Meet the Luthier

My path to becoming a luthier is like many others.  I was first introduced to woodworking by my dad when I was just a kid.  I was immediately hooked and began making furniture in my teens.  Woodworking became a lifelong hobby and my work progressed to more and more complicated pieces, eventually specializing in Arts and Crafts furniture in the style of Gustav Stickley and Greene and Greene. 

I began playing guitar when I was in college.  It has been another lifelong hobby.  My love of these two hobbies combined to create a desire to make custom guitars.  I built my first electric guitar in 2015.  In 2016, I went to Maine to build my first acoustic guitar with professional Luthier William (Bill) Russo. Bill is a mentor and was instrumental in starting me on my path to making custom guitars.

After building my first acoustic with Bill, I began making guitars in my own shop. I have been mostly self-taught, allowing me the freedom to experiment and create truly custom instruments of my own design.

Many of the guitars I have made have gone to worship leaders here in Southern California.  I find great joy in seeing and hearing my guitars used to worship God.  This is still a hobby for me as I produce about three to four guitars a year.  I have a cache of beautiful exotic hardwoods for backs and sides and many high-quality guitar tops.  I build guitars that I personally love and then if someone wants the guitars I build, I will occasionally part with them.

I have currently exceeded the number of guitars my lovely wife will allow me to keep at our home.  This website was designed to allow me to showcase the guitars I have built and the ones I will build in the future.  As I continue building, I will eventually post the guitars that someone has not already purchased here on this website. 

FAQs

  • I build guitars as a hobby for the pure joy of it and not to earn an income. This allows me to offer my guitars at a lower price point for a custom instrument. Customers are helping me continue my hobby and they can benefit from that by getting a custom instrument for less investment. Guitars begin at $3,500 and will go up depending on the options and wood choices. When a guitar is available I will post it on the website with the price for that individual instrument.

  • I do not generally take custom orders. This is a hobby for me and I do this for fun. I do not want this to turn into a job. I build custom guitars that I personally like and want to keep. If someone else likes and appreciates that instrument, I will be willing to part with it. Currently all my instruments have been spoken for. As I make more instruments, I will post any that are available on this website. If there is a specific wood combination or model someone is interested in, they can contact me, and I'll consider that for future builds.

  • Any available instruments will be posted on this website. I do not have any available at this time.

  • I am located in Southern California at the base of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains east of Pasadena.

What is a Handcrafted Guitar?

Handcrafted guitars are instruments meticulously crafted by skilled artisans rather than mass-produced in factories. These guitars are typically known for their exceptional quality, unique aesthetics, and superior sound. Here’s a detailed description of handcrafted guitars:

Materials: Artisans only select the finest woods for handcrafted guitars. This includes premium cuts of spruce, cedar, redwood, mahogany, rosewood and a variety of other exotic hardwoods for the body, neck, and fretboard. The choice of wood can significantly impact the guitar’s tone and resonance.

Construction: Each component of a handcrafted guitar is carefully assembled by hand. This includes shaping the body, carving the neck, and meticulously placing each fret. The construction process is precise. The benefit of a handcrafted guitar is due to the artisan building each guitar specifically to achieve the optimal tone from the individual pieces of wood used in construction of that specific guitar.

Customization: Handcrafted guitars often allow for customization. Players can choose details such as the shape of the body, inlays on the fretboard, custom rosettes, binding materials, custom arm bevels, sound ports, multi-scale fretboards and finish options. This level of customization ensures that each guitar is not only a functional instrument but also a work of art tailored to the musician’s preferences.

Attention to Detail: Craftsmen pay close attention to every detail of a handcrafted guitar. This includes the fine sanding of the body and neck to ensure smooth surfaces, custom purflings out of shell, woods, and stone, and intricate designs for the rosette and headstock.

Sound Quality: Due to the care taken in selecting materials and constructing the instrument, handcrafted guitars produce a richer, more resonant sound compared to mass-produced guitars. Each guitar may have its own unique tonal character, influenced by the craftsmanship and the specific combination of woods used.

Artistry: Beyond functionality, handcrafted guitars are often considered works of art. Artisans may incorporate decorative elements such as intricate inlays, wood bindings, and custom finishes that enhance the visual appeal of the instrument.

Heritage and Tradition: Many handcrafted guitars are made by artisans who inherit and pass down traditional techniques. This craftsmanship often reflects years of experience and a deep understanding of both musical and woodworking traditions.

In summary, handcrafted guitars stand out not only for their superior sound and quality but also for the craftsmanship and artistry involved in their creation. Each instrument is a testament to the skill and dedication of the artisan, making it a cherished piece for musicians and collectors alike.

Let’s Connect

I would love to answer any questions you might have.