulele family, from Baritone to Soprano, all in one adorable little package.
Based on our Merlin body size, this little charmer has a 16.3" scale and is tuned A-A, a fourth higher than a standard guitar tuning. The onboard pickup/preamp and Volume/Tone controls are the same ones that we use in our full-size guitars. This little beast just sounds happy, no matter how you play it! It's a very specialized tool for a true pro who knows what he needs — one of our favorite ways to build.
Bruce Lukoskie's Doubleneck Acoustic #731
We're no strangers to "odd" instruments, and special custom instruments have been one of our niches for quite a while. Even with that background, building and designing this instrument was both a challenge and a delight — the perfect combination.
The longer neck is a standard-tuned 6-string with a 25.5" scale, intended for DADGAD and other D-based modal tunings. The shorter 12-string neck is our classic "Gryphon" 18.5" scale, with unison-tuned double courses, tuned up to D. The central soundhole spans under both sets of strings, unifying them visually and sonically.
Both necks have piezo sensors under the saddles, which flow together into a Wavelength pickup/preamp. A side "soundport" gives the player a little extra direct response, which is especially useful with an instrument like this. We all had to really pay attention when playing this guitar — it has a lot to say.
Designed from the ground up, inside and out, this instrument truly embodies the custom-shop flexibility and adventurous spirit we try to maintain here at Veillette Guitars. Challenges like this invariably lead us in new and stimulating directions, and the results are always worth the effort.
When Bruce Lukoskie came up to the shop to pick up his new guitar, he was kind enough to record this little video while he was getting to know it — the huge range of textures, tones, and possibilities make this piece incredibly intruguing.
Russell Bloom's Terz 12 #711
This is a fine example of a custom piece that has steered our line of production guitars in a new direction. Ordered by Russel Bloom, this is the first "Terz" we made, to suit his need for an "A"-tuned unison 12-string.
Custom features on this guitar include two beveled edges, for the arm and "belly", which flow beautifully into the black binding. The Pommele Sapele back and sides are luminous and 3D, and sound just as good as they look! Finally, a built-in TriColor tuner keeps all twelve strings singing sweetly.
This was the original "Terzilla", and the result was undeniably cool. A few slight tweaks later, our Terz 12-string is one of our best-selling acoustic models.
Andrew Yood's Grand Bari 6 #655
This gorgeous Baritone 6-string has a gorgeous and sleek modern twist, with offset red dot markers on a jet-black ebony fingerboard. The red finish and black binding unite beautifully for a very rich and upscale look.
Ron Ciminelli's Grand 16" Std. 12 #494
In a slightly rare combination, this Standard-tuned 12 neck is mated to a Grand 16" body. The result is a loud, round, and powerful guitar with huge range.
At the customer's request, this guitar has a top-shelf AAA flame maple back and sides, and a side soundport.
Andrew Gray's Lefty Bari 12 #801
Every now and then, a client will ask us to "pull out all the stops" and build in every possible custom option. This incredible Baritone 12-string is a perfect example of this.
To start, it is a left-handed guitar.we make one every couple of years, and we.re always proud to say that there is NO extra charge for lefties — it's only fair!
Even beyond that, the custom features abound: a traditional slotted-style headpiece, stunning flame maple back and sides, bearclaw Sitka Spruce top, and arm bevel. A side soundport is the icing on the cake.
Any one of these features would have made this guitar a custom — but all together, they really add up to a very special instrument. Our customer was thrilled.
The High Studio: Grand 6 Bubinga #859
Custom ordered by The High Studio, this Grand 16" standard 6-string has a gorgeous bubinga back and sides. With a density and tap tone similar to some rosewoods, the bubinga delivered a gorgeous, balanced tone a beautiful high-end sparkle and a firm, well-controlled bass.
The optional arm bevel makes the guitar comfy and inviting, even with the full 16" body width. Check out The High Studio online!
Erich Zeichner's Koa Bari 12 #481
We built this gorgeous Baritone 12 for another one of our longtime repeat clients, Erich Zeichner. Erich has always ordered instruments with extra features for a special vibe, and this is no exception.
The AAA figured koa back and sides are about as good as koa can get. The golden amber tint on the Sitka Spruce top unites the whole guitar into a mellow and warm visual whole.
Ivoroid binding gives this piece a classic touch, with a touch of "vintage" to complement the modern style. A side soundport gives the player some extra volume for solo playing.
Rod Cone's B12 Smoke Maple #734
Built for one of our very best clients, this Baritone 12-string has a sleek and subtle beauty that really draws you in. The back and sides are perfectly flamed European Maple, with a consistency of grain and texture that is very hard to find. Almost iridescent under the transparent "smoke" finish, the back and sides have a luminous and complex texture that we could stare at for hours!
Ezio Guaitamacchi's "Tuxedo" Bari 12 #841
An Italian customer approached us for a Baritone 12, with a very specific vibe — he wanted a "Johnny Cash" look... gloss black, with ivoroid binding and ebony fingerboard/bridge. Just like its inspiration, this guitar had a very compelling mix of class and attitude — and a deep, heavy-hitting sound that just can't be ignored.
Sleek Elite: Grand 16" 7-string #840
Built for our distributor in Japan, this is one of our favorite Custom Acoustics — a 16" Grand 7-string! With a 26.1" scale, this guitar had a beautifully balanced range, with a tight and authoritative low B, and sweet, chimey trebles. Our experience with Baritone instruments, combined with our willingness to explore new territories, made for a truly inspiring extended range instrument, that was surprisingly easy to play.
Bill Ruppert's Gryphonette #657
Here's another example of a guitar that inspired a future model. This was the first custom Gryphon ordered with an extra-short neck for true "octave-up" tuning, E-to-E. With 11 frets clear of the non-cutaway body, this is certainly a compact little guitar — but it had such a charming personality, we all immediately fell in love. The Cuban Mahogany back and sides were an extra treat.
This guitar was so much fun, we decided it had to be a full-time model. We redesigned the body to match the short scale, and it became our Merlin E-tuned high 12-string.
Terra Guitars' Gryphon 12 #556
As much as we like beautiful figured woods and natural finishes, we also have a real soft spot for the purity and cleanliness of a solid-color guitar. Here's a gorgeous example: this gloss-black Gryphon with ebony fingerboard and bridge exudes the class of a grand piano, beautifully framed with ivoroid binding to define the shape and give a touch of contrast.
This Gryphon's fingerboard also features a stunning inlay, commissioned by the client and beautifully executed by legendary inlay artist Larry Robinson. An abstract leaf/vine/flower motif climbs up the bound neck, and the blue flowers subtly mark the 3rd, 7th, and 12th positions. Inlay on a Veillette is a rare feature indeed — but for us, "custom" means that anything is possible!
