Author Topic: Anyone looking for a Phiga? (Read 237 times)

bsee · « **on:** April 02, 2008, 09:09:11 PM »

There's one in great shape at a local shop here. Contact me ASAP if you're interested. It's a set-neck guitar and I think it was priced at about $800.

Here's a pic:

lbpesq · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2008, 10:39:37 PM »

That's a Phiga Casta. I'm selling one with a maple top for $700, if anyone is interested.

Bill, tgo

bsee · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2008, 10:49:14 PM »

So, is this not a good price at $800 then? I don't know much about these things at all, other than that there was some demand around here for them. The store manager said that the person who traded it to them said he paid $1700 or so for it.

The neck is a bit chunky and appeared to be three pieces with flame maple sides and maybe a walnut center. The back looks like swamp ash and I thought the top might be ebony. They sent me a few more pics if anyone is interested.

-bob

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2008, 07:05:09 AM »

According to Phil Gawen's website (Phil is the one man operation that makes Phiga guitars), the current starting price for a Casta is $950 with a production time of 9-12 weeks. I don't know how much or how quickly the price goes up from there. Phiga's are quite inexpensive, as far as boutique instruments go. Phil makes Jerry guitars that are far less expensive than Alembic. I recently got to check out his version of the Tribute, the Bolt. It's nice, but in comparison to the Alembic, all I can say is you get what you pay for. I've never dealt personally with Phil, (I did email him with some questions when I first got my Casta - he never responded). I read and heard that he is quite a character, can be difficult to deal with (I've also heard the opposite - go figure) and the build time can go quite a bit longer than the estimate (what a shocker!!!). If you go to the Phiga web site, click on Casta at the bottom and scroll down to where you see Beyond Design, mine is the flame maple one just above. $800 without the wait is a good price. $700 is better! lol. These things have big necks ... think baseball bat.

Bill, tgo

bsee · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2008, 02:57:22 PM »

Bill, if that picture is your guitar, I don't think it is maple. The file name on the picture refers to it as casta_aniegre, which is an African wood that looks a lot like maple. I don't know anything more about it than that.

I have pointed them at the site and given them some of your info. I suspect none from here will show any interest and they may have to lower the price if all are as well informed.

lbpesq · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2008, 05:30:09 PM »

Thanks Bob. One of the questions I had for Phil was about the woods used. Now, thanks to you, I have a partial answer. The one above may very well have been $1700 new with extras and add ons. And I have to admit that I find the crop circle inlays (Phiga's trademark) pretty cool.

Bill, tgo

brb9911 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2008, 08:46:01 AM »

I'm gonna guess he uses a redwood tree for the neck ; )

zappahead · « **Reply #7 on:** April 05, 2008, 06:37:34 PM »

The Casta is Phil's best original model. The newer ones have much nicer carving around the horns. My brother has one, its a pretty nice guitar. His neck is a bit big but not as large as some of the others mentioned, Phil has probably toned it down a bit. Ive dealt with Phil a couple of times and Id probably go with a used one or one of his builds he sells on his site that are already done. He has communication issues which are a big problem if you getting involved in a custom build.

pace · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2008, 01:43:48 PM »

Bob, which Daddy's is that at?
Im a straight shot right down 395, and I realized that one has a fixed tailpiece~ which is what I'd prefer.... shoot me an e-mail if you dont want to disclose that factoid online.

-Mike

bsee · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2008, 02:37:13 PM »

It was in Shrewsbury, but it should have appeared in their on-line database as of about 4/9. Since I don't see it there when I do a search, I am assuming that it was either sold or is in the process of transfer to a different store. You can try to give them a call. Karen, the manager in Shrewsbury, also said she might be able to work a bit on the price after I shared Bill's thoughts with her.

-bob

pace · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2008, 06:34:23 PM »

Thanks Bob!!

hieronymous · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2008, 08:11:34 PM »

Mmm, Shrewsbury - brings back memories! Actually, I may never have been there, but it's such a Massachusetts name! (I lived in Bedford on and off for over half of my life.) We now return you to our regularly scheduled thread.

keith_h · « **Reply #12 on:** April 18, 2008, 04:38:39 AM »

Funny I lived in Bedford and on base at Hanscom in my younger years.

Keith