The Man Who Builds Brad Paisley's Guitars
Brad Paisley and I are "friends" on Facebook. So when I got a notice that Paisley had posted a page for this custom guitar maker, I had to check it out. This company, Crook Custom Guitars, looks like the place for Paisley-like guitars. There's even a plug from Paisley on their site: "I believe Bill Crook builds the perfect guitar, one at a time, with a real respect for vintage craftsmanship. Also, he isn't afraid to go out there, take chances and create whatever your mind can dream up. If you want the best instrument you can possibly get, Bill is who you have build it." There's no price list on here, but my guess is that they're not cheap. Especially the ones made to Paisley's specs, like the 28 5/8-inch scale baritone guitar complete with a McVay stringbender. They claim it can sound like a grand piano or a large pedal steel guitar.
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MiaT says:
I just went to that website. WOW ! I did not even really know what I was looking at but I am sure I would look cool holding one!! LOL LOL,
Kevin says:
Brad certainly has some fabulous looking guitars….and the sounds he makes with them are even more fabulous.
Peter says:
huh I always figured they were standard Telecasters. Thanks for the link!
someone who knows says:
These are awesome sounding machines. Worth whatever Bill Crook’s charging for them.
someone else who knows says:
Yup I agree, those Crook Electric are awesome guitars!! It is too bad though that Brad plays such crappy acoustic guitars though. MARTIN GUITARS are the number 1 acoustic guitar you can get. Martins sound like pianos if you get a good one. But back to the electrics, if there is any guitar out there that can rival Fender for the Telecaster it is Crook guitars…
stephen williams says:
in anchorage,alaska in 1959,I was”8″years old,I was looking thru the refuse of a fire behind the only dept. store and found some paisley contact paper,it was pink,in 1967 I put it on a 1960,s musicmaster.sold it in 1968 in K.C.Mo.after coming back to K.C.in 1976 from rosdie job with Mark-Almond.”john mayals “bluesbreakers” I saw a anniversary model strat with the same paper at Big Dudes Music.shocked beyond words!In 1986 wrote” The Infamous Bill Carson”sent him a piece of paper.He “called” me back.all he said that my story was too odd not to be real.I called fullerton,ca to a hardware store that sold paper to Fender for a special order.from a place in Mo.for four telecasters with that finish!never got any farther in my quest.Bill told me to contact Lance Burton, who used that model alot,maybe he would know the answer to the origination of the paisley finish.Mark Blythe at the Scottsdale AZ,fender factory “Guitar Tech”helped me contact Bill Carson,Do you think you can help? Im a luthier now, but nowhere near your talent, I do restoration work mainly on “no hope” instruments as a hobbie and pastime,thank you,camdenROADIE,small world isnt it !!!!!
dannysligh says:
How bout we all just stop for a second to thank the good Lord that we all were blessed enough to live in an age where we can enjoy the Blessings offered to the world by the talent of Brad. This man plays world class guitar in any age.
RyanFloyd says:
I’ve been talking back and forth with Bill about building me a guitar (he builds each guitar to the individual’s specs, no matter how famous or not-so-famous you may be.) A standard paisley-finished Tele with the McVay G-Bender just like Brad uses is running around $3,600. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a TON of money, but really not too bad when you think about the amazing product you’re getting.
norma letch says:
Hi, I have been trying to contact Bill Crook for the last 3 weeks regarding having a guitar made but as yet have had no response to messages left both on his web site and phone. An e-mail I sent was returned. Can anyone please advise me as to how I can get in touch.
regards Norma.
Paul Huye says:
Paisley’s Tone is very nice,I just crazy about it,I was wondering he uses 69 Telecaster only,now,I’ve got the answer,very nice,LOL,LOL
Guitarmutt says:
Bill Crook makes wonderful guitars that rival fine Fender telecasters. I have a Crook and a few too many Fenders. Clearly, the “value” of a Crook is in the fine craftsmanship and as stated previously-they are built to your specific needs/desires. Bill’s guitars are not cheap but when considered in the grand scheme of things-they are a bargain. Vintage Fenders from the 50’s and 60’s can easily run into 5 digits these days-especially the sweet paisleys Brad plays. Part of that is clearly based on rarity-the ones from the 50’s and 60’s are already made and obviously, they aren’t making any more! Brad puts his guitars under a lot of physical strain so I’m sure he has a slew of axes to make sure no one gets beat up too much! The greatest thing about Bill Crook is his direct connection to you-he’ll ask about what you want in the guitar but also your style of music, type of amp you run through etc. I’m sure BP has done a lot to get Mr.Crook’s name out there and it is attention well deserved-he cooks up a mean guitar and in my opinion, at a bargain price-when compared to the alternatives. The only draw back is the wait-about 1 year. Hey, all good things come to those who wait. I wonder if BP doesn’t goesn’t get his a little sooner than that though?
Garcaminal says:
Brad plays incredible acoustic guitars! The MORON who claimed Brad was playing “crappy” guitars didn’t know his butt from a whole in the ground. McPherson guitars are stellar in tone and workmanship. As a player of 38 years, Martin’s are fine guitars IF you can find a good one. Nowadays…that’s a task.
Moodude says:
I am a HUGE Van Halen fan. In addition Cheap Trick. I would LOVE to see these guitar players, scratch that. MUSICIANS get to gether and just RIP. What do you all think of that? I come to you from the ROCK world looking for BRAD to cut loose! What about some crossovers to the rock world? Eddie is back, Rick and Robin never left…
J Wiz says:
Bill crook builds the best guitars i got the chance to meet him and i will never forget and i play a crook so go crook.
m house says:
wow!! didnt know about Bill Cook guitars until tonight.I allways thought Brad played fender’s or G&L guitar’s.I know the one brad started with is an old cbs tele(my dad has one just like it)the pink paisley,clear pick gaurd,maple neck.sure wish i could get mine to sound that good!!!!!!!
Steve Blythin says:
After nine and a half months I have just received my custom made Crook guitar. Sunset Orange with Black pick guard, vintage spec and Mcvey double bender. This is the coolest Tele on the planet!! Looks ans plays fabulous and sounds out of this world. Well worth the wait and every single Dime!!! Crook Guitars Rule.
Steve Blythin England UK
terry says:
To Garciminal. I just bought an HD28V which is about the sweetest Martin I’ve ever played. So Martin can still make good ones.
As for that other moron who thinks Brad plays crappy acoustics. What a joke. I love Martins but there are many great acoustic builders that turn out a fine product.
Brad’s a player and he isn’t going to play anything crappy.
Tiffany Criswell says:
hey i ur the biggest fan ever
Mike says:
I love Martins, but every guitar is different. I’ve got a sweet-to-play SaeJong, whatever that is…, that someone bought in Korea about 25 years ago. It came into my hands recently, and it’s great. Solid pine top, mystery back and sides, odd tuning machines that never seem to slip, nice neck, equal to some old D-18s I’ve played. Life is crazy.
HTL3 says:
Last time I saw BP live he wasn’t playing a Martin or a McPhearson acoustic. He plays a Santa Cruz. Great guitar. My roommate has three of them. I’m sure he has plenty of Martins and McPhearsons as well. I am a huge fan of McPhearsons, cant say the same about Martins. I’ve played too many that just seem dead to me.
buy tramadol online cod next day says:
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
LesWorley says:
I was reading Norma Letch’s comment that the builder would not return calls, emails, etc. A couple of guys here in eastern KY have a business called R and S guitarworks. You should really check them out, They have done work for tons of “important” people but still treat me (one of the unimportant people ) like royalty. Their work is very affordable, even on a teachers budget. I have some antigua stuff they’ve done and a ‘65 jazz bass they restored. No one has ever been able to tell its a refin! Their peple skills are second to none! No I dont work for them and no they arent ‘kin, but I cant say enough good things about them. Check them out
davison66 says:
I got a sonic blue tele with 3 pickups and a G-bender for around 4 grand…Also a tele esquire THAT BILL ONLY PAINTED. AN INSTALLED THE PUPS..JUST THE PAINT JOB ALONE IMPROVED THE SOUND I SWEAR.. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BOTH ARE AMAZING SOUNDING AN PLAYING GUITARS I HAVE EVER HAD