Is 7000 too much for a custom guitar?

That's a lot of money, but not the highest priced maker around. Some custom makers get twice that ... or more. Seems to me, you've already made up your mind. However, I would have him install a high quality piezo pickup and preamp. Yes, I know you want acoustic, and to make it work you'll have to get an acoustic amp for your own use ... they're different than regular amps, but when it comes time to set up for the gig, it'll make it much easier for everyone if they can just plug your wireless signal into the mix. It'll also help in the studio. Fishman makes some good ones. If you don't want one permanently installed, fishman makes a unit that is all in the pick guard, so you swap out the pick guard and you're totally acoustic again. You could have this guy make a pick guard that looks the same as the fishman setup, so the guitar always looks the same. Do get pick guards, you don't want the thing to wind up looking like Willie's guitar, with a big hole in it where there shouldn't be any.

I don't agree with Alan at all. If he has a 20 year old Martin that sounds no better than his $100 guitar then he has a really sh*tty Martin. $7000 is a lot of money, but about what you will expect to pay for something like that. You can spend that much on many hand made brands like McPhereson, Froggy Bottom, etc. Hell there are Martin's and Taylor's that cost that much. My only comment is this. I wouldn't spend $7000 on anything without playing it first. I don't have any $7000 guitar myself, but do have a $4500 Les Paul and a $3500 Custom Shop Strat, and in total spent about $13,000 on the 5 electrics I have. Point being, good instruments are expensive. Some of us are willing to pay for that and some aren't, which is fine. I don't regret the money I spent. I also do not agree that you have to be a "professional" to own an instrument like that. I am a working musician, but if I quit gigging I'll still get just as much enjoyment out of my guitars, and that's all that matters.

its rather foolish to me to spend all that money on a guitar,custom made or not.It will not be a one of a kind or special, just a really expensive guitar.I have several acoustic guitars. been playing 38 years.I have a Martin i bought in a pawn shop 20 years ago. is worth 5 grand today,But it sounds no better than my old lyle, which i paid 100 bucks for its sounds so much better., But it was made in the late sixties, and sounds so sweet a rich deep tone, action is like butter.If you want it you will spend the money. i think its foolish unless you are a proffesional musician.