Kendrick Townhouse

Super guitar. Tony Nobles has his act together. I bought my Kendrick used on a whim. I liked Tony's column in Vintage Guitar and wanted to see what his work was like up close. I wasn't dissappointed. Even though the guy who owned it before me cannibalized the PUs (replaced them with cheapo Jap brass) and had a monkey re-wire the guitar, I could still feel Tony's genius in the axe. His off-set neck centerline allows a solid feeling neck with easy access to the high strings. Tony says it takes some getting used to, but it took me all of ten minutes. Love it! The guitar is very Les Paul-like but very light in weight and thin with a contoured body for comfort. The wood work is beautiful and the resonance is superb. The guitar vibrates with evry note and is alive even unplugged. The finish (mine is the old red/yellow Gibson sunburst) is nitro and very thin, as it should be on this type of players guitar. My Kendrick is the one on stage with me now. I dropped in Gibson 57 Classic PUs and replaced the tailpiece with a Stetsbar vibrato(eric@stetsbar.com / www.stetsbar.com). The Stetsbar doesn't alter the guitar in any way and requires no drilling so you can put one on your 50's vintage LP without giving old man Gruen a heart attack. Super vibrato unit!

The sound is pristine. You can hear the wood and feel the notes. My music is played on AC, rock, and country stations.

Tony builds guitars like he is going to be keeeping them for himself. I love my Kendrick Townhouse.

The Kendrick is made to be played. The tuners are tulip klusons (they give you that sparkly-chimey ring)and the rest of the fittings are first rate. Tony will put whatever PUs you like in the guitar and do the neck to your preference.

I emailed Tony to get some info on my guitar and he was great about getting back to me. As a working pro I know how busy you can get. Thanks for all the help Tony!

I have been picking since the days when amps were steam powered and own about a hunderd guitars - mostly vintage (I like to play old wood.) The Kendrick plays and feels like a vintage axe. I bought mine used (and got a great deal), but getting one directly from Tony built to your own specs would certainly be worth evey penny.

Not sure of the year it was made, but the workmanship and materials are better than any Gibson I've ever seen. Quilted bookmatched cherryburst chevron top. Bone nut, great fret finish, inlays are state of Texas, exactly placed, no glue seepage.

Controls are the same as a Les Paul, with volume and tone capacitors.

I replaced the Fralins dwith Holmes.

Finish is very light, but fantastic, if you're a player, expect wear.

Bridge is your typical paul bridge. Guitar Player reviewed the guitar as being a 25" scale, bit I measured it at the typical paul 24 3/4" scale.

I ws looking for an authentic Peter Green, Bloomfield tone, did not find it. Granted the Holmes are a bit on the bassy side, but the Fralins were too bright. The guitar exhibited NO LIFE. Acoustically it sounded dull. ALWAYS CHECK OUT A GUITAR ACOUSTICALLY, even if you have to go into the managers office. I can't repeat this enough, if it doesn't have snap and or sustain unamplified pass on it. Play some licks with bends, pull offs and vibrato, do you hear those things acoustically or is it a dull thunk!

Fit and finish asre all excellent +

This category is for people who don't play their guitars.

Very limited. Gerald will answer the phone and talk all day, but Tony Nobles who builds them will never answer phone messages or emails. Even shut down his website. Forget about support.

I've been playing a long time and still get sucked into the guitar player reviews. Have they ever played something they didn't like (who advertises with them?). Let's admit most electric guitars are piece of wood with strings on them. Price point and a top my mother would have loved on her living room coffee table are totally irrelevant when it comes to tone. Play any guitar with an open mind, acoustically first, then clean through a small tube amp and work your way up to the Marshall. It's either happening or it's not. It should be comfortable to play, but don't make the feel of the neck or body your first priority. This had all the elements I was looking for, but ended up dissapointing me everytime I played it out (or in for that matter).

A Les Paul top on an SG body. That's an oversimplification, but it's close. Twin humbuckers, 2 volume, 2 tones, 3 way switch. A quilt maple top that you could drive a Testa Rossa through. Each side of the top, when you hold it in the right light, appears to be a negative image of its opposing self. Huge, wavey quilt, very unique. The offset neck feels strange for about 15 minutes, after that, all your other guitars start to feel "clunky". By the way, the supplied Ameritage alligator case is like, way classy.

When I first picked it up at the factory, the sound was WAY too bright for me. After years of playing Strats and various acoustics, I prefer a fairly high action. Which I DID NOT stipulate when ordering this guitar, shame on me. The guitar was originally set up with the strings almost beneath the frets, which is definitely NOT my style. I cranked the Tune-O-Matics wheels a bit, and, voila! This puppy just came to life. I have no idea what kind of pickups are in this guitar, and don't really care. When ordering, I asked for low output PAF style 'buckers. I know that Kendrick is fond of Fralins, and I am fond of Seymours. Don't know, don't care. These pickups match this guitar to a T.

Action was previously discussed, is simply perfect now. Discuss the frets before you buy, though. The standard frets are really tall, but very playable. The standard frets may take more getting used to than the offset neck. Although it was not what I preferred, the original setup was perfect. The strings were literally scraping the fretboard, but not a hint of rattle. I play pretty darn hard, and I could not get the low E to fart out. The finish is very thin, thank Leo, and when played unplugged in my bathroom, it rings like a bell. This is NOT a trailer queen, this is a rock and roll guitar. You buy this bad girl to play, not to display. If it gets a few boo-boos on it, oh well.

This is the most immovable object I have ever purchased. I have subjected this poor thing to .009's, .010's, and .011's, and the neck has yet to move, let alone moan and groan. Before I purchased this guitar, Tony Nobles worked on my '63 Firebird III. All I had requested was that he pot the microphonic pickups. He did that, and also replaced the fretboard side dots that had been lost from a previous refret many years before, and set it up to perfection. No charge, he just didn't like seeing an old guitar leave his business imperfect. I would trust any guitar I own with Tony Nobles, he is a maestro. And, he likes Blue Oyster Cult, which is a huge plus in my book. I cannot imagine anything happening to this guitar that Tony would not back up. Having said that, the nitro finish is quite soft, so if you are a player who must beat up his guitars, adios.

I've been a Kendrick customer for about eleven years. Bear with me while I get something off my chest concerning Harmony Central and Kendrick. My first purchase was a 2112-TC, and about a year and half later, the speaker blew out. I took the amp to Pfulgerville, and, after about 30 seconds, was told "We sold you a funky speaker. Hang on a minute, we'll put in a new one. With full warranty." No "Did you play it too loud?" or "Did you abuse it?'. With a smile from all involved, they admitted their error, and made it right. And, made a lifelong customer. Since then, I've purchased a Gusher, 2410, 118, and a Trainwreck Climax. Not to mention this guitar. Does this sound like a dissatified customer? Check out those negative Harmony Central reviews of Kendrick that read "anonymous", and then read the positive reviews that have email addresses! I consider Gerald Weber a personal friend, and I do not like it when someone bad mouths him without good reason. If they have good reason, well, Gerald is fully capable of taking care of himself. Kendrick will, and always has, take care of any problem in good faith, and always will. Besides, last time I was up there, they gave me detailed directions to Austins premier topless bar. If that isn't service above and beyond the call of duty, I just don't know what is.

Over the years, I've dealt with a lot of guitar/music companies. Just bought a Fender Mustang in Antigua finish from Rumble Seat Music. Described as near mint, it had 3% of the finish worn off, the maple neck looked as if it had had several battles with a cymbal, and the entire guitar had been oversprayed, which included what appeared to be a pubic hair about an inch below the bridge, under the overspray. Much like the word "love", the term "near mint" has really taken a beating in the last ten years. But I digress. Deal with Kendrick for amps, and Mandolin Brothers for guitars, and you will not be ripped off. Matter of fact, you will get service that you did not think existed any more. I dealt with an offbrand business, and paid the price. Shame on me.

This is a VERY high end Les Paul copy Hand made in the State of Texas USA. I wanted a Les Paul type of Guitar but was very disasified with what Gibson is putting out for the money. This Guitar has all the features you would want expect from any good Les Paul and then adds a few changes that make it superior to any Gibson made today.....and alot made long ago.
The Body and neck is Top grade mahogany with an incredible Flame maple Top.The body has a strat like belly cut in the back for increased playing comfort.The neck is a very unique offset V shape that is fat on the bass string side and very fast on the high string side.This is my favorite feature about the guitar. It fits my hand better then any guitar I have ever played. It has 22 Tall and narrow nickel frets, on a brazilain Rosewood fretboard with little state of texas inlays.It is a standard 24 1/2 scale. I choose the Lindy Fralin nickel cover humbuckers. It has the standard LP 2 tone/2 Volume electronics.I choose a Iced tea burst that was applied beautifully.The Finish is very thin and looks inredible.

Before I bought this guitar I checked PRS, Gibson Historic, and Tom Anderson and some came close to getting that Fat beautiful Vintage Les Paul tone , but none of them nailed it like The Townhouse.This guitar is so beautiful it's hard to put it into words. The bridge pick up is bright and fat, you can get any Old ZZ Top sounds here easy. The neck dosen't require any amp changes when you switch to it. It NEVER gets muddy(my major reason for not buying the Gibson)and when you turn the tone down you are in Allman brothers heaven. Switch it to the middle and it's woman Tone city! I would like to play a guitar that can possibly sound better. It dosen't exist.

The guitar played perfectly out of the box. The Maple Top is too beautiful to describe. The first time I opened the case I actually gasped when I first laid eyes on it. The bone nut is cut from 50 yr old bone that Mr. Webber purchased and had put away. It was perfectly cut and the guitar's intonation was dead on.

Although I am sure this guitar can take a ton of abuse, I try not to play out with her, and leave her for recording and jamming. But this guitar NEVER goes out of tune and would need no back up for her.The finish is on the this side but the sonic rewards from this far outwiegh the cosmetic ones.

Gerald Webber the owner/President of Kendrick was a Goddamn Pleasure to deal with. When I ordered the guitar he took me through the entire option list and explained everything fully. The only downside to buying this instrument is that it is completely handbuilt by 1 person!The neck is hand carved, as is the body, so it took about 10 months to get the guitar. But it was worth every minute!During that long waiting period I spoke to Gerald about every other month and he never seemed bothered by my calls and talked to me for hours about Jimmy Vaughan and Billy Gibbons, and always got right back to me when he was out. The guitar is Warranted for life and I don't belive I would ever have a problem if I needed it fixed.

I have been playing almost 17 yrs and this guitar is the best I've ever played. I did my homework before buying and spending $2500 is a once in a lifetime purchase for me. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I don't play out with it because I would kill someone if they poured a beer on it or tried to steal it , but if the unthinkable happened I wouldn't` think twice about putting another $2500 on the old Visa card. My favorite feature is the off set V neck, it's an incredible feature and I don't know why other high end company's and lower ones for that matter don't have an offset Vneck. Even Warmoth should consider putting one in thier line up.
I also have a Kendrick Black Gold 50 amp that when paired with this guitar is just fantasic Tone for days. Jimmy Vaughan said if there is a better amp out there he liked to hear it. Well he should hear it with this guitar!!I compared it to a PRS Santana,Mcarty, a Historic Gibson LP, and a Tom Anderson Cobra and found the Town House a bargain for $2500.

Texas made sorta Les Paul looking thing with incredible chevron bookmatched flame maple top on mahogany body. Rosewood fingerboard with a contour neck that you have to play to believe. Three way toggle with overwound Fralin HB's, Stud tailpc. Very light (unlike a Paul) sort of the same weight of an SG. The beauty of the guitar rivals the best PRS's. Think of it a playable art form.

My style is early R&B and straight ahead blues. I do explore some industrial stuff when the mood hits. I use a variety of amps: Blues Jr. Thru a 2x10 Buddah Cab, A Victoria 512, Kendrick 118 ( I like tiny tube amps) a Mesa DC-5 and a recently aquired Speedster Deluxe. To me 1 of the 10 best amps ever built). I use a Boss DD/reverb unit on the small amps to open them up (try 2 - 5 watt tweed repro's in stereo, alot of fun !) The sound of the Townhouse is anything you want it to be, except for quacky, single coil sound. All I know is that the bite and growl of this thing is pure lust. Back off the pots and it sweetens up like a fat strat, put it thru a Marshall and your in the 60's -70's era, name the player, it covers all tones. My only dislike is that everyone wants to try it.

I bought this barely used. The pups needed a little adjustment, other than that the toggle switch retiner came loose as did the jackplate. Other than that. . .perfect, however those 2 things do matter to me on a 2500.00 guitar, hence the rating

Everything seems to be very reliable and almost overbuilt IMO. I am relectant to take it out though, because of theft (it's happened to me before). It's built like all Kendrick stuff, tough as Bulls' Balls!

I had some basic work done by a local guy, not much to tweeking this guitar. Spoke with Gerald Weber, Jim Finney and Jim Easep at Kendrick, very helpful great bunch of guys!!

I have been playing now for 2 years after a 20 year lay off where I was semi-pro. I have had my share of guitars, this IS the finest solid body HB guitar I have ever played, never mind owned. I have a Rick Turner 1-C (verrrrry cool), Gibson 335, Gibson 135 Limited Edition (another great ax)and a few G&L's (best guitar for the money)
If it were stolen, I would hire OJ Simpson to find the thief. I am actually looking to find another 1 now. I waited to own this for a while before i reviewed it. I think everything about it is waht a guitar should be. The tone is fantastic thru any amp that I have played it thru. the neck is a miracle and looking at it is a feast for the eyes

1999 Townhouse, Kendrick's LP variation, 2 Lindy Fralin HBs, quilt burst, standard LP configuration bridge/selector switch/volume and tone controls. For more details on the finish, etc, check out Kendrick's website www.kendrick-amplifiers.com. The neck is a most unusual one, I've never felt anything like it, it is extraordinarily comfortable, much more natural feeling than a LP, it has a "V" shape at the nut which tapers gradually towards the neck. The upper registers are much easier to access than a LP, you don't have to crane your wrist to get to #22. And lastly the body is thinner than a LP, with a belly cut, again extraordinarily comfortable.

I like classic rock, GNR, and wanted that LP sound. I've had 2 LPs over the past few years, a classic goldtop and a classic premium plus sunburst. This guitar outtones them by a mile. It is sweet, singing, a much tonier sound than the LPs. Played unamplified, it sounds better than a lot of acoustics. It is not too bright, but still has a nice high end and you can get harmonics with ease. The neck is a full fat woman tone, very rich. And the bottom is thunky without getting muddy. This is playing it through a marshall and a mesa boogie. I should note that they will put any type of pickup you want in it, I went with the LF HBs per Gerald's suggestion and it was the right move. They were aiming for the ZZ Top "Pearly Gates", and they must have got it cause it is one wonderful tone.

The action was set to their specs and recommendations, and it plays incredibly easy. I usually like a very low action but I could not tell the difference on this guitar. The neck profile and the fret job just make it a dream to play. My top was, to my eye, a perfectly bookmatched sunburst quilt maple. I noticed no flaws, except it looked to have been played a tad (a few barely noticeable marks on the pickguard), otherwise the finish was immaculate.

I've no opinion on reliability, although looking at it I doubt it would develop any trouble. And if it did I believe they would take care of it.

This is my 3rd Kendrick product to buy, and it was a pleasure dealing with them. I placed my order directly with Gerald, and he took nearly an hour discussing the options, everything from strings to finish to the serial number I wanted. Incredible. Try doing that with Gibson (or any guitar maker). One negative issue was it took nearly 6 months to make this guitar, and I was promised a 7 week wait initially. This isn't a big deal to me, except that they didn't contact me to let me know they hadn't forgotten about me, etc. I had to make all the phone calls. It sure would have been nice at around the 2 month point they just called or emailed to say what the status was.

I've been playing a LONG LONG time, I've had every guitar there is. I would highly recommend this guitar over a LP, it is simply a superior guitar. It isn't a metal or thrash guitar, nor is it a Fender; it's a Les Paul, just the best LP type guitar you can get. It IS a long wait for a guitar, but most decent guitars nowadays are a long wait. Just stay in contact with them :)