There are a lot of people who are beginning to build guitars,
hoping to build a business and become well regarded luthiers, who can charge the high prices needed to justify the time and care spent.

If you find a talented newcomer, you can often have
a custom guitar created for you at a price much lower
than they will charge once they have a reputation.

Look at their past work.
I know Frank Pirrone is beginning to make custom electric
solidbodys out of exotic woods, such as purpleheart.

Here's one he calls the Pirahna 33,
because his electronics give it 33 different voices:
http://members.localnet.com/~fpirrone/piranha.jpg