How to choose your custom OD guitar when you haven’t played one before.

By Omer Deutsch

Ordering a custom guitar can feel like a big leap, especially when you have never held one in your hands. You are choosing an instrument that will be built for you, rather than picking a finished guitar off a shop wall. So where do you start?

For me, the process begins with research, honest conversations and a clear understanding of what you want from your instrument. You do not need to arrive with every specification already decided.

Start by getting to know the guitars

If you have an opportunity to try an OD guitar, take it. Ask me whether there is an instrument you might be able to play near you. Availability changes, so it is better to ask than assume.

If trying one is not possible, watch playing videos, explore finished builds and speak with people who own them. Ask about comfort, communication during the build and what living with the guitar has been like. One enthusiastic review is useful, but several detailed experiences can tell you more.

The OD Artists page is one place to discover players and hear the guitars in a musical context.

Talk about your playing before choosing specifications

Explore the models and options, then tell me what you like about your current guitar and what you would change. Your tuning, string count, playing style and the music you make are more useful starting points than a list of fashionable specifications.

If you think you need a particular feature, ask why it might or might not suit the build. I have my own experience and opinions, and part of my job is to explain those choices. A useful conversation should leave you understanding the reasons behind a recommendation.

That does not mean giving up your own preferences. It means combining what you know about your playing with what I know about building the instrument.

The personal connection matters

A custom build involves more than a single purchase conversation. We will be discussing details, making decisions and following the instrument as it develops. You should feel comfortable asking questions and saying when something is unclear.

Before committing, make sure you understand the agreed specifications, price, payment arrangements and current estimated lead time. Build schedules vary, so confirm the timing for your own order rather than relying on an older newsletter or another player’s experience.

Trust goes both ways

Once you choose a builder, give them enough information to understand you. Tell me about the necks you enjoy, the sounds you aim for and anything that gets in the way of your playing. The more useful detail you share, the better the conversation becomes.

Trust should come from clear answers and a process you understand. It is something we build together, rather than something you need to bring blindly to the first message.

Then comes the fun part

Designing your guitar is where all that preparation becomes something personal. The shape, woods, finish and details can come together around the way you play and the look that inspires you.

When you are ready, start customising your OD guitar. Use it as the beginning of a conversation, and we can work through the choices together.

Originally published as a newsletter. If you’d like fresh information and updates from me, make sure to subscribe using the newsletter form below.