Monson Guitars

Welcome to Monson Guitars. Here you will find some of the most unique guitars around. Inspired by The Misfits, specifically Doyle's Annihilator, and the custom guitars they built, I began building guitars in January 2001. I was looking to make something different. Having worked on guitars with bands, including my own, for years and having fifteen years of woodworking experience, I began. With a slab of Black Walnut, I designed and built my first guitar, The Impaler, complete with a coffin case and six handles. A labor of love began. I went on to build The Wizard, The Witch and The Dragon. I sold a few, but kept many for myself because I ended up liking the sound and feeling more than any of my other guitars. Most of all, they were unique.
Monson Guitars was started in Northern California, spent a brief time in Austin, TX and is currently located near the Chico, CA area. Over the years, I've developed an arsenal of designs to rival anyone. From my early designs to the more recent designs showing my design experience......shaping the future of how you'll see functional and extreme. My guitars are a combination of function and bad ass looks. I try to make all my guitars function well first. It should be comfortable to play, well balanced, sound even better and look unique. I also try to make my guitars affordable. People coming up in the underground should be able to afford them, hence the reason for offering a base model guitar that isn't "loaded". I do not mass produce guitars. All my guitars are hand-made to order. Getting a custom built guitar for $1,100 is completely unheard of in the guitar industry. There are some guys out there making some cool guitars, and there are some out there making some real expensive novelty items...Something I try to avoid. I make guitars for people who want to strap these suckers on and play! However, it should be said, handmade guitars are more sensitive and responsive than factory guitars.....they have personality and this is why we play them....they have feel and tone.
The longer I build guitars, it has become increasingly obvious that the guitar industry is much like the music industry itself. There's a bunch of people sitting in a office who are completely out of touch with musicians and the music scene itself, who are trying to sell their guitars as the next trendy thing, while the real music scene is happening right under their noses. Most of the guitar industry is run by corporations who are just looking at the bottom line. Backstabbing is the name of the game for these guys! I have no desire to fit in with the guitar industry! I'm just a guy building guitars....no corporate agendas to think about. I take great pride in my craftsmanship and I'm always working on new and more unique designs. Quality is always a priority and nothing leaves my shop unless it meets my standards. I love to use black walnut as well as cherry because of the tone and sustain, not to mention the beauty, are excellent in my view. I've got so many designs coming it's ridiculous!.....and that is never going to stop. Many have made Monson guitars a requirement on stage and in the studio. Monson guitars, creating guitars that inspire you to create.
-Brent Monson
Monson Guitars
All guitar designs on this web site are the property of Monson Guitars. By entering and viewing the guitars on this web site, you agree to not reproduce or assimilate any designs contained herein. If you do not agree to these terms, you will be subject to legal action!