What is a Pick Your Top?
What if you could take customization to another level and pick the exact top wood for your next Kiesel? A few times throughout the year, Kiesel Guitars holds special events to offer just this.
A dedicated live session, aptly named "Pick Your Top," runs on both YouTube and Facebook to provide customers the autonomy to ask questions, see top woods up close, and eventually secure their desired top for their next build.
Highlight Reel: Kiesel Pick Your Top Highlights
Step 1: Preparation
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Because of the event's fast-paced nature and the incredible hype surrounding it, the Custom Shop Experts juggle multiple orders at once while doing their absolute best to secure the desired top for each customer. Orders that require the least consultation can be placed sooner and more quickly, thereby maximizing the chance of securing the top wood.
One of the best pieces of advice for a PYT is to arrive with the desired guitar or bass model and a rough list of specs. If you have a regular Custom Shop Expert, be sure to contact them first!
Tip: Play around with the Virtual Builder to see what you like! While PYT woods will vary from the builder, the site is still a great tool to see what schemes and woods work well with your tastes. Try coming ready with two or three mockups for various species!
Tip: Keep an eye on Kiesel's social media within 24 hours of the PYT for possible teasers or sneak peeks. |
Step 2: The Process
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While live, Jeff Kiesel will showcase the various tops and offer insight into what makes each piece unique, whether it's grain, species, or a deeply discounted price. Once a customer locks in their order with a Custom Shop Expert, Jeff will use a template of the chosen guitar or bass shape and trace its outline on the top wood. This allows the customer to see exactly how the figuring and grain will line up on the face of the instrument, as well as providing a screenshot opportunity. The piece is then set aside out of frame, securing the top wood for the customer.
One of the perks of a PYT beyond the hands-on selection is the Wheel of Deals. Every large event, top wood purchases get a spin on the wheel, with prizes ranging from free wood upgrades to 20% off the entire order! In a 2026 PYT, a customer received 20% off their order.
Tip: The phone lines may be backed up due to the number of callers! Be sure to call right when you decide on your top wood.
Tip: If a top that you were eyeing was claimed, it may have a duplicate blank behind it! |
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Step 3: Finalizing Specs and Order Confirmation
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Because waves of customers are trying to reach the Custom Shop Experts during the PYT Live, Kiesel aims to ensure a quick turnaround on each top order. One of the processes put into place is the simplistic ordering system. When reaching out to a salesperson during the Live, the customer only needs to provide their name, the top they select, the instrument model, and basic specs.
Once the Live is over, the salesperson will reach back out to flesh out the order and get it into production.
Tip: Tops cannot be held for multiple days, meaning that orders need to be processed the same day as the PYT!
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International:
Due to time zone differences around the world, it may be hard for international customers to participate in the event the same way domestic customers do. If reaching out to Kiesel over the phone is not an option, customers can contact international@kieselguitars.com. Sending an email as soon as possible will increase the chances of securing a certain top!
PYT Policies
To ensure a fair environment for prospective buyers, various policies have been put in place over the years.
-No Order Cancellations: Because the piece was claimed and possibly taken from another order, Kiesel cannot offer build cancellations.
-Duplicate Tops: To provide a steady flow and efficient event, duplicate blanks behind the first piece cannot be shown off until said first piece is claimed.
-No Top Wood-Only Purchases: Pick Your Top woods must be purchased with a new Kiesel instrument. Current builds cannot be modified, and the top is not available for purchase on its own.
Notable Time Periods:
-Tax Return Season
-Halloween
-Black Friday
Even if you aren't in the market for another instrument, the Pick Your Top events are an entertaining watch! Follow Kiesel Guitars' social media for an announcement of the next PYT.
Watch the 2026 Tax Return PYT