ETA - 3rd custom ordered guitar is here!

[mighty_duck]

I've lusted after an Agile PS-4000 for years, but have given up hope on ever finding one. Getting a "real" PRS is too expensive.
I flirted with the idea of ordering one from China, but it seems like it can go wrong in too many ways, and the final product quality is going to be iffy.

Then I heard that Inyen Vina is open to custom orders (I'm a member of their FB page). I have a bunch of their guitars (Harley Benton, IYV, Dillion, Wolf), so I know what I'll be getting - generally great playability, outstanding looking guitars, some minor finish issues.

Got in contact with them directly, was able to get them to produce it with my specs at a very reasonable price:

Shape: Harley Benton CST-24
Body: Mahogany body with maple arch top
and flame maple veneer top
Neck: maple set neck
Neck profile: 21mm at nut
Fingerboard: ebony
Fret: stainless steel fret
Inlay: Dot, MOP
Binding: white, on neck and headstock
Binding line on body
Colour: trans faded blue
Finish: glossy
Bridge: wrap-around bridge
Chrome hardware
24.75" scale
43 mm nut

[mighty_duck]

[mighty_duck]

Got contacted yesterday that it was ready, and should ship today:

[redman]

They build outstanding guitars I've owned several IYV guitars 2 wolf guitars and currently I own an Inyen Vina SG that's an outstanding guitar. They are a South Korean company whose factory is located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I've had a love hate relationship with SG's since the early 80's I buy one keep it awhile then sell it this one is no exception it's going on Reverb this week.

[ILuvTeles]

Sharp looking guitar, congrats!

Keep us updated on the shipping please.

[nomadh]

So ivy makes Harley? I didnt know that.
Winder what they would charge for my flying v custom idea?

[uwmcscott]

That's pretty cool that you were able to spec it out for a good price. I have personally had horrible luck going down that road myself ( anyone remember BWG guitars? ). Mojo for safe shipping and a quality product when it arrives.

[mighty_duck]

So ivy makes Harley? I didnt know that.

Some of their stuff. Anything that has made in Vietnam on it. The CST-24 (PRS "inspired") solid bodies are made there. The CST semi hollows are made in China in a different factory.

Winder what they would charge for my flying v custom idea?

The FB forum mod got one made for him:

[mighty_duck]

That's pretty cool that you were able to spec it out for a good price. I have personally had horrible luck going down that road myself ( anyone remember BWG guitars? ). Mojo for safe shipping and a quality product when it arrives.

Thanks for the mojo, I'll need it

[UrenragK]

Good luck with it - it looks GASTRONOMICAL!

[BrianSkeezer]

That looks great and has awesome specs! I have a CST-24 and I really like it, but yours is perfect.

[nomadh]

So ivy makes Harley? I didnt know that.

Some of their stuff. Anything that has made in Vietnam on it. The CST-24 (PRS "inspired") solid bodies are made there. The CST semi hollows are made in China in a different factory.

Winder what they would charge for my flying v custom idea?

The FB forum mod got one made for him:
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Wow! Any idea what that V cost?

[mighty_duck]

Wow! Any idea what that V cost?

That particular one might have been free as a gift to that mod to get business in...
For paying customers, I'm hearing between $160 and $260, plus $170 in shipping. The shipping is really high, but the overall price is pretty reasonable for a custom made guitar

[dearlpitts]

Wow thats awesome

[thepezident]

@mighty_duck
Ok...we got the price on the V....
Care to tell us the price on yours?


Seriously need more details...
How do you communicate with them?
Do you send a drawing, sketch, CAD?

How much back and forth is there?
Will they do any headstock?

etc...etc...etc....

And link to FB page?

please and thank you

[thepezident]

[tobijohn]

Hmm, I wonder if they'd be open to custom left-handed versions of models that they're already producing? There are MIV lefty Harley Benton guitars but I've never seen a lefty IYV branded model...

[mighty_duck]

@mighty_duck
Ok...we got the price on the V....
Care to tell us the price on yours?


Seriously need more details...
How do you communicate with them?
Do you send a drawing, sketch, CAD?

How much back and forth is there?
Will they do any headstock?

etc...etc...etc....

And link to FB page?

please and thank you

1. Price on mine was on the low end - $330 including shipping. I was an early adopter, so I can't guarantee you'll get the same price. I also asked for it to priced without any hardware (since I plan to replace a lot of it), and it was only $30 cheaper. I went with the full hardware.

2. Communication was through email. After a slow start, I would usually get pretty quick responses if sent during Vietnam working hours.
3. I sent them a link to the HB model which I knew they produced, and they came back with the CAD model. I think the V was based on a sketch.
4. I had hammered down the details beforehand, so there was very little back and forth regarding the specs. Getting the money to them took more effort. I eventually settled on using Western Union - paid only $11 in transfer fees. The other options were to wire USD or Vietnam Dong, which would have been costlier options. They refused to take Paypal or credit card. It seems they have been burned by a customer disputing the charges,
4a. You are taking a risk here. There is little recourse if there is a problem with the guitar. Heck, they could take the money and run, and there wouldn't be much you could do. That said, they are an established company, and the custom orders have been working. For me, the risk was worth the reward. YMMV.
5. From my understanding, they will do any headstock and can produce custom (unique) body/head shapes. There may be a premium for that.

6 FB group is here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/iyvusa
Forum admin that helped me iron out the specs and got me in contact with Inyen is Justin Hamel. He's apparently helped a few of us through it, and has another custom order in now, so would be more knowledgeable about things (the V is also his, new one is a neck thru strat).

If you prefer, I could make the introduction instead. PM me if that's what you want. After the introduction, I communicated directly with Inyen.

7. etc. etc. etc. Ask and you shall receive

[mighty_duck]

rondo.JPG

If you recall, there was a short period when Agiles were produced in S. Korea and Vietnam. IYV produced a few AL-3200's and other models.
I don't remember complaints about those builds, but the fact that it was so short lived suggests there were some QA issues.

[mighty_duck]

Hmm, I wonder if they'd be open to custom left-handed versions of models that they're already producing? There are MIV lefty Harley Benton guitars but I've never seen a lefty IYV branded model...

They seem very flexible, and lefty isn't that bizarre of a request. I'd be very surprised if they couldn't do a lefty.

[Chocol8]

Ooooooh, I could use a neck through hard tail Strat...and a Tele...and a...

[mighty_duck]

Ooooooh, I could use a neck through hard tail Strat...and a Tele...and a...

Yeah, it can get dizzying very quickly

[thepezident]

@mighty_duck
EXCELLENT INFO!!!

That seems like a KILLER price. Good for you!!

I might be in touch

[tobijohn]

rondo.JPG

If you recall, there was a short period when Agiles were produced in S. Korea and Vietnam. IYV produced a few AL-3200's and other models.
I don't remember complaints about those builds, but the fact that it was so short lived suggests there were some QA issues.

FWIW, I've got an AL-3100MCC that was MIV and the build quality and finish was as good as any other Agile that I have...

[mighty_duck]

Oh, and for those asking if they'll do weird $hit, I hope this answers your question (from the FB group custom shop album):

Some more conventional stuff: