Robin versus Melancon

[Kizanski]

You really can't go wrong with either.
Having played many from both manufacturers, I think that you could make the case that Melancons were superior to Robins until a about 2 or 3 years ago, when Mr. Wintz really stepped it up. I'd say they are of equal quality now.

[BCRGreg]

Gerard's are more "Fendery". I prefer the Robin necks, and the fit and finish is exceptional now.

[The Shark]

Currently, there is a really killer Robin Wrangler Koa Slabtop for sale on this site. The price makes this specific guitar a steal.

[DCWalters]

Thanks Dave, this is a great guitar and perfect was to step into the Robin world! This will not kill the bank but you can tell everyone it did!

Joe,here are some pics for you to look at and I will email you my nuber if you wish to talk guitars...any guitars.
http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6349.jpg
http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6350.jpg
http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6351.jpg

[Joe P.]

Thanks for the input. What year did Robin quality start to increase and what was the cause?

[ChucksGuitarShop]

~~~

Man I've been looking at this off & on for a couple of days.

In my opinion Robin guitars have been GREAT for sheesh ... 18 - 20 years?

I had a Custom Machete back in 1991 that was the PINACLE of modern guitar building.

I had been looking a while into having Gerard Melancon build me a Cajun Gentleman because I love Filtertron pickups but I ended up having Dave Wintz build me a Texas Rawhide. It's a VERY different animal but it's a GREAT Guitar!

I just don't know what the deal is with saying that the newer stuff is better other than trying to push new sales because the resale value's aren't that great.

I own an Avalon built in 2004 that is also the pinacle of Luthery in the Les Paul vein.

Melancon only started building set neck guitars fairly recently & while I'm sure they're great guitars I just refuse to believe that Melancon has the history of supreme quality that Robin Guitars does. I also refuse to believe that the set neck guitars could possibly be better than my Avalon. It's still the best guitar I've ever played in my 40 years of hack & study on the darn things.

Dave Wintz has been at it at an equally high level as Melancon or higher for longer. Experience counts for a LOT!

I've pretty much only owned the higher end Robin's but man it just doesn't get any better at any price no matter when in the Robin history that they've been built. The quality has been very consistant as far as I'm concerned.

This is my 2004 Slabtop Supreme & it's Fabulous.

http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6365.jpg
http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6366.jpg
http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/5/6367.jpg

[Kizanski]

"I just don't know what the deal is with saying that the newer stuff is better other than trying to push new sales because the resale value's aren't that great."
Well, I'm not a dealer, so I don't have any "new" guitars for sale. If sales are up or down, it's all the same to me.
My comments were based on my experiences with old and new bolt on examples from both manufacturers, and I have no reason to slant my answer one way or another.
What I was trying to say was that Robins have been a little less refined and not as exemplary when it comes to fit and finish, fret dress, etc, as they have come to be in recent years - approx from 2004 to date. Gerard had issues early on, but got his manufacturing process refined before Dave did. I also know this from several conversations with both men on this very subject. For example, Melancon adjusted his manufacturing process to the point where he is the only person that touches his guitars from start to finish. His is truly a one man shop, so his output numbers would even be below that of Robin's.
Again, not having a horse in this race, I can make these points without any fear of accusations of favoritism. As it turns out, refinement and fit & finish (as it pertains to bolt on guitars) are not necessarily my bag, as my real preference is vintage Fenders in that regard, so again, I'm just stating an educated point (also, if you want to make the point that I'm giving Robin a back-handed compliment while praising Menancon, keep in mind that I sold my one Melancon and still have three Robins).
You don't have to agree, but it's the way it is.

Joe P. asked "What year did Robin quality start to increase and what was the cause?"
I can't narrow down the exact year. Certainly, any Robin is going to be VERY good, my point is just that the ones from recent years are exceptional.
As for the cause, the obvious answer is that Dave makes great guitars and his only desire is to make better ones than the day before. As for the impetus, I would like to think it came from discussions that he has had with players and enthusiasts whos opinions he respects. I can recall several occasions with Dave, BCR Greg, Stevie Clay, and others just hanging around in the shop, in the build room and at the dinner table, where after we spoke of families, fishing and current events, the discussion would turn to "the business."
He would graciously answer many of the "why don't you do this?" questions, but then he would ask questions like, "What do you think of this?" "How about the hardware on this guitar?" "What options would you like to see and which ones don't interest you?"
At the end of the day, Dave was going to continue to do what he wanted the way he wanted to do it (he would tell us as much), but he also said that he valued our input and when his schedule and workload would allow, he would consider it.
Rolled fingerboard edges is a perfect example. After hearing it from myself, the others mentioned above, and I'm sure countless others, Robin started rolling the fingerboard edges for a more comfortable feel about two years ago. It's a small step in the process, but an important one. Before that, the edges were sometimes sharp with pointy fret ends.
Also, the painter that Robin has used in the past two or three years has stepped up their game considerably. The finishes are much better than they used to be.
This is where a Melancon would have gotten the nod for only a couple of hundred dollars more in a back-to-back comparison a few years ago.
Now, I think the difference is negligible.

[DCWalters]

Robins are and have always been great guitars, I have had them anywhere from the late 80's/ early 90's till 2006. They have all been great guitars no issues or things I would have like to have been done differently.

The only arguement here is that Robin and Melancon are TWO DIFFERENT builders...I think it comes down to a "are you a Ford or Chevy guy type of question?"

Both are great guitars, and if you can afford either one you would be happy!

[The Shark]

.

[Smitty]

Joe's original question was:

"Hi, I'm new to this site. I'm thinking about buying either a used Robin or Melancon. Probably a in a Tele type body. I'm looking for opinions as to how these two custom builders compare. Thanks!"

I had to delete just that particular post in this thread at his request because of a profile change.... The thread continues, just couldn't fix what he needed fixed any other way....Smitty

[ChucksGuitarShop]

~~~

All good valid points Kiz ...

I just couldn't help myself ...

I do like the rolled fingerboards & I do agree that my older Machete with th 14" radius sure could have used a rolled edge... I just played the snot out of it though.

Hope we didn't chase off the new guy ...

There's a local Melancon dealer here in Philly... Medley Music...

They only take so many orders a year ... I had looked into the Cajun Gent a while back but not fully knowing the brand I was reluctant so I went with my new Texas Rawhide Hollow & it's a real winner.

~~~

[Joe P.]

I'm still here conducting as much research as I can before taking the plunge. I really do appreciate all the input provided.

[Jarold Davis]

I posted something close to this on TGP, Joe, but here it is again with a twist...

As for Robins, I have a Rawhide, a couple Avalons, and a Savoy. I have one Melancon, a P90 Artist.

My bolt-on Robin has a vintage neck taper (kinda like Anderson's '60s vibe or Fender vintage hod rod 62), while the Mel has a modern neck taper (think Anderson's TA standard even taper).

Both instruments are great. The Rawhide I own has a swamp ash body, maple neck w/ rosewood board. It out-fenders all the teles I played before I bought the Rawhide - not to contradict Greg's post, however. My Avalons out-gibson just about any gibby I've played, so....

The Mel P90 Artist has a mahogany body, koa top, mahogany neck with rosewood board. Again, outdoes just about any fender (or gibby). Different animal than the Rawhide, but fit, finish, quality, and tone I consider them pretty equal.

What tipped the scales, for me, is neck shape. the Robins feel better to me because of the beefy C on their bolt-ons. Mels don't have a "beefy C" (or vintage taper) option, unless you're willing to spend $8k-$10k for Gerard to make a Master Artist. So, Robin it is.

I probably will be selling my Mel to fund another Robin. I think they're both excellent guitars, just that the Robin "fits".