Anyone looking for a Phiga? Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Swap Shop and Wish Lists » Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere » Archive through May 04, 2008 » Anyone looking for a Phiga? « Previous Next »

Author Message
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 1935
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 8:09 pm:   Edit Post

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:

phiga
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 3026
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 9:39 pm:   Edit Post

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

Bill, tgo
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 1936
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 9:49 pm:   Edit Post

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
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 3027
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 6:05 am:   Edit Post

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
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 1938
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 1:57 pm:   Edit Post

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
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 3028
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 4:30 pm:   Edit Post

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
Junior
Username: brb9911

Post Number: 18
Registered: 10-2007
Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 7:46 am:   Edit Post

I'm gonna guess he uses a redwood tree for the neck ; )
zappahead
Intermediate Member
Username: zappahead

Post Number: 145
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Saturday, April 05, 2008 - 5:37 pm:   Edit Post

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
Advanced Member
Username: pace

Post Number: 366
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 1:43 pm:   Edit Post

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
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 1948
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 2:37 pm:   Edit Post

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
Advanced Member
Username: pace

Post Number: 369
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 6:34 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Bob!!
hieronymous
Advanced Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 300
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 8:11 pm:   Edit Post

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
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1001
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 4:38 am:   Edit Post

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

Keith

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration