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Yeah, I was gonna chime in... there used to be a lot of mom and pop shops around here, but COVID mucked things up... most of the shops are typical bread-and-butter guitars, but occasionally they'll bring in something nice "but timing is everything"... There's Zimm's guitars https://maps.app.goo.gl/BaQsT5E7uHcZuZUz6?g_st=ac The Music store https://themusicstorestudios.com/ I can't vouch for these places anymore since I haven't been to these places in a while as I'm poor 😪 Honestly, the best thing to do is google map and call ahead... BTW, You can always visit the Music Instrument Museum, while you're out here... Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, AZ https://share.google/RCiH0JJAOWFUF2fxl Be warned, Arizona is pretty large and sprawled out and you'll be driving a lot Good luck on your trip 😀👌

Bambino spoke for me as well. I mean, yikes!

Thanks guys - got some followup to do here, for sure. Appreciate your suggestions.

Scottsdale is not too far away. You might look up Artistic Guitars. I have made three purchases there, but not any time recent. There was one I seriously coveted 2-3 years ago, but at $14k or so ("discounted") there was no way. The 3 I did get were all spectacular, but way less than half that. IMO. they were very fairly priced. But markets have changed. Gary is a private operation. He generally has a very small collection of very high end, usually custom ordered guitars. Not the one to look at for a casual browse or drop in. If anything on the site appeals to you, best to contact him for an appointment. I am not sure how many things in "Gary's Collection" imply current ownership, let alone whether they are for sale. But fun to look at.

I’m surprised @Dave Scepter hasn’t chimed in. There used to be a high-end shop (ESP, Jackson/Charvel CS, etc) in Phoenix and a pretty decent mom/pop in Chandler. This was 25yrs ago so take my advice with a jaundiced eye.

Wow!!!! stunning isn’t the correct adjective to describe this!!!

I'm not sure 'pretty special' quite covers it. Stunning.

JeffRo took mine. For such a large city we don't have much that I can recommend. Acoustic Vibes is a decent visit though. Most of the cool smaller shops in Phoenix have either closed or shifted way downrange in what they stock. McKnight used to have a decent shop, but one day I heard him talk to an employee in a way no human should treat another, and I lost all respect for the guy. They closed the store anyway and he seems to be focused on sharing his expertise online. Ziggy's was historically cool and would have been worth a visit, but they finally closed their doors in 2024. Bizarre Guitar & Drums has been around since the Stone Age and manages to keep the lights on. Rainbow Guitar in Tucson is still kicking as far as I know (edit: appointment only now, according to their website).

This one is pretty special. 2004 Artist Custom with upgrades: ebony board, bound and pearl inlaid headstock and Victory inlays. Near mint condition. No Hameritis or really any visible wear at all. I haven't seen another in this finish, which looks teal blue to blue/green depending on the lighting. Intense quilt maple top. Photos are in no way enhanced. - just taken with my iPhone, good lighting and no filters or retouching. Weight is 7 lbs. 13 oz. $2,750 plus $100 shipping U.S. only. Add 3% for PP (or $0 for F&F or Zelle). Happy to meet and waive shipping in the westen Chicago suburbs/Rockford/Madison WI area.

It's all part of the journey if you ask me. Sometimes we just have to experiment to see what works and what doesn't hardware-wise for ourselves. Next thing you know, you've passed that stage and end up with a hardware drawer full of stuff you may/may not use down the road (you can always sell/trade or share it with others down the way and build some good karma). Once we get past all the choices and nuances of our setup and gear, the real player development takes place IMHO. Playing the crap outta your favourite guitar, and playing a lot of different ones challenges your skills and abilities and makes you more adaptive. Playing while watching content/TV helps develop subconscious learning and familiarity with the entire fretboard to help aide your muscle memory. Jamming with other musicians, especially those beyond our skill/experience level, helps to develop our "ear" and to how to listen/play interactively with others, maybe even pick up a few technical bits or expand our musical horizons. Playing scales, learning theory and practicing our finger work is all fine and dandy, but giving ourself challenges can really pay dividends. Making a song from a single note using every kind of nuance/technique in our arsenal is a worthwhile exercise. Exploring alternate tunings, slide work, fingerstyle, capo and partial capo'ed strings. Explore how to manipulate feedback! (YES!!). Playing guitar like another instrument really helped me - think percussion instrument, piano, sax or horn, mandolin, bagpipes (ha ha) or whatever - world is your oyster! Each of us has our own musical journey to take and explore. I'm enjoying mine and I hope you enjoy yours. Guitars rock -literally and figuratively!!

Thanks for the input guys! Anyone else got something to add?

Check out Acoustic Vibes music in Phoenix (Tempe). https://acousticvibesmusic.com/

My mother was mortified.

Price Drop $400 Shipped.

Might have to contact Winnie Thomas from Winfield Amplification while I'm in AZ (he's in Cochise, closer to the NM border), maybe grab a coffee with him if he's got time. He's a great guy and always so helpful. Love the little Cyclone amp that came direct from his shop - built like a little jewel.

And you can call him 'Dad'.

I have no idea why my photos are uploading upside down. 🙃

I'd like to avoid the fees and scam risk associated with Reverb, so I'm asking $750 plus $15 shipping. Add 3% for PayPal (or $0 for F&F or Venmo) US shipping only (sorry to those who live outside of "evey day a different tariff" land) The pickups are in excellent plus to near new condition with no rust or tarnish and very slight scratches on the covers. 12" two conductor wire on the neck pickup, 8" on the bridge. Standard Alnico 3 and 5 set. Mouning rings and hardware included. The original label for the neck pickup is included. I don't have the label for the bridge pickup.

Sometimes I get manic about these things. I have several bridges and tail pieces in a box I got for some reason, probably mostly for aesthetics. I have various Tone Pros, Gotah, (same company at one time not sure when I got these) and one unmarked, light weight aluminum tail piece. The Gotah and Tone Pro tail piece weigh between 76 and 81g. The aluminum one is on a guitar right now but I weighed it before putting it on the guitar and it was about a quarter what these weigh. I just can't remember exactly what it was right now. So I thought next time I change strings I'll change things out and see if I hear anything. I sure can't hear anything different between them in this video. But, I don't have a decent pair of headphones. I'm listening through Adam Audio studio monitors though which are great. And it may be YouTube compression. It may be that it doesn't matter as much as putting on a new set of strings. Don't know. What do you guys know?