More or less in alphabetical order by last name or full name of business, but grouped by country (Canada, USA, Europe, Other. Note: USA is the largest, so I moved it to the bottom). Initially the list included only those I have had contact with – but I infilled with the info from the GAL list, modified as I checked each link out. MGS is the Montreal Guitar Show, VIGF is the Vancouver International Guitar Festival. For references to other guitar shows; https://www.fretboardjournal.com/columns/recap-the-la-conner-guitar-festival-and-the-vancouver-international-guitar-festival/.
Pulled from the VGIF website, 2018 and 2017 are both done, as well as LCGF_2018.
Tags;
- #ShopTour means there are at least pictures of the shop. See also #Technique, #Tools and #Jigs.
- #VIGF_2017 – Vancouver International Guitar Festival, 2017.
- #VIGF_2018 – Vancouver International Guitar Festival, 2018.
- #LCGF_2018 – La Conner Guitar Festival, 2018.
- #OGS-2015 – Ottawa Guitar Show.
- #MGS-2011 – Montreal Guitar Show.
Guitar Manufacturers
B&G GUITARS, ISRAEL
bngguitars.com
B&G Guitars was founded by Eliran Barashi & Yotam (Kiki) Goldstein – skillful and expert luthiers in the field of vintage guitars from the golden era, and Avi Goldfinger – an artist and entrepreneur. We are devoted to one thing only – creating the best sounding instruments on the market. TelAviv, Israel. #VGIF_2017.
A number of good videos at https://bngguitars.com/videos, including one on building their “Prototype” model #tube_Amp, #neck_shaping, #fretting, fretboard gluing, gluing on the top (hollow-body electric), body shaping, finish process and #sunburst applying, use of #hide_glue, and making of hardware (making of molds for cast-brass – no detail on how to do it, just an overview of how they did it for their pickup covers and tailpieces).
D’ANGELICO GUITARS, USA
www.dangelicoguitars.com
D’Angelico Guitars is on the move, from their tiny shop in Little Italy to a sprawling showroom in midtown Manhattan. We continue to produce exceptional guitars that uphold the legacy of John D’Angelico. Our lines, featuring both reissues and new semi-hollow designs of all sizes, are defined by their remarkable quality and tone. At D’Angelico, we maintain our legend by guaranteeing the utmost quality instruments made with the utmost passion.
Fender Guitars, USA
www.fender.com
Since 1991 Corporate headquarters is located in Scottsdale, Ariz., U.S.A., with manufacturing headquarters and the Fender Custom Shop in Corona, Calif. FMIC markets using the brand names Fender®, Squier®, Charvel®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, and EVH®.
Gibson, USA
www.gibson.com
Gibson filed for bankruptcy on May 1, 2018. Other (guitar) brands affected by this include Dobro and Epiphone.
Larrivée Guitars, USA
www.larrivee.com
Started out in Toronto in 1967 under the tutelage of Edgar Munch Sr., father of famed classical guitarist Edgar Munch Jr. Started his own shop in 1970, with assistance from the likes of William “Grit” Laskin, Linda Manzer, Sergei de Jong, David Wren and Tony Duggan-Smith. Relocated to Victoria BC in 1977, then to Vancouver in 1982. In 2001, he opened a second shop in Oxnard California, and forced to close his Vanouver shop in 2013. Now in Oxnard, CA.
Martin Guitars, USA
www.martinguitar.com
Taylor Guitars, USA
www.taylorguitars.com
Handcrafted acoustic including the award winning GS.
WEBER MANDOLINS
https://webermandolins.com/
Bend, Oregan.
Not A Luthier
Brad’s page of Steel (Not a Luthier – but a resource website for lap steel instruments). Lap guitar stuff.
Cremona International Violin making School Violin makers school of Cremona (Spain).
Famous Guitarmakers Internet World Headquarters. Veteran guitarmaker, author, and teacher Anthony Huvard has a host of offerings at this informative site including an online lutherie study course.
FRETS.COM
http://www.frets.com/
A vast online encyclopedia of info and photos regarding acoustic fretted instrument maintenance, repair, and restoration. One of two sites maintained by Frank Ford. The other is Gryphon Strings.
Harp Guitars (not a luthier) dedicated to the playing, restoration, building and preservation of the harp guitar.
Instruments of the world from Lark in the Morning as well as some information relating to lutherie. Obviously not a luthier, but lots of cool information about world music and instruments.
Lollar Pickups – Jason Lollar’s guitar and electric guitar pickup website; informative free info. as well as commercial content. Not a Luthier, but a supplier. Tacoma, WA.
Liutaio Mottalo’s Lutherie Information Website, features a collection of resources on the subject of designing and building plucked stringed musical instruments.
Lars Kirmser’s Music Trader‘s website; informative info for builders and repair people.
Musicmaker Kits (Supplier, not a luthier) A review of their banjo kit will appear in AL#62. Stillwater, MN.
Reilander Pickups is a Canadian company that has been producing fine, hand wound guitar pickups and electronics since 2007. Vancouver, BC.
Violin Society of America Website.
Robert Zuger, physics and geometry of the violin.
Vancouver Guitar Festival – 2018 edition.
Canada
FABRIZIO ALBERICO
Fabrizio Alberico, Luthier
www.albericoguitar.com
Guided by his love of music, informed by his keen eye for detail, and inspired by his quest for perfect tone and playability, Fabrizio has been crafting exquisite instruments for the most discerning players since 1998. He began with an exclusive focus on steel-string guitars for fingerstyle players like himself, who demand uncompromising balance and clarity across the tonal spectrum. Fabrizio continues to individually handcraft these guitars in his shop in Victoria, BC. A few years ago, he also began playing Old-Time banjo, and so naturally turned his creative eyes, ears, and hands towards crafting banjos (under the name “Ashoka”) which possess the same world-class playability, tone, and aesthetic appeal as his guitars.. Victoria, BC. #VGIF_2017.
NICOLE ALONISAC LUTHIERY
Nicole Alosinac, Luthier
www.nicolealosinacluthiery.com
Vancouver luthier Nicole Alosinac has extensive experience in acoustic and electric guitar and bass repair, violin restoration, and other stringed instruments including mandolin, ukulele, and banjo repair. All stringed instrument needs, from guitar setup and intonation adjustments, to violin repair and reconstruction, can be addressed by her skilled hands. Nicole Alosinac Luthiery was established in 2003. Vancouver, BC. #VGIF_2018.
ROBERT ANDERSON GUITARS
http://www.robertandersonguitars.com/Home.html
Builds steel and nylon string guitars, violins and bows. Located in Victoria BC Canada.
Richard Aubut
http://www.richardaubutluthier.com/
Specialised in guitar-making for 30 years now. Services include guitar repair, maintenance, adjustments. Also available to give workshops on guitar-making, as well as making customized hand-made guitars. Matane, Québec (I think).
JOEL BARBEAU
Joel Barbeau, Luthier
jbluthier.com
I aim to build guitars that meet the requirements of the modern performing musician, while keeping a tradition aesthetic and a dynamically rich, colourful sound. Largely inspired by the body outline of the guitars built by the great Spanish luthiers Jose Luiso Romanillos and Antonio de Torres, I have derived my own shape. Every rosette tile, every binding and every purfling is meticulously made in the shop, by me. These decorative elements are made entirely out of naturally coloured wood, no dye is used. Montréal, QC. #VGIF_2017.
LES GUITARES BARON, CANADA
Maxime Baron, Luthier
www.guitaresbaron.com
Montreal Guitar Maker Maxime Baron is a promising luthier from the Quebec luthier industry. He graduated with distinction from Longueuil’s guitar making school in 2010. Through word of mouth, he established himself as one of Montreal’s proficient repair shop. He now shares his knowledge in training classes. The guitars built with Maxime Baron’s signature have benefited from this experience. Montréal, QC. #VGIF_2018.
G.R. Bear Guitars, CANADA
Gypsy Rye Bear, Luthier
www.grbear.com
Gypsy crafts only a handful of unique custom guitars per year, utilizing modern bracing techniques, acoustic resonance tuning, meticulous engineering and a clean defined aesthetic to make instruments with far more volume, sustain, clarity and projection than you will find in most other guitars. He likes to utilize Australian native timbers such as Blackwood, Gidgee, Mulga and King William Pine for their unique aesthetic and one of a kind tonal character. Every aspect of the Instruments he builds is tailored to creating the absolute best sounding and looking guitars possible. Vancouver, BC. #VGIF_2018, #LCGF_2018.
BEARDSELL GUITARS, CANADA
Allan Beardsell, Luthier
www.beardsellguitars.com
Allan Beardsell, builder of guitars of the acoustic, electric, historical, and harp styles, and mandolins. (wdm – there are some gorgeous mandolins here – he explains that “The A style (the round hole gibson A-style) was more suited to the open comping as opposed to the percussive muted style of bluegrass comping. “. He also notes that he “adjusted the fingerboard width and spacing with the guitarist in mind. The body is a little deeper (than a standard mandolin?), also to expand that percussive ‘chunk’ on the low strings.”). Winnepeg, MB. #VGIF_2017.
HUGUES BEAULIEU
http://www.guitarebeaulieu.com/
Designs and builds custom acoustic guitars. Also customises electric guitars as well as builds custom pickups. Located in Pont-Rouge, Québec, Canada.
Beauregard Guitars, Canada
Mario Beauregard, Luthier
beauregardguitars.com
Mario Beauregard has a one-man shop outside of Montreal, Quebec in St-Denis-sur-Richelieu and builds high end guitars, primarily steel string and archtops but also nylon string jazz models. Beauregard instruments are exceptional, and highly sought after by accomplished players. Steel string and archtops. St-Denis-sur-Richelieu (near Montréal), PQ. #VGIF_2018.
BOND INSTRUMENTS, CANADA
Louis-philippe Bond, Luthier
www.bond-instruments.com
Louis-Phillippe Bond specializes in making electric guitars and basses that are conceived to fulfill the needs of virtuoso musicians. His instruments possess all the attributes necessary to permit musicians to express their passion with ease and precision. Ste Majorique de Grantham (near Drummomdville), PQ. #VGIF_2018.
BOUCHEREAU GUITARS
Loïc Bortot, Luthier
https://www.bouchereau-guitars.com/
Steelstring Flat Top Guitars. Quebec City, Quebec. #LCGF_2018.
BRUNO BOUTIN, CANADA
Bruno Boutin, Luthier
http://brunoboutinluthier.com
Classical, Flamenco, Ukelele. Magog, Québec. #MGS-2011.
CELTIC CROSS INSTRUMENTS
Neil Russell, Luthier
Celtic Cross Instruments
– Slide guitars such as Weissenborn (“Hollowneck” Guitars) in teardrop and standard shape in 25″ and 30″ scale. Victoria, BC.
CAROLINE CHAMPAGNE
http://lutheriemoustache.com
– Gypsy Jazz (“Moustache”) guitars and Irish bouzoukis. Website uses Adobe Flash. Québec PQ. #MGS-2011.
CLÉROUX GUITARS, CANADA
Vincent Cléroux , Luthier
www.clerouxguitars.com
Vincent has been handcrafting guitars professionally since 2011. He holds a diploma from Bruand school in Montreal. Then, he apprenticed with master luthier Stephen Marchione to learn the craft of archtop guitars. Recently, with other guitar makers he founded “Lutherie de Bordeaux,” a shared studio for guitar makers in Montreal. Vincent specializes in steel string, semi-hollow and archtop guitars. Montréal, PQ. #VGIF_2018.
COLOMA GUITARS, CANADA
Meredith Coloma, Luthier
www.meredithcoloma.com
Vancouver-based Meredith Coloma is recognized as one of the youngest professional guitar builders internationally. She currently runs a successful business handcrafting custom guitars and teaching guitar building at her Vancouver Guitar Building Workshop. As a luthier, Meredith aspires to use her innovative building talents to create original custom guitars that are characterized by aesthetic beauty and superior tone. Vancouver BC. #VGIF_2017, #VGIF_2018.
DEMERS GUITARS
http://www.demersguitars.com/
Handcrafted electric and acoustic guitars made by Canadian luthier Jef Demers. Located near Montréal, PQ.
HAROLD DICKERT
http://www.dickert.ca/
Steel string and electric guitar maker in Kilbride, Ontario, Canada.
STEVE DICKIE GUITARS
Steve Dickie, Luthier
http://home.golden.net/~steved/
An amateur builder in Wiarton, Ontario, Canada.
LUTHERIE DION, CANADA
Simon Dion, Luthier
www.lutheriedion.com
Simon Dion builds concert level classical and acoustic guitars. His goal is to make unique guitars at each and every build; you will never find two identical pieces. He loves every aspect of building such amazing pieces of art. The design of an instrument is as important as the sound it will produce; he strives for the perfect balance of a great sounding guitar with a unique look. He is the official luthier in Quebec, for the Long&Mcquade Laval, Montreal, Saint-Eustache and Longueuil stores. Montréal, PQ. #VGIF_2018.
DION GUITARS, CANADA
Dion James, Luthier
dionguitars.ca
There is little doubt that “Dion James” is the same person as “Dion Bews” who displayed his guitars at MGS in 2011, at that time working from a shop in Montreal’s Mile End district, (at least according to the bio-text in the show guide, albeit notoriously inaccurate) . It appears that Mr. Bews/James got himself in a bit of hot water in an incident at a protest march in Edmonton in January of 2017. Apparently after voicing his opinion about the support the paper (Rebel Media) gives to (then newly-elected) american president Donald Trump, he pushed (punched?) a camera away and in the process the camera hit the reporter, Sheila Gunn Reid. He realized that he over-reacted almost immediately, and tried to make amends (see https://twitter.com/dionbew), but the damage was done to his reputation, so much so that he appears to have needed to change his name, at least professionally. A shame, because he makes very nice guitars. Edmonton Alberta. #VIGF_2017, #MGS-2011, #LCGF_2018.
DnA RYER GUITARS, CANADA
David Ryer, Luthier
www.ryerguitars.com
David Ryer, Luthier. Guitars and mandolins. Beckwith, Ontario. #VIGF_2017, #VIGF_2018, #ShopTalk #BuildingCourses.
DOMINELLI GUITARS
Marcus Dominelli, Luthier
http://www.dominelliguitars.com/
Fine classical, flamenco guitars. Located, I think, in Victoria BC.
DRAGONFLY GUITARS
Dan Richter, Luthier
dragonflyguitars.com
Dan Richter has been a luthier for over fifteen years. Trained as an acoustic guitar-make, he has also built electric instruments, banjos, harps and various other stringed instruments. He is a professional guitarist performing, touring and recording with his band, The Rakish Angles, as well as with other projects. All these experiences inform the design and construction of Dan’s instruments. Grantham’s Landing, BC. #VIGF_2017, #VIGF_2018.
TONY DUGGAN-SMITH
http://tonyduggan-smith.com/
Guitar builder in Toronto, Ontario. #MGS-2011.
EGAN CUSTOM GUITARS, CANADA
Joe Egan, Luthier
www.egancustomguitars.com
Vancouver, BC. #VIGF_2017.
JERRY FARRELL
http://www.farrellguitars.com/index.html
Builds classical guitars based on the Torres/Hauser tradition in Hamilton, Ontario. #MGS-2011.
FAST GUITARS, CANADA
Kevin Fast, Luthier
www.fastguitars.com
Since 2006, Fast Guitars has been building custom electric guitars and basses using modern technology, traditional craftsmanship, and the finest materials available. Vancouver, BC. #VIGF_2018.
THE FRANK BROTHERS GUITAR COMPANY
Tim, Nick and Jon Frank, and Warren Spitz , Luthiers
www.frankbrothersguitars.com
Heirloom quality, professional performance, and original design. Frank Brothers Guitar Company uses premium materials and meticulous craftsmanship to make each guitar a unique masterpiece. Exceeding expectations for quality, playability and sonic experience is our constant motivation. Toronto, Ontario. #VIGF_2017.
FRETBOARDS
Jeffrey Rogers-Wardle, Luthier
http://www.fretboards.ca/
Jeff does custom inlay work (abalone, gold, silver, etc.) & marquetry as well as build, modify, & repair guitars to your specifications. Orangeville, Ontario.
GREGORY FURAN.
http://www.furanguitars.com/.
Toronto, Ontario.
GANDER GUITARS
Ray Gander, Luthier
http://www.ganderguitars.com/
Ray Gander has been building guitars for over 40 years and now builds solid body electric guitars in Selkirk, Manitoba. #MGS-2011.
BEHRAD GORGANI,
Behrad Gorgani, Luthier
www.www.nematgorgani.com
Behrad builds small bodied steel string, flamenco, and concert classical guitars in his shop located in Toronto, Ontario. #VIGF_2017.
OSKAR GRAF GUITARS
http://grafguitars.com
Archtop, steel string and classical guitars. ‘Nearly retired’. Westport, ON. #MGS-2011.
MICHAEL GREENFIELD
http://www.greenfieldguitars.com/
Builds harp, archtop and steel string guitars. Located in Montreal, Québec, Canada. #VGIF_2017, #MGS-2011.
HAMM-TONE GUITARS AND MANDOLINS
http://www.jeremyhamm.ca/
Custom built acoustic and electric instruments; both forward thinking designs and vintage influences, since 1999. Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
JOSEPH HART
https://myspace.com/josephhart
Not a website, per se, but a myspace connection. Guelph, ON. #MGS-2011.
HEIDEN INSTRUMENTS, CANADA
www.heideninstruments.ca
Michael Heiden began making instruments in the rich music environment of Vancouver, British Columbia in the 1970’s. Apart from playing fiddle, mandolin, and guitar in numerous folk, bluegrass, and swing bands, he developed a reputation as a skilled repairman concentrating on restoration and setup of quality instruments. This experience combined with a genuine desire to create fine tuned, responsive and player friendly instruments has made Heiden Stringed Instruments distinctive and collectable. His mandolins are played by John Reichman, Ry Cooder, Andrew Collins and Forrest O’Conner. (wdm – I like the colour theme on his oval-hole mandos…). Creston, BC. #VGIF_2017.
HOUSE GUITARS
https://www.houseguitars.com/
Josh House, Goderich Ontario. Nice website. #MGS-2011.
DWIGHT HUBLEY
http://hubleyguitars.com/
Builds electric guitars and basses as well as archtop acoustic guitars in Ottawa, Ontario Canada.
INDIAN HILL GUITAR COMPANY
Michael Kennedy, Luthier
http://indianhillguitars.com/
Steelstring Flat Top Guitars. Montreal, Quebec. #LCGF_2018.
DONTCHO IVANOV
Dontcho Ivanov, Luthier
dontchoivanov.com
Dontcho Ivanov began studying classical guitar at the age of 14 in Bulgaria and has since devoted his life to music. After a three-year stay in France, where he continued to perfect his art, he came to Montreal, Canada to complete his BA in classical guitar interpretation at UQAM. Montreal, PQ. #VGIF_2017, #VIGF_2018.
JOI GUITARS, CANADA
joiguitars.com
A stonemason father and a seamstress mother introduced Reuben Forsland to the rendering of raw materials into finely designed and aesthetically ornate objects. From a treasury of recycled bottles he purchased his first guitar at age nine. After developing the skills of a professional carpenter and furniture maker for fifteen years, Reuben found himself again in a hometown guitar shop considering the instruments that surrounded him. Inspired, He put hand to tool, and JOI Guitars found its inception. Comox Valley, BC. #VGIF_2017.
SERGEI DE JONGE,
Sergei de Jonge , Luthier
www.www.sergeidejonge.com
My emphasis is on building the highest possible calibre of concert classical guitars intended for the performing professional. Innovation plays an important role in the evolution of my guitars; each is crafted to best suit the distinctive needs of the individual player. Most of the orders I get are custom, so I encourage my clients to dream of their ultimate instrument. All of my guitars have an all natural traditional french polished finish.
Apprenticed under Jean Larrivée, alongside several others, including Grit Laskin. Now has a shop where he builds and teaches in Chelsea Québec. #VIGF_2017, #MGS-2011.
KAROL GUITARS, CANADA
Tony Karol, Luthier
www.karol-guitars.com
Tony Karol has been fascinated with guitars since high school. After a career in the telecom industry, he became a professional builder in 2001. Since then, he has built 125 guitars, for musicians such as Tommy Emmanuel, Bruce Cockburn and Stephen Bennett. Using select materials from around the world, each guitar is hand crafted in his Mississauga studio. Mississauga, ON. #MGS-2011, #VIGF_2018.
KAWAKAMI GUITARS, CANADA
Yusuke Kawakami, Luthier
www.ykawakami.com
Vancouver, BC. #VIGF_2017, #VIGF_2018.
THÉO KAZOURIAN LUTHIER, CANADA
Théo Kazourian, Luthier
www.kazourian-luthier.com
Steel string acoustic and Gypsy Jazz guitars. Montréal, Québec. #VIGF_2017, #VIGF_2018.
EDWARD KLEIN
http://www.edwardkleinguitars.com/
Classical guitar maker located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. #MGS-2011.
KORNIL GUITARS, CANADA
Igor Kornilov, Luthier
www.kornil.com
Igor Kornilov started his guitar building in 1983 in Moscow. Since 2003, he has been living in Winnipeg, Canada. In 2007, “Kornil Guitars™” was awarded the Winnipeg Arts Council’s and the Manitoba Arts Council’s Grants. Over the past 35 years, Igor has built about 350 instruments: archtops, basses, electric and acoustic guitars, and many-string instruments. Winnipeg, SK. #VIGF_2018.
KRONBAUER GUITARS, CANADA
Trevor Kronbauer, Luthier
www.kronbauerguitars.com
Trevor Kronbauer’s passion for music and the power of a song is his drive to continually produce guitars with phenomenal sound, comfortable playability, beautiful aesthetics and the artistry he is known for. Every Kronbauer guitar is made with Trevor’s own two hands, from solid woods utilizing traditional craftsmanship. Trevor’s continued mission with his work is to make Kronbauer guitars a players instrument of choice as well as a valued tool of inspiration and creativity. Vernon, BC. #VIGF_2018.
LUTHERIE LACASSE, CANADA
Antoine Lacasse, Luthier
www.lutherielacasse.com
Antoine Lacasse has been working with wood since his childhood and it has always fascinated him. It is that passion, associated with his enthusiasm for guitars, that brought him to study with Rene Wilhelmy at Bruand Lutherie School from 2012 to 2015. Since then, he always tries to surpass himself in every step of the building process, from the first drawing to the last adjustments. Lévis, Québec. #VIGF_2018.
GRIT LASKIN, CANADA
www.williamlaskin.com
William “Grit” Laskin is an internationally celebrated Canadian luthier, particularly notable for his high-quality instruments, acoustic guitar innovations (such as the “Laskin Armrest” and “Ribrest”) and for his skill in the art of inlay. The Art Of Inlay describes Laskin as “one of the most astonishing inlay artists in North America.” His guitars have been exhibited as works of art in many museums. Grit is the author and subject of many books including A Guitarmaker’s Canvas: The Inlay Art of Grit Laskin. Toronto, Ontario. #VIGF_2017.
LETAIN GUITARS
Jeff Letain, Luthier
www.letainguitars.com
Jeff Letain, Luthier. Vancouver Island, BC. #VIGF_2017. #VIGF_2018 #LCGF_2018.
HEIDI LITKE, CANADA
Heidi Litke, Luthier
www.redsandsukuleles.com
Heidi Litke has been building instruments since 2007. She was the co-owner of The Bean Sprout Banjo Ukulele Company for three years. In 2010, Heidi had an amazing opportunity to study with luthier Robbie O’Brien of O’Brien Guitars. There she learned the art of building classical guitars, ukuleles and the French polish technique. In the spring of 2012, she then studied with luthier Edward Dick of Victor Guitars, learning basic repair methods and also auditing a steel string guitar class.
Red Sands Ukuleles is located in the heart of the Maritimes, on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Heidi’s path has taken her in a direction of building instruments with sustainable materials that can be gathered locally, thereby reducing the impact on our precious environment. Her ukuleles and classical guitars are handcrafted using maple, birch and spruce.
Heidi and Robbie O’Brien have just completed filming an online ukulele building course due to be released in the fall of 2017. It can be found at www.obrienguitars.com/courses/. She is also presently working on detailed ukulele plans and an instructional book. Clinton, PEI. #VIGF_2017.
MACPHERSON GUITARS
Dan MacPherson, Luthier
www.macphersonguitars.com
After 20 years as a professional Luthier, making custom instruments and working as a “ghost builder” for many other Luthiers and guitar brand owners throughout Europe, Dan MacPherson decided it was time to launch his own range of guitars. Introduced as ‘MacPherson Guitars’ in 2010 these instruments underline Dan’s reputation for producing optimum, high-quality, hand-made instruments. Offering a selection of models, the current range of production instruments should appeal to every player and style. MacPherson Guitars also offers a true custom service where you can have your unique handmade instrument crafted to your own design specifications. MacPherson Guitars relocated to Penticton, British Columbia in May 2016. #VIGF_2017, #VIGF_2018.
LINDA MANZER, CANADA
www.manzer.com
Linda Manzer has been designing and building world-class flattop and archtop acoustic guitars since 1974. She studied with master luthiers Jean Claude Larrivee and the late James D’Aquisto. Linda is credited with many cutting-edge innovations including, in 1984, the “Wedge”, an ergonomic tapered guitar body shape originally designed for the renowned 42-stringed Pikasso Guitar. Many discerning musicians play her instruments, including Bruce Cockburn, Paul Simon, Carlos Santana, and Julian Lage.
Her guitars have been displayed in the Smithsonian, Washington D.C., the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Museum of Civilization, Ottawa, Canada. Toronto, Ontario. #VGIF_2017, #LCGF_2018.
MCNAMEE GUITARS, CANADA
John McNamee, Luthier
www.johnmcnamee.ca
John McNamee is a self-employed luthier of acoustic guitars, baritones and basses. He graduated from the Douglas College string instrument building course in 1986 under the instruction of Michael Dunn. John has built a variety of over 70 instruments over the years, and is also a songwriter and musician. Nice photos on website. Vancouver, BC. #VIGF_2018.
LUIS ALBERTO FEU DE MESQUITA
http://www.lfdmguitars.ca/
Luis hand makes mostly nylon string guitars: Spanish, Macaferri and Jazz, as well as baroque and ukuleles. Located in Ajax, Ontario, Canada. #MGS-2011.
MILLIMETRIC INSTRUMENTS, CANADA
www.millimetric.ca
Millimetric Instruments offers hand-made, moder, custom guitars with original shapes and designs. Florian, Millimetrics founder, is a self-taught guitar maker based in Montréal, Québec. He graduated from École d’ébénisterie d’art de Montréal in 2011 and his inspiration is deeply rooted in industrial design, architecture and Scandinavian furniture design. He takes great pride in creating simple and efficient products ranging from guitars to basses using sustainable Canadian Maple and Walnut tone woods, milk paints and Livos oil finishes. Montreal, PQ. #VIGF_2017.
FRITZ MUELLER
http://www.classicalguitars.ca/
Classical guitars, specializes in double-tops. Tatlayoko Lake, British Columbia.
MURFITT GUITARS, CANADA
Warren Murfitt, Luthier
www.warrenmurfitt.com
I am a musician with a passion for anything in wood, building and playing the guitar. I have worked as a treeplanter, carpenter, cabinet builder , artist and musician. What started out as a desire to build one tiny little Parlor guitar in the back room of my studio workshop, quickly took over my whole space, not to mention my life. Guitar parts and sawdust everywhere, washed down with a good dose of country music. I’m in heaven! Vancouver, BC. #VIGF_2017, #VIGF_2018.
NEZIL GUITARS, CANADA
Andrew Nezil, Luthier
nezilguitars.com
Andy Nezil learned classical and acoustic guitar construction from luthier Michael Dunn and apprenticed at the Larrivee guitar factory in North Vancouver, B.C. Nezil has specialized in the building of custom New York style archtop guitars since 2006. Victoria, BC. #VIGF_2017.
NORTHWOOD GUITARS, CANADA
John McQuarrie, Luthier
www.northwoodguitars.com
John McQuarrie’s love of guitars began in the 1970’s when he began taking Royal Conservatory lessons. This early instruction led to rock bands and his first electric builds in high school woodshop class in the 1980’s. After a seven-year tenure with Jean Larrivee, John branched out on his own in the mid 90’s and began Northwood Guitars in the Vancouver area. With a growing family, John moved the operation to Sorrento in British Columbia’s Shuswap region in 2006, where he continues to build world class instruments. Sorrento, BC. #VIGF_2017.
LAWRENCE NYBERG, CANADA
Lawrence Nyberg , Luthier
www.nyberginstruments.com
Since 1989 Lawrence has been building fine instruments. Touching on old boundaries in design and forging some new ones, he has made a name for himself as a guitar maker and as a noted mandolin family builder. His Irish Bouzoukis, citterns and Octave-mandolins are known world-wide. His formative experiences were learning the ropes from specialist builder, Michael Dunn and then working for Larrivee guitars. He combines both those respective foundations to forge his own as an artist. Austere lines frame his work and elegant details appoint every design, such as a hand cast bronze tailpiece or signature tiled rosette. Lawrence focuses each instrument towards a balanced and responsive tone. Hornby Island, BC. #VGIF_2017, #VGIF_2018.
BENJAMIN PALDACCI GUITARS, CANADA
Benjamin Paldacci, Luthier
www.benjaminpaldacciguitars.com
I strive to build my instruments with the finest Tone, Ergonomics & Aesthetics. My objective is to build broad-sounding, responsive and lightweight guitars, which will in turn become the best “tool” for any musician who strives to shape his own sound. I take pride in saying that my instruments are a reflection of who I am, and I’m proud to show them to the world. Québec PQ. #VIGF_2018.
SHELLY PARK,
Shelly Park, Luthier
http://www.parkguitars.com/
Shelley’s craftsmanship and deep appreciation for the subtleties and qualities of fine wood, combined with her affinity for acoustic music led her naturally to a career in lutherie. Her love of the music of Django Reinhardt further focused her lutherie skills, constructing guitars based on the original designs of Mario Maccaferri and the Selmer Company of France. Shelley Park has now been building fine guitars in Vancouver, BC since 1991. Shelley also brings a wealth of listening and playing experience to her craft. She played rhythm guitar in the popular gypsy jazz ensemble Pearl Django for 6 years, and has had a long and intimate connection to the classic Selmer guitar sound. Shelley’s exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail are reflected in every instrument she builds. North Vancouver, BC. #VIGF_2017.
IAN PATTISON
http://pattisonstringedinstruments.com/
Hand sculpted, bent and carved stringed instruments. Located in Wellington County, Ontario, Canada.
POTVIN GUITARS, CANADA
www.potvinguitars.com
Mike Potvin has been designing and building custom electric guitars in his one-man shop since 2003. His designs have been featured in books and magazines, and are praised by players around the world for their balance, design aesthetics and build quality. Mike takes inspiration from class guitar designs, but is never bound by any “formula”. His unique designs feature a nod to the past, and more than a hint of Mike’s passion for the world of vintage sports cars. Ottawa, ON. #VIGF_2017.
PRESTIGE GUITARS, CANADA
www.prestigeguitars.com
From the start, Prestige set out to build guitars that are classic and timeless. From wood to components and all aspects of fit and finish, we maintain the utmost in quality. Now going into our 13th year, our award-winning line has rounded out to feature a full range of solid body and semi-hollow electrics, as well as hand carved acoustic guitars. Electric and Acoustic. North Vancouver, BC. #VIGF_2017, #VIGF_2018.
REILANDER CUSTOM GUITAR
reilandercustomguitar.com
As an amateur, Michael Reilander has been building solid body electric guitars and dabbling with electronics since 1996. Commercially, he has been producing and expanding his pickup recipes since 2006. Not happy with out of the box electronics, Michael set out on a never ending quest for tone. He has experimented with hundreds of different tone caps, pots, pickup combinations and active circuits. Michael finally decided to take a crack at making his own pickups, hoping to find the tonal characteristics that have been so elusive to him. Little did he know this obsession for tone would lead to his own line of pickups. BC. #VIGF_2017.
GEORGE RIZSANYI
http://www.rizsanyiguitars.com/
Custom builds mandolins, electric guitars, classical guitars and flamenco guitars in Bear River, Nova Scotia, Canada.
RUFUS ISLAND GUITAR SHOP
http://www.rufusguitars.com/
Specializes in Repair, Restoration & Sales of stringed instruments, including guitars, banjos, mandolins, violins, double bass and more. Parksville, Victoria Island, BC.
SANKEY GUITARS
Michael Sankey, Luthier
www.sankeyguitars.com
I’ve been building and repairing guitars for 17 years. Each one is crafted individually, slowly, by hand. I give my instruments names, not serial numbers, because every one is unique. I like to maintain a modern and functionalist aesthetic, showcasing the natural beauty of local woods. Was interviewed by the Luthierist pocast #155. Like many of the newer luthier websites, it has a modern look and feel to it, but if you dig deep enough, there is evidence in his older posts under the “What’s New” tab of the previous vibe. Ottawa, ON. #VIGF_2017.
MARC SAUMIER LUTHIER, CANADA
Marc Saumier, Luthier
www.marcsaumierluthier.com
Marc Saumier started building guitars in 1996, Today his line includes steel string, nylon strings, archtop, acoustic basses, ukeleles and unique instruments such as 12 string nylon string guitars that are mostly made from locally sourced wood. Focusing mainly on sound and playability, Saumier’s instruments feature a unique voice, good note separation and a wide dynamic range thanks to the unique and innovative bracing of his soundboards. Kingsbury, PQ. #VIGF_2017, #VIGF_2018.
DOUGLASS SCOTT
http://www.scottclassicalguitars.com/
Builds classical guitars exclusively and repairs and restores part-time in Victoria, BC, Canada.
SCHWARTZ GUITARS, CANADA
Sheldon Schwartz, Luthier
www.schwartzguitars.com
Steel string guitars designed and engineered for solo acoustic instrumental and fingerstyle music since 1992. Performed on by some of the world’s best players including Michael Chapdelaine, Erik Mongrain, Trevor Gordon Hall, Justin St-Pierre, Ali Deniz Kardelen, Donovan Raitt and Steve Davison. Toronto, ON. #VIGF_2018, #LCGF_2018.
SIGURDSON GUITARS, CANADA
Jeff Sigurdson, Luthier
www.sigurdsonguitars.com
Due to its effect on guitar tone, and its health effects, as of 2011 Jeff has abandoned the use of spray lacquers on all guitars and now French polishes every instrument that he builds. Currently, his focus is on building steel-string guitars that are inspired by the most sought after pre-war Martins; solid top classical guitars in the styles of Hermann Hauser, José Romanillos, and Daniel Friederich; composite-top guitars in the style of Matthias Dammann and Gernot Wagner; flamenco guitars that are heavily inspired by the work of Manuel Reyes; Dyer-style harp guitars; and student models of various guitars.
Abbotsford, BC. #VIGF_2017.
SOHN STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
David Sohn, Luthier
http://www.mandolinmaker.com/index.asp
Mandolins, arch top guitars, resophonic guitars, repair and restorations by David Sohn. Located in Abbotsford, BC, Canada.
SOTA MORI GUITARS, CANADA
Soti Mori, Luthier
www.sotamoriguitars.com
Sota Mori, a Japanese born Luthier and Guitar Maker was raised in Calgary, AB. Currently working as an instructor at the Summit School of Building and Repair, he builds custom handcrafted stringed instruments made In the remote Vancouver Island, BC. #VIGF_2018.
SOUNDS GOOD MUSIC (BRIAN’S WORKSHOP)
Brian Dubbeldam, Luthier
http://guitarfixer.ca
Brian Dubbeldam has been working with musical instruments for over 30 years. Formerly operating his business at Domenic’s Music and the Ottawa Folklore Centre, he now works out of his new shop at 151 Rochester street in Ottawa’s Chinatown.
STGUITARWORKS
http://www.stguitarworks.com/
Sean M Thompson designs and builds electrics, acoustics, archtops, multi-scales and extended-range instruments. As he has just (January 2018) started working at Lee Valley in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, he is scaling back his lutherie operations, but is still active.
SULDANNA GUITARS
http://guitars.suldanna.com/
Handmade electric guitars, basses, electronics and hand-wound pickups. Located in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada.
SUMMIT GUITARS, CANADA
Sigmund Johannessen, Luthier
www.luthiers-international.com
Sigmund Johannessen is a self taught Luthier. His career beginning in Norway, led him to Canada where he continued his path of Luthiery. He introduced the building program to Summit School of Guitar Building and Repair Inc. of which he is both Owner and Instructor. He has been building custom instruments for the past 25 years. Qualicum, BC. #VIGF_2018.
FE TELLIER GUITARS, CANADA
Fred Tellier, Luthier
www.fetellierguitars.com
Fred Tellier has been building acoustic guitars, Irish Bouzouki and ukuleles since 2005 from his shop in Windsor Ontario. He prides himself on being open to ideas from clients, and his goal is to create an instrument with sound, playability and finish that both the client and he can be proud of. Windsor ON. #VIGF_2018, #LCGF_2018.
TIMELESS INSTRUMENTS, CANADA
David Freeman, Luthier
www.timelessinstruments.com
David Freeman has custom-built string-fretted instruments since 1980, under the name Timeless Instruments. He also offers extensive lutherie training courses & luthier supplies. From re-sawing timber to intricate inlays, David draws on traditions with innovation in his research of new sound concepts. Since 1986, David has trained many present day luthiers, worldwide. It changed their life! Look, Play, Listen, OWN! Tugaske, Saskatchewan. #VIGF_2018.
TINKER/HALCYON GUITARS, CANADA
Ed Bond, Luthier
www.tinkerguitars.ca
Ed Bond has been making acoustic guitars since 1995, and has been a custom luthier since 2002. Each Tinker Guitar is built from solid woods in a climate-controlled workshop. Using no shell, Ed prefers to let the natural beauty of the wood speak for itself. He uses a combination of deflection and resonance testing to ensure that every guitar he builds is loud, full, lively and responsive. Vancouver, BC. #VIGF_2017, #VIGF_2018.
OTIS TOMAS
http://www.fiddletree.com/
St. Ann’s Bay on Cape Breton Island in Canada’s Nova Scotia.
TREEHOUSE GUITARS, CANADA
Zachary Lefebvre, Luthier
www.treehouseguitars.com
Zachary Lefebvre hails from the small town of Hilton Beach, Ontario. Having learned through courses and apprenticeships with world-renowned luthiers, Zach builds 6-7 guitars per year, allowing him to meticulously craft highly customized, world-class instruments that are maximally responsive with great playability; they are a feast for the ears, eyes and the hands. Real pretty website, and his instrument ornamentation is fabulous – even inside the guitar! Hilton Beach, Ontario. #VIGF_2017, #VIGF_2018.
TUNATONE INSTRUMENTS, CANADA
Leila Sidi, Luthier
www.tunatoneinstruments.com
Leila Sidi is inspired by the vintage futurism of mid-century electric guitars. She pays tribute to them while accommodating contemporary manufacturing techniques and materials. Conventional and original components generate fresh instruments with iconic tonal character and creative spark. Sidi applies an updated futuristic vision of her craft, conceiving of electric guitars ergonomically suited to musicians of any body type. Edmonton, Alberta. #VIGF_2018.
VECTOR INSTRUMENTS, CANADA
Nicholas Tipney, Luthier
http://www.vectorinstruments.com/
40 wooded acres, somewhere along Nova Scotia‘s Bay of Fundy shore.
VELLONE GUITARS, CANADA
Stefano Vellone, Luthier
http://www.velloneguitars.com/
Founded in 2013 in Montreal, Canada, guitar builder Stefano Vellone is one of the merging stars from Quebec’s vibrant luthier industry. Stefano apprenticed under Master Luthier Stephen Marchione, and is currently enjoying the mentorship of esteemed luthier Michel Pellerin. Montreal, Québec.#VIGF_2017.
VIGILANT GUITARS, CANADA
Trevor Woodland, Luthier
www.vigilantguitars.com
Trevor Woodland is the guitar builder behind Vigilant Guitars, a relatively new firm based out of Victoria, BC. Vigilant specializes in solid body electric guitars and basses using quality, ethically sourced, and environmentally friendly materials and finishing products. Vigilant thrives in working with artists to experiment and create boutique instruments using modern materials, designs and technologies. Victoria, BC. #VIGF_2018.
PEGGY WHITE GUITARS
http://www.peggywhite.ca/
Steelstring Flat top guitars. Almonte, Ontario. #LCGF_2018.
WILKIE STRINGED INSTRUMENTS, CANADA
Wyatt Wilkie, Luthier
www.wilkiestringedinstruments.com
Wyatt Wilkie began building instruments in 1999. He spent the following decade honing his skills in workshops on both sides of the Atlantic and, from 2007-2009, as apprentice and master craftsman to Bob Benedetto. Having hand-carved well over 100 jazz guitars and mandolins, Wilkie then set up shop permanently in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Wyatt is currently accepting students for his one-on-one archtop building master class.
Arch-top Guitars and Mandolins. There are some excellent photos of hand-carved backs and tops, and well as details of structural work (linings and necks) in the In-Progress section. He exhibited at the MGS in 2011 and 2012. Royston, Vancouver Island, BC. #VIGF_2017, #VIGF_2018, #MGS-2011. [Blog Entry.]
XAVER GUITARS
Gerry Gruber, Luthier
http://www.xaverguitars.ca/
Gerry Gruber specializes in steel-string acoustic guitars in Ottawa, Ontario.
YANUZIELLO STRINGED INSTRUMENTS, CANADA
Joseph Yanuziello, Luthier
www.yanuziello.com
Since 1979 Joseph Yanuziello has designed and introduced a wide variety of electric and acoustic stringed instruments. All are custom built one at a time in a small shop environment, including most of the unique hardware. To sum up the characteristics of all Yanuziello instruments, they are vintage inspired with modern functional playing attributes. Wainfleet Ontario. #ShopTour, #VIGF_2018.
Europe
THOMAS HOLT ANDREASEN
http://www.holtguitars.com/
Builds classical guitars in Granada, Spain.
ANDRIAN ANDREEV
http://www.art-violin.com/
Builds and restores violins, violas and cellos. Located in Kazanlak, Bulgaria.
MARTYN BAILEY
http://www.mjbl.co.uk/
Professionally trained restorer and maker of orchestral instruments (violins, violas, cellos and double bass) based in the South of England, many photos on web site.
EITAN BARTAL, ISRAEL
Eitan Bartal, Luthier
www.bartalguitars.com
Since 2009, Eitan has been working independently from his workshop in Tel Aviv, Israel. His main focus has been perfecting his art of making the highest quality traditional Flamenco and classical guitars, and developing modern models aimed at different accents for the modern fusion guitarists necessities. In addition, he has a number of custom designed modern instruments, including his version of the 5-string Archtop Benavent style Flamenco Bass and a 7-string Flamenco cutway. Eitan has built guitars for world renowned innovative musicians such as Flamenco Jazz prodigy Rycardo Moreno, Flamenco/Middle Eastern guitarist and composer Itamar Erez, and many more. Tel Aviv, Israel. #VIGF_2017.
PETE BEER GUITARS
http://www.petebeerguitars.com/
Classical guitar maker in the Forest of Dean (southwest England), Gloucestershire, England.
RALPH BONTE
http://www.arrenbieguitars.be/
Builder of electric, acoustic and archtop instruments. Located in Bruges, Belgium.
TOBIAS BRAUN
http://www.tobiasbraun-guitars.com/
Maker of classical, flamenco and steel-string guitars for more than 20 years now. Studied under José Luis Romanillos. Located in Gaaden bei Mödling, Austria (near Vienna).
PAOLO BUSATO
http://www.busatolutes.com/
Builds Renaissance and Baroque Lutes, Archlutes, Theorboes and Baroque Guitars in Padova, Italy.
STUART CHRISTIE
http://www.stuartchristieguitars.co.uk/
Maker of classical guitars, located in Hampshire, England
CLAREEN BANJOS
http://www.banjo.ie/home.php
Tom Cussen has been building banjos (and mandolins, now) for a number of years in Clarinbridge, Co Galway, Ireland.
CORILON VIOLINS
http://www.corilon.com/shop/index.do
Instrument dealer and restorer. Located in Munich, Germany.
CARLO DORIA
http://www.carlodoria.com/
Violins, viola, violoncello and contrabass. Located in Chiavari, Italy.
ELFERINK ARCHTOP GUITARS
http://www.elferinkguitars.com/
Netherlands.
FERN’S GUITARS
http://www.fernsguitars.nl/
Specialising in building guitars, lap steel guitars and Weissenborn guitars. Located in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
GRELLIER GUITARS
Christophe Grellier, Luthier
http://grellier.fr/en/downloads
[Blog Entry.]
He exhibited at the Montreal Guitar Show in 2011 (Acoustic, Archtop, Flatop, Electric, Weissenborn). I don’t recall meeting him, but he exhibited a gorgeous (“Kosmic Jazz”) archtop. His website includes free guitar plans, including a Gibson L-00, an OM size, and a nice 00 size (Parlour), as well as a soprano ukulele styled after a 1940’s Martin. Plans are in pdf format, as well as DXF. He uses LibreCAD to draw them. From Chaume-en-Retz, France. #MGS-2011.
GUITARREROS EN GRANADA
John Ray, Luthier
http://www.granadainfo.com/spanish/gitarer.htm
John Ray, originally from Alberta, now settled in Granada, Spain. His website includes a list of websites and/or email contacts of guitar makers in Granada. Editor of the book “La Escuela Granadina de Guitarreros” (“The Granada School of Guitar-Makers“) ISBN 978-84-7807-537-9.
HENNER HARDERS
http://www.violworks.com/pages/gb/home.html
A viol and violin maker in Germany. Susanne Küster carves some pretty amazing heads for his musical instruments, one is featured on the GAL 2003 calendar! Mansfeld/Putlitz Germany.
MARTIN HAYCOCK
http://www.martinhaycock.co.uk/
Builds lutes, archlutes, theorboes and early guitars. Located in East Dean, England.
NIK HUBER GUITARS, GERMANY
Nik Huber, Luthier
www.nikhuber-guitars.com
Nik Huber carries on a more than 100 year old family tradition. In 1896 a heritage of woodworking expertise was born to proud parent Nikolaus Huber in a small village in Southern Bavaria. Today Nikolaus Huber IV carries that expertise forward in the form of exquisite guitars. Nik Huber Guitars was founded in 1996. Since then, the company grew slowly but constantly. Today a team of five highly skilled specialists builds approximately 220 hand-crafted instruments a year, with help from a little CNC machine. Electrics. Rodgau, Germany. #VIGF_2018.
Patrick Hufschmid, Hufschmid Guitars, builds electric guitars in Aigle, Switzerland.
LIUTERIA D’INSIEME
Stefano Zanderighi and Marco Golinelli, Luthiers
http://www.liuteriadinsieme.it/
Marco Golinelli in collaboration with Luca Centrone and Stefano Zanderighi started in Milan, Italy.
DIRK JANSSEN
http://www.janssengitaarbouw.nl/
Building instruments for over 30 years. Located in Waalre, The Netherlands.
RICHARD JENNER
http://www.jennerinstruments.com/
Builds and restores a wide variety of musical instruments in Vienna, Austria.
HANS JOHANNSON
http://www.hansjohannsson.com/
Violin maker in Reykjavik, Iceland.
PEDER KÄLLMAN,
http://www.pederkallman.se/
Professional craftsmanship for professional needs. Totally handmade production of violins, violas, cellos and nyckelharpas. Göteborg (Gothenburg) Sweden.
CHRISTIAN KOEHN
http://www.koehnguitars.com/
Maker of fine Classical and Flamenco Guitars. Repairs and Restorations. Located in Berlin, Germany.
JAMES LISTER
http://jameslisterguitars.co.uk/
Classical guitars in Sheffield, England.
STUART MEWBURN
http://www.mewburnguitars.com/
Building guitars since 1972. London, England.
LEONARDO MICHELIN-SALOMON
http://www.lmsguitars.com/
Hand made classical guitars and electric guitars and basses. Oslo, Norway.
MOON GUITARS
Jimmy Moon, Luthier
http://www.moonguitars.co.uk/
Acoustic guitars, mandolin and mandolin family instruments. Based in Glasgow Scotland.
JULIAN MULLEN GUITARS
http://julianmullenguitars.co.uk
Repair work for local music stores as well as making custom order instruments. His website details the Danelectro resonator conversions (“Resodan”) that he carried out for Holiday music in London. There is also a gallery of recent custom made instruments. He is based in Reading, Berkshire, England.
MICHAEL P NALYSNYK
http://www.historicalguitars.co.uk/
Maker of baroque, romantic and modern classical guitars. Bradford, West Yorkshire, England.
OVERLOAD CUSTOM GUITARS AND BASSES, ITALY
www.overloadguitars.com
Custom guitars and basses made in Rome, Italy. #VIGF_2017.
PAGELLI GUITARS
Claudio and Claudia, Luthiers
http://www.pagelli.com/
Acoustic and electric guitars and electric basses. Located in Chur, Switzerland. #MGS-2011.
LUCA PICCIONI
http://www.lucapiccioni.com
Lute maker and player. Located in Assisi Perugia, Italy. Website is in Italian only.
TOBIAS PÖHLING
http://www.tobytimber.com/
Builds archtop jazz guitars and double basses and repair the same as well as other guitars and stringed instruments. Viersen, Germany. (website is in German only)
RAMOS GUITARS
Jose Ramos, Luthier
http://www.ramosguitars.com/
Builds, repairs and restores musical instruments in Barberà del Vallès, Barcelona, España.
JOHN RAYALLÈS, SPAIN
http://www.johnguitar.com/
Luthier from Granada, Spain. See also GUITARREROS EN GRANADA.
STEPHEN REES
http://www.reesguitars.co.uk/
Classical guitar maker based near Oxford, UK.
ROBERTO REGAZZI
http://www.regazzi.net/
Violin maker. Italy.
DAVID ANTONY REID.
http://www.darluthier.com/
[Blog Entry.]
Regular exhibitor at the Montreal Guitar Show. Was there in 2011. Vault-back guitars. London, England. #MGS-2011.
PABLO REQUENA
http://spanishguitar.org.uk/
Maker of flamenco guitars and classical guitars in the Spanish tradition. Located in Lewes, East Sussex, England.
ARTHUR ROBB
http://www.art-robb.co.uk/
Maker of late renaissance lutes in the U.K. Check out his site even if lutes don’t turn you on but environmental issues of interest to luthiers do. He has plans for various types of instrument, including one for an Octave Mandola. In the comments section, there is a note from “Wayne, from Newfoundland” who had built one. North Wiltshire, England.
RUOKANGAS GUITARS
http://www.ruokangas.com/
Has built custom electric guitars since 1995 in Finland. #MGS-2011.
MICHAEL SANDEN
https://www.sandenguitars.com/
Located in Tommarp, Sweden.
TOM SANDS GUITARS, UNITED KINGDOM
Tom Sands, Luthier
www.tomsandsguitars.com
Tom Sands builds some of the most responsive custom acoustic guitars available in the world today from his studio in North Yorkshire, England. #VIGF_2018.
STEPHEN SEDGWICK
http://www.stephensedgwick.co.uk/
Specializes in harp guitars and acoustic instruments. Located in Kent, England.
SEBASTIAN STENZEL
http://www.stenzel-guitars.de/
Classical guitar builder who lives in Munich, Germany.
STROMBERG GUITARS
http://www.strombergguitars.com/
Produces quality archtop guitars in Europe.
ANDY TOBIN
http://www.tobininstruments.co.uk/
Makes mandolins, mandolas, bouzoukis, citterns and guitars in Herefordshire, England.
RAFAL TURKOWIAK
http://www.rafalturkowiak.pl/
The queen of classical and flamenco guitars with unique features. Poland.
FARUK TURUNZ
http://www.oudmaster.com/
A site devoted entirely to the Oud. All you oud fans finally have a site. Suggestions and criticism are cordially welcome. Turkey.
DAVID VAN EDWARDS
http://www.vanedwards.co.uk/
Site totally devoted to lutes and their history. Offers 68 types of Lute. Norwich, Norfolk, England.
WILFRIED ULRICH
http://www.ulrich-instrumente.de/
Builds historical string instruments, Hurdy-Gurdy, Hummel, and make reconstructions of instruments from medieval miniatures. (website is in German) Norden, Germany.
ARTO WIKLA
http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/~wikla/mus/Calcs/wwwscalc.html
Lute maker. Program for calculating plain string tensions for lute, harpsichord, harp, etc. Finland. #Tools
ROGER A. WILLIAMS
http://www.rogerwilliamsguitars.com/
Builds, repairs, restores and does modifications in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England.
JAN ZONJEE
http://janzonjeegitaren.nl/
Making acoustic guitars with a character since 1998 in Amersfoort, Netherlands.
Australia
GLENN BIRD GUITARS
http://www.glennbirdguitars.com.au/
Custom hand made acoustic and electric guitars. Located in Corrimal, NSW, Australia.
SHANE BRIGGS GUITARS, AUSTRALIA
Shane Briggs, Luthier
www.shanebriggsguitars.com
Shane currently designs and crafts steel string guitars and harp guitars from his Melbourne workshop using tone woods from both hemispheres to create instruments that are highly responsive, incredibly playable and aesthetically refined. His works are influenced by the aesthetics of the world’s contemporary guitar making scene, modern finger style guitar music as well as his personal tastes as a guitar player. Shane builds 8-10 instruments per year and has exhibited at events including Port Fairy Folk Festival, Melbourne Guitar Makers Festival, Canberra’s National Folk Festival and the Holy Grail Guitar Show in Berlin. Melbourne, Australia. #VIGF_2017.
CALDERSMITH LUTHERIE
Graham Caldersmith, luthier.
https://www.grahamcaldersmith.com.au/
Australian lattice-style guitars, violins, violas, cellos. Located in Comboyne, NSW, Australia.
PETER COOMBS
Peter Coombs, luthier.
http://www.petercoombe.com/
Australian builder, mostly of Mandolins, but also Mandolas and Guitars. His website includes a good section on construction technique, as well as links to some articles on top-tuning and wood properties.
TREVOR GORE
http://www.goreguitars.com.au/
Builder of fine, custom classical and steel string concert guitars. Author of “Contemporary Acoustic Guitar, Design and Build”. Sydney, Australia.
SEAN HANCOCK
http://www.masterguitars.com/
Classical guitar maker from Mount Tamborine, Australia.
O’DONNELL GUITARS
http://odonnellguitars.com
Fine Quality Custom Handmade Guitars & Basses. Melbourne, Australia.
RIZZOLO GUITARS
Gary Rizzolo, Luthier
http://www.rizzologuitars.com/
In operation for over 25 years. Builds archtop, electric, acoustic and bass guitars in Melbourne, Australia.
ARTHUR ROBINSON
http://www.arthurrobinsonviolins.iinet.net.au/
Violin, viola, cello, modern and baroque, and other early bowed instruments. Chidlow, Western Australia.
ASHLEY SANDERS
http://www.ashleysandersguitars.com.au/
Builds lattice braced classical guitars in Port Elliot, South Australia.
LAWRENCE K. SMITH
http://www.smithguitars.com/
Guitar maker. Australia.
JACK SPIRA
http://www.jackspiraguitars.com/
Guitars, mandolins and bouzouki’s. Cocatoo, Australia.
SCOTT WISE
http://wiseukulele.com
Australian luthier who has been repairing instruments since 1973 and building them since 1978. Margaret River, Western Australia.
Other
AT GUITARS, JAPAN
Atsushi Takano, Luthier
www.atguitars.com
I started my guitar building at the Summit School of Building and Repair. After I graduated the school in 2003, I went back to my hometown and started my shop in 2005. Since then I build any kinds of guitars, such as Flattop acoustic, Archtop guitars, Electric guitars, classical guitars and ukuleles. The speciality is the Selmer-Maccaferri gypsy guitars. Japan. #VIGF_2018.
EDUARDO BRITO
http://www.ebluthier.com.br/
Luthier from Brazil. His website is in Portuguese at the moment, but will have a English version in the near future. Lots of great pictures.
FIDENCIO DIAZ
http://www.fidenciodiaz.com/
Classical Guitars, Flamenco & Requintos. Located in Canovanas, Puerto Rico. Website uses Adobe Flash.
JIMI GLENISTER
http://www.jglen.co.za/
Has made instruments in South Africa since 1975. Located in Cape Town, South Africa.
MR. GLYN‘S GUITAR REPAIR
http://www.mrglyn.co.nz/
Qualified luthier with 15 years experience. Specialising in repair of all fretted instruments. Located in Auckland, New Zealand.
NGOH THIAM MENG
http://ngohguitars.blogspot.com/
constructs classical & flamenco guitars in a private studio workshop. Located in Singapore.
ODYSSEY GUITAR CRAFT
Hideyuki Higuchi, Luthier
http://www.guitar-craft.com/
The GAL listing shows this URL as belonging to Tim Gonzales who builds and repairs guitars in Picayune, Mississippi, but now it seems to go to “Odyssey Guitar Craft”, with “Shop Master” Hideyuki Higuchi of Kobe City in Japan. There seem to be lots of photos of repair work on various guitars – Yamaha, Martin, Ovation. It looks very useful, especially the fret replace jobs.
GORDON PRITCHARD
http://www.gordonsguitarsite.com/
Builder of Classical and Flamenco Guitars. Located in Christiansted, US Virgin Islands.
Unknown
(nothing here right now…)
USA
CLAY ALDEN
http://www.aldenoriginals.com/Home.html
Builds Irish bouzoukis, mountain dulcimers, and lap steels. Located just outside of Nashville, TN
ALFIERI GUITARS
Don Alfieri, Luthier
http://ag2132.tripod.com/index-1.htm
Don Alfieri of Long Island, NY ~ Repairs and Restorations ~
ALLEN GUITARS.
http://www.allenguitar.com/
Guitars, mandolins, resophonic guitars, luthier supplies, cast tailpieces. Located in Colfax, CA, USA
AMERICAN ARCHTOP GUITARS
Dale Unger, Tyler Unger, Luthiers
http://www.americanarchtop.com/
World class handmade custom Archtop and Electric Guitars by Dale Unger and his son Tyler in Nazareth, Pa. Also home of Unger Electric Guitars, and the “Nazareth Guitar Insititute” – their lutherie school.
ANDERSON STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
Steve Andersen, Luthier
http://www.andersenguitars.com/
Archtop guitars. Seattle, Washington. #LCGF_2018.
AUTOHARP WORKS
Bob Lewis, Harp Luthier
http://www.autoharpworks.com/
Dedicated to the advancement and interest of the autoharp. Six Mile, SC.
KENT A. BAILEY
http://www.kabart.com/
Master carver with 30+ yrs exp. Specializing in decorative carving on instruments, also builds custom guitars. Located in Woodland Park, Colorado.
ALBEY BALGOCHIAN
http://abasses.com/
Electric basses made by a bass player. Manhatten, New York.
BARANIK GUITARS
Mike Baranik, Luthier
http://www.baranikguitars.com/ – website uses Flash.
Steelstring Flat top Guitars. Templeton, California. #LCGF_2018.
WILLIAM BARTRUFF
http://www.bartruff.com/
Maker of fine violins, violas and cellos since 1972 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His website includes the Reader’s Digest form of “How to Make a Violin”!!!
THOMAS BELTRAN
http://www.beltranguitars.com/
Classical guitar maker located in Los Angeles, California. (wdm – he has an extensive link list, might be worth mining***)
BENEDETTO GUITARS
http://benedettoguitars.com/
Archtop guitars since 1968. Currently completely handmade in Savannah, Georgia.
BENT TWIG GUITARS
Dave Boulware & Brady Turk , Luthiers
https://www.benttwigguitars.com/
Steelstring Flat Top Guitars. Libby, Montana. #LCGF_2018.
BIG D GUITARS
Derek Lenard, Luthier
http://www.bigdguitars.com/
A small shop specializing in Varitone Switches for guitar or bass, and hand made custom guitars. Run by Derek Lenard. USA?
BIG HOLLOW GUITARS
Bevan Frost, Luthier
http://www.bighollowguitars.com/
Custom building instruments and doing repair for 6 years in Laramie, WY.
BIRDSONG GUITARS
Scott Beckwith, Luthier
http://www.birdsongguitars.com/
We hand build pro quality short scale electric basses and guitars. Wimberley, Texas.
BISCHOFF‘S GUITARS
Gordy Bischoff, Luthier
http://www.bischoffguitars.com/
Eau Claire, Wisconsin. #MGS-2011.
EBLISS GUITARS AND REPAIRS
http://www.mbryanguitars.com/
Amateur Luthier I met and corresponded with a bit on the Coursera Forums for Introduction to Music Production course.
“Retired family physician, luthier, photographer, love tools,equipment and fixing stuff. Have recorded the guitars I built and fiddled with cubase artist 7, have run sound at church, have run video too. Play guitar, sing mostly folk and blues and play harmonica. I love the guitars I build (naturally). I think I might have a good ear for sound reinforcement since I understand I think what guitars should sound like and what voices should sound like.”
KEN BLOUNT
http://kenblount.com/
Builds, repairs and restores musical instruments in Sebring, Florida.
STEVE BOEH
http://www.boehmandolins.com/
Handcrafted F and A style mandolins, St. Paul Minnesota
JS BOGDANOVICH
http://www.jsbguitars.com/
Classic guitar builder located in Swannanoa, North Carolina. Offers building lessons and has tutorial material online. Author of “Classical Guitar Making: A Modern Approach to a Traditional Design”. Has an online shop, with plans, templates, molds, kits, tools and workboards. He has a really good video on making radiused workboards in his Instruction/Learn Techniques area. He has some more videos available to ‘members’ – membership is free. #Technique.
PAUL BORDEAUX
http://www.bordeauxinlay.com/
Handcrafted inlay…as seen on the world’s finest guitars. Located in Massena, NY.
DANA BOURGEOIS
http://www.bourgeoisguitars.com/
Acoustic guitars. Located in Lewiston, Maine.
BOSWELL GUITARS
Butch Boswell, Luthier
https://boswellguitars.com/
Steelstring Flat Top Guitars. Bend, Oregon. #LCGF_2018.
BOYLES GUITAR
https://www.boylesguitars.com/
Repairs, refinish, restoration and custom builds. Located in Jackson, Georgia.
GREG BRANDT
http://www.gregbrandtguitars.com/
Has been building for almost 30 years specializing in nylon string instruments. Los Angeles (North Hollywood), CA, USA
JACK BRIGGS
http://briggsguitars.com/
Maker of handmade electric guitars. Raleigh, NC.
BRIGHT GUITARS
Will Bright, Luthier
www.BrightGuitars.com
Will Bright has been building and repairing guitars since 2001. Will brings to his craft 20 years experience in guitar repair, design and construction, and nearly 30 years playing guitar and bass. This unique combination as player, builder, and repair person gives Will a special understanding and appreciation for the guitar as both a functional tool and a work of art. Will’s mission as a luthier is to create instruments that are unique, useful and beautiful. He strives to bring something new to the table that will become part of the permanent guitar landscape over time. Bellingham, Washington. #VIGF_2018 #LCGF_2018.
BROWN GUITARS, USA
Tad Brown, Luthier
http://brown.guitars
Tad R Brown is an American craftsman from California who has been involved in music, art, woodworking, and guitars for over 30 years. Focusing primarily on handmade acoustic archtop guitars, each instrument is specially designed and built to be lightweight and acoustically responsive, with exceptional attention to quality, tone, and playability, producing a wide dynamic range of rich tonal resonance. Laguna, CA. #ShopTour, #VIGF_2018.
R. E. BRUNÉ
http://www.rebrune.com/
His new website. Quality Classical Guitars and other new and historic instruments. Still under construction, he invites you to much interesting information and a tour of his Museum, Showroom, and his (much-too-orderly!) workshop. Located in Evanston, IL
JOHN CALKIN
http://www.jcalkinguitars.net/index.html
Building and repairing instruments for over 30 years. Located in Greenville, Virginia. #Technique.
Some interesting pages on John Calkin’s website;
- a very simple side bender for mandolins on his Building Instruments page,
- his Outlaw Lutherie page, featuring simple-to-build electric Ukes, Banjos, and Lap Steels.
MICHAEL E. CARROLL
http://www.carrollguitars.net/
Builder of traditional fine handcrafted acoustic guitars. Mesa, Arizona.
ALAN CARRUTH
http://www.alcarruthluthier.com/
The webpage of Al Carruth. wdm – I met him once at a local guitar show – probably in Montreal. He was showing a very nice 12-string. The website includes his Tool of the Month blog (mostly invented tools, but check out his “Super Scraper” from June of 2000). In Newport, New Hampshire, in the Mt. Sunapee area northwest of Concord and southeast of Hanover. #MGS-2011, #Tools.
CATON GUITARS, USA
Kevin Caton, Luthier
www.catonguitars.com
Kevin has been building and repairing stringed instruments for nearly 20 years. He studied guitar building at the Roberto -Venn School of Luthiery. Chicago, IL. #VIGF_2018, #LCGF_2018.
CHARIS ACOUSTIC
Bill Wise, Luthier
http://www.charisacoustic.com/
Bay City MI, USA.
CHICAGO FRET WORKS
Dan Wolf , Steve Baker, Luthiers
http://www.chicagofretworks.com/
Dan Wolf and Steve Baker have worked together since 2000, serving Chicago’s musician community and performing every guitar repair imaginable. Located in Chicago, Illinois.
KEVIN CHUBBUCK
http://www.chubbuckguitars.com/
Artisan of fine steel string and archtop guitars of both acoustic and electric variations. His homepage has a real cool ?3D model? ?video? of a rotating, real shiny, archtop electric. Located in Marblehead, Massachusetts.
CLOVERLICK BANJOS
http://www.cloverlickbanjoshop.com/Home
Focus is exclusively building open back clawhammer banjos with brass hardware. Located in Fort Collins, CO.
CONEY ISLAND GUITARS
http://www.sgd-lutherie.com/
A one-man shop – build custom basses and guitars, as well as a full range of repair and restoration work, including custom wound pickups, and a pickup rewind service. Located in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn NY.
STEVE CONNOR
http://www.connorguitars.com/
Building since 1994 and builds 12-15 custom classical and flamenco guitars a year out of his shop on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
RON COOK STUDIOS
http://www.roncookstudios.com/
Since 1972, maker of Early American and medieval European instruments and sound sculptures. Master Member of the Baulines Craft Guild. California.
CURLY CREEK GUITARS
John Carrigan, Luthier
http://www.curlycreekguitars.com/
Steelstring Flat top Guitars. Port Orchard, Washington. #LCGF_2018.
DARKWOOD MUSIC
http://www.darkwoodmusic.com/
Designing and handcrafting fiddles and basses for bluegrass, country and folk musicians since 1984. Located in Charlotte Harbor, Florida USA.
J. THOMAS DAVIS
http://www.jthomasdavis.com/
Archtops, classical, steel string, Irish citterns and bouzouki’s. Columbus, Ohio.
BRIAN W. DAW VIOLINS
http://www.dawviolins.com/index.html
Building and repairing instruments since 1990 in Monmouth, IL.
GUITARMASTERWORKS (JOHN A. DECKER, JR.)
http://www.guitarmasterworks.com/
Founder of RainSong Graphite Guitars, aeronautical engineer (B.Sc. & Aeronautical Engineering Professional Degree from MIT) and a physicist (Ph.D. in plasma physics from Cambridge University), and inventor of the modern carbon-fiber/epoxy acoustic guitar, now specializes in classical guitars made from exotic woods. His “Shop Tour” shows a guitar build from start to finish, and demonstrates both ‘standard’ build processes and his unique laminated no-brace top design. He builds in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii. #LCGF_2018.
MANUEL A. DELGADO
http://www.delgadoguitars.com/
Manuel and his family have been building handmade guitars since 1928, in Nashville, Tennessee.
ROBERT DESMOND
http://www.desmondguitars.com/index.shtml
Classical guitar maker. Orlando, FL
RICH DICARLO
http://www.dicarloguitars.com/
Builds classical, 7 & 8 string flamenco and nylon jazz guitars in Richmond, New Hampshire.
LEROY DOUGLAS VIOLINS
http://www.leroydouglasviolins.com/
Builds concert quality violins in the classic Italian tradition in Eugene, Oregon.
JOE DRAGONY GUITARS
Joe Dragony, Luthier
http://www.joedragony.com/
Archtop, Flat top, & Electric Guitars. Carmichael, California. #LCGF_2018.
DAVID DUBOIS
http://duboisguitars.com/index.htm
Builds steel string guitars in Antrim, New Hampshire.
BARRY DUDLEY
http://www.barrydudley.com/
Builds classical guitars and violins in Atlanta, Georgia.
MICHAEL DUNN, LUTHIER
http://www.michaeldunnguitars.com/
Michael makes Maccaferri and Selmer type guitars. These are contemporary renditions of the 1930 models. He also builds Weissenborn style Hawaiian guitars. 35 years experience. Site uses Flash. USA?
EDWARDS FINE INSTRUMENTS
http://www.edwardsfineinstruments.com/
Classical guitar maker and seller of fine handmade classical and flamenco guitars from other makers. Dyke, Virginia.
JEFF ELLIOTT
http://www.elliottguitars.com/
Guitar builder, teacher and Guild author. Portland, Oregon.
TRI EVANS CUSTOM INLAY
http://www.trievans.com/
A one man inlay shop. Located in Hockley (Houston?), Texas.
KENT EVERETT, EVERETT GUITARS
http://www.everettguitars.com/
High end acoustic guitars, mandolins and luthiery instruction. Located 1 hour north of Atlanta in Georgia.
JAMES FEGLEY VIOLIN SHOP
http://fegleyviolin.com/
Sells violins and does repairs as well. Reading, PA
DOW FERGUSON
http://www.thelutherie.net/
Repair shop, he also offers student instrument rentals, as well as a full online store of string instruments, cases, bags, parts, kits, accessories, and strings. Belton, Texas.
FERNANDEZ MUSIC
http://www.fernandezmusic.com/
Spanish classical, flamenco and Portuguese guitars, repairs and imports. French polishing and guitarmaking DVDs, Fustero tuners, latin ethnic fretted instruments (portuguese guitarras, requinto, charango, tres cubano). Anacortes, Washington.
FLEISHMAN INSTRUMENTS
Harry Fleishman, Luthier
http://www.fleishmaninstruments.com/
Teacher, builder, designer extraordinaire. Played with the Mugwumps, the Drifters, the Soul Brothers and other soul bands. Has designed instruments for Fender Musical Instrument Corp, Jackson Guitars, Akai Musical Instrument Corporation, and most recently Avian Guitars, Bedell Guitars, and Breedlove Guitars. Located somewhere in the USA.
FORBIDDEN FRUIT GUITARS
Paul Norman, Renaissance Man
http://www.forbiddenguitars.com/
12-string resonator guitars. A good friend to Al Carruth. Cambridge MA.
CHARLES FOX
http://www.charlesfoxguitars.com/
Building guitars for over 35 years and has been a longtime author and contributor to the Guild. The inventor of the Fox Side Bender. Uses Adobe Flash. Portland, Oregon. #LCGF_2018.
TIM FRICK GUITARS
http://timfrickguitars.com/
Archtop Guitars. San Franciso, California. #LCGF_2018.
GAIERO GUITARS, USA
Mark Gaiero, Luthier
www.gaieroguitars.com
Mark Gaiero builds steel string acoustic guitars in Oakland, California. He applies contemporary principles and traditional craftsmanship to create highly responsive instruments made from non-endangered woods. Mark draws on 10 years of experience designing and building stop-motion puppet armatures at Laika in Portland, Oregon. He learned guitar repair from Ryan Lynn at Eastside Guitar Repair and has worked as an apprentice to Ervin Somogyi since 2016. Oakland, California. #VGIF_2018.
GALLOUP GUITARS
Bryan Galloup, Luthier
http://www.galloupguitars.com/
Steelstring Flat top & Archtop Guitars. Big Rapids, Michigan. #LCGF_2018.
STEVE GANZ
http://www.ganzguitars.com/
Classical guitar builder in Bellingham (Blaine?), Washington.
MARK GEIGER
http://www.geigerguitars.com/
Building electric and acoustic instruments in Rowland Heights, California since 1975.
GREG GERMAN
http://www.germanguitars.com/
Denver archtop builder with a great website. Broomfield, CO. #LCGF_2018.
BOB GERNANDT
http://www.gernandt.com/
Builds guitars, irish bouzouki’s, citterns,mandolins and mountain dulcimers in Bryson City, North Carolina.
DAVID GOLBER
http://www.dgviolins.com/
Makes and repairs violin-family instruments, with a specialty in Hardanger fiddles. Near Boston, MA.
ROB GOLDBERG HANDMADE GUITARS
http://robgoldberghandmadeguitars.com/
Steelstring Flat top Guitars, Violins & Cellos. Haines, Alaska. #LCGF_2018.
BOB GRAMANN
http://www.bobgramann.com/guitar.htm
Guitar builder and folksinger. Fredericksburg, VA
AARON GREEN
http://www.aarongreenguitars.com/
Classical and flamenco builder from Waltham, Massachusetts.
GRIMES GUITARS
Steve Grimes, Luthier
http://www.grimesguitars.com/
The art of the archtop. Mandolins an Ukes too. Kula, HI (Hawaii), USA.
GRYPHON STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
Frank Ford, Carol McComb, Luthiers
http://www.gryphonstrings.com/
One of two sites maintained by Frank Ford. The other is Frets.com. Palo Alto, CA.
SAM GUIDRY GUITARS
http://www.samguidryguitars.com/
Steelstring Flatops & Classical Guitars. Big Rapids, Michigan. #LCGF_2018.
THE GUITAR SPECIALIST
Doug Proper, Luthier
http://www.guitarspecialist.com/
Goldens Bridge, NY.
DAVID GUSSET
http://www.gussetviolins.com/
Maker, Restorer, Dealer & Appraiser. Violins, Violas, Violoncellos & Bows. Located in Eugene, Oregon.
HALLAND GUITARS
Gage Halland, Luthier
https://www.hallandguitars.com/
Steelstring Flatop Guitars. Portland, Oregon. #LCGF_2018.
HAMMOND ASHLEY VIOLINS
http://www.hammondashley.com/index.html
Committed to providing adjustments, setups, restorations and repair work of the highest quality at competitive prices, in Seattle WA and San Diego, CA.
J.T. HARGREAVES
http://www.jthbass.com/
Bass Guitars. Des Moines WA.
HAXTON STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
David Haxton, Luthier
http://www.dhaxtonguitars.com/
Steelstring Flat top Guitars. Seattle, Washington. #LCGF_2018.
HERRON GUITARS
http://www.herronguitars.com/
Santa Barbara. Maker of custom steel string and nylon string guitars.
KEN HODGES
http://www.hodgesguitars.com/
Builds guitars, both steel string, flamenco, and classical nylon stringed instruments in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
GENERAL JOHN T. HONEYCUTT
http://www.karlwinkler.com/Honeycutt.html
Built 63 violins after retiring from the Army. Learn more about his legacy on his website. USA.
IRVIN GUITARS
Wayne Irvin Johnson, Luthier
www.irvinguitars.com
Building one-of-a-kind, masterfully crafted, amazing sounding, acoustic guitars has been a life-long passion for Wayne Irvin Johnson. Having played guitar since he was 6, Wayne has developed an ear that really helps him voice a guitar that is rich, deep, wonderfully balanced, with sustain that seems to just hang in the air. He met James Olson in 1995 and was smitten with the idea of building guitars. Years later he attended Sergei de Jonge’s school of lutherie. From there, he went on to build his own line of custom steel string guitars. Wayne has been married to Julie for 32 years, together they have 4 adult children. Bremerton, WA. #ShopTour, #VIGF_2018, #LCGF_2018.
JAMES ISLAND (FORMERLY JAMES CURTIS)
http://www.jamesisland.blue/Home.html
Builder and repairer for 17 years, specializing in mandolin, guitar and ukulele family instruments. wdm – this guy does some real wacky and cool stuff – see his timelapse video of making a couple of strumsticks, and of gilding an entire mandolin. Located in Port Townsend, WA.
ISAAC JANG GUITARS
https://www.isaacjangguitars.com/
Steelstring Flat top Guitars. Interviewed in a “Luthier on Luthier” podcast (March 2018). Los Angeles, California. #LCGF_2018.
JAYEMAR GUITARS, USA
Jason Rodgers, Luthier
www.jayemarguitars.com
Jason M. Rodgers is sole proprietor and craftsman of Jayemar Guitars (J.M.R. “Jay-em-ar”). Each guitar is built in his small home shop in Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA using only local and domestic woods. Jason specializes in multi-scale 6-, 7-, and 8-string guitars, and a variety of custom pickups wound in-house come standard on every instrument. Electric guitars. Podcaster of The Luthierist podcast. Lake Oswego, Oregon. #VIGF_2018, #TheLuthieristPodcast.
JBH GUITARS
Josh B. Humphrey, Luthier
http://www.jbhguitars.com/
Builds guitars, ouds, ukuleles, mandolins, bouzoukis and octave mandolins. Ellensburg, WA. #LCGF_2018.
JOHN JORDAN
http://www.jordanmusic.com/
Maker of Jordan Electric Violins and other stringed instruments. Concord, CA
JW GUITAR RESTORATIONS
http://www.jwrestoration.com/
Build custom guitars in addition to repairing and restoring vintage instruments. (Outside of) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
KAUER GUITARS, INC., USA
Doug Kauer, Luthier
www.kauerguitars.com
“I’m Doug Kauer. I have a beard and an impressive flannel shirt collection. I also wear glasses. That makes me a 105% qualified luthier.” Their motto seems to be “Crafted by Bearded Ninjas”. Electric guitars. Elk Grove, CA. #VIGF_2017, #VIGF_2018.
KEEFER ARCHTOP GUITARS
Dennis Keefer, Luthier
http://www.keeferarchtops.com/
Unique archtop guitars handcrafted one-at-a-time using all solid tonewoods and bindings. Located in Fernandina Beach, Florida.
MICHAEL KELLER
http://www.kellerguitar.com/
Began building guitars in 1975 and is located in Rochester, Minnesota. (website uses Flash)
DAVE KEELEY
http://www.davekeeley.com/
Builds acoustic and electric guitars, electric basses, mandolins and violins. Located in Kettle Falls, Washington.
DAVID KING
http://www.kingbass.com/index.html
Builds custom headless 4, 5, 6, and 7 string electric bass guitars in Portland, Oregon.
STEVE KINNAIRD
http://www.stephenkinnaird.com/
Builds steel strings, nylon string cross-overs, and electric guitars in his Nacogdoches, Texas shop. #LCGF_2018.
KLEIN & KAUFFMAN GUITARS
Steve Klein & Steve Kauffman, Luthiers.
http://www.kleincommunity.com/
Innovative Designs. Vineburg, California – Eugene, Oregon. #LCGF_2018.
KMS GUITARS
Chris Lott, Luthier
http://www.ksmguitars.net/
Custom hand-built guitars and patented bass and guitar bridges. Located in Logan, Utah.
KO’OLAU GUITAR AND UKULELE COMPANY
John Kitakis, Luthier
http://www.koolauukulele.com/
Located in Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii.
SAUL KOLL
http://www.kollguitars.com/
Archtops, electric guitars & basses. A true innovator. Portland, Oregon. #MGS-2011.
JASON KOSTAL, USA
Jason Kostal, Luthier
www.kostalguitars.com
The guitars that I build today are a culmination of over 30 years of playing and performing experience as a fingerstyle guitarist coupled with a desire to make the best possible guitar that I am capable of. I pair this with the knowledge and teachings imparted on me by three distinctly different mentors, some amazing luthiers that helped me along the way, my own teaching experience, and my own ideas. His website opens with a full-size video stream. Queen Creek, AZ. #VIGF_2017.
LANCE KRAGENBRINK
http://kragenbrinkguitars.com/
Steel string builder in Jackson, Michigan.
RANDALL KRAMER GUITARS
Randall ‘Sparky’ Kramer, Luthier.
https://randallkramerguitars.com/
Steelstring Flat Top Guitars. Truckee, California. #LCGF_2018.
LAME HORSE INSTRUMENTS
Chris and Jeremy Jenkins, Luthiers
https://lamehorse.net/
Chris is a guitar builder who still practices verterinarian medicine. A man of more than one talent. Jeremy is his son. Interviewed on the Fretboard Journal’s Luthier on Luthier Podcast, episodes 10 and 11. Mansfield, TX. #MGS-2011, #LCGF_2018.
DEAN E. LAPINEL
http://lapinelarts.com/
Builds violins and violas and just started making guitars. Located in Boise, Idaho.
BERNIE LEHMANN
http://www.lehmannstrings.com/
Building guitars and more professionally since 1972. Located in Rochester, New York.
DON LEISTER
http://www.donleister.com/
Violinmaker in Richmond, Virginia.
LICHTY GUITARS
Jay Lichty, Luthier
http://lichtyguitars.com/
Builds custom acoustic guitars and ukuleles and teaches one-on-one and small group workshops throughout the year. Tryon, NC, USA.
HONEST RON’S GUITARS
Ron Lira, Luthier
http://www.honestronsguitars.com/
Custom built guitars, refinish, amp repairs, parts. Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
LEX LUTHIER, EVIL GENIUS
http://lexluthierevilgenius.wordpress.com/
(mandolin, mandola, and mandocello construction). Another Luthier blog. Woodbury, NJ
LIVING TREE MUSIC
Nowell Siegel, Luthier
http://www.livingtreemusic.com/
Custom instruments, specializing in acoustics’s, restoration and repair of Vintage musical instruments. Now that’s a cool rosette (and trailer…!!). Located in the middle of the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles, CA.
DALE LUDEWIG
http://www.ludewigmandolins.com/
Builds mandolins and mandolas and will be adding guitars to his list soon, located in DeKalb, Illinois.
M-TONE GUITARS, USA
Matt Proctor, Luthier
www.m-tone.com
Matt Proctor is a guitar maker, sculptor and musician who has been building M-tone guitars since 2009. His art-filled studio is located in the heart of Portland, Oregon. Every M-tone guitar is one-of-a kind and meticulously hand made from rough milling of the wood to final setup. These instruments are defined by innovative shapes, finishes and materials. Matt draws on many techniques he originally developed for his cast metal sculpture, frequently incorporating acid-etched and patinated steel, brass, and aluminum components. M-tone guitars are known for their seductive hand-carved necks, impeccable fretwork, and unusual finishes. Portland Oregon. #VIGF_2017, #VIGF_2018.
DAVE MAIZE
http://www.maizeguitars.com/
Acoustic steel string guitar and basses from Talent, Oregon.
THOMAS MALAPANIS
http://www.malapanis.com/
Builder of fine classical guitars. Palmer, Alaska.
MANDOAIKI
http://www.mandoaiki.com/
Aikido-based guitar and mandolin repair, custom mandolin and guitars. Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
BEN MANNING
http://www.yourmando.com/
Builds slope-D guitars, a Larson-style parlor guitar, and the John Duffey inspired “Duck” mandolin in Red Wing, MN.
MANUEL & PATTERSON GUITAR MAKERS
Joe Manuel & Phil Patterson, Luthiers
http://www.mpguitar.com/
Also answers to the name Abita Springs Guitar Company, LLC, with the URL http://www.abitaguitar.com/. Makers of high quality acoustic guitars, located in Abita Springs, Louisiana.
MAP GUITARS, USA
Mike Peterson, Luthier
www.MAPguitars.com
Mike Peterson, of MAP Guitars, builds beautiful things that make beautiful sounds. MAP Guitars are crafted in Livermore, home of California’s “other wine country”, using both high tech and traditional methods. Mike brings out the best of what the woods have to offer, with unique designs and an emphasis on their natural beauty. Livermore, CA. #VIGF_2018.
MARCHIONE GUITARS
Stephen Marchione, Luthier.
http://marchione.com/lutherie/
Archtop, Flat top, & Classical Guitars. Houston, Texas. #Technique, #LCGF_2018.
DEY MARTIN GUITARS
http://deymartinguitars.com/
Builder of custom handmade acoustic guitars and ukuleles that are inspired by tradition, using only the finest sustainably sourced and reclaimed materials available. Since 2011. Palm Springs, and San Diego, California.
KATHY MATSUSHITA
http://theamateurluthier.com/
A great site for anyone thinking about jumping into building instruments! Good reading: a MUST see, lots of jigs and tools. I’m not sure, but I suspect she is somewhere in the USA. #Technique, #Tools, #Jigs.
McALISTER GUITARS
Roy McAlister, Luthier.
http://mcalisterguitars.com/
Steelstring Flat top Guitars. Gig Harbor, Washington. #LCGF_2018.
RIC MCCURDY
http://www.mccurdyguitars.com/
Building guitars for 25 years. Located in New York, New York.
BRENT MCELROY
http://mcelroyguitars.com/
Building guitars for over 10 years. His website has a very nice “making of” that you should check out. Seattle, Washington. #MGS-2011, #LCGF_2018, #Technique.
MCKNIGHT GUITARS
Tim McKnight, Luthier
http://www.mcknightguitars.com/
Founded in 1992 by Tim McKnight with over a decade of experience in building and repairing. Morral, OH
LES MCMASTERS
http://www.mcmastersguitars.com/
Custom made guitars, also does repairs, restrings, on-board electronics, fret work and setup for maximum playability. Located in Hermiston, Oregon.
MCPHERSON GUITARS
http://www.mcphersonguitars.com/
Exquisite craftsmanship and cutting-edge design. Our handmade guitars feature our revolutionary offset sound hole, innovative bracing, and our state-of-the-art cantilevered neck. They also feature a set of all-carbon-fibre guitars. Sparta, WI.
JOSE A. PEREZ MENCHACA
http://www.perez-menchaca.com/
For the most part occupied with restoring bowed instruments and manufacturing new concert guitars. DeBary, FL.
CHACE MILLER GUITARS
https://www.chacemillerguitars.com/
Steelstring Flat top & Classical Guitars. Bellevue, Washington. #LCGF_2018.
MIRABELLA GUITARS & RESTORATION
Cristian Mirabella, Luthier
http://www.mirabellaguitars.com/
Archtop Guitars, Copiague, New York. #LCGF_2018.
MOON BEAM MANDOLINS
Glen Robertson, Luthier
http://www.moonbeammandolins.com/
Makes mandolins, mandolas, octave mandolins, bouzoukis, arch top guitars, soprano ukuleles and tenor ukuleles. Located in Poplar Bluff Missouri.
MONTROSE GUITARS
http://www.montroseguitars.com/
Steel string guitars built by Scott Lennard, located in Libby, Montana.
ROGER MORILLO
http://www.rogermorillo.com/
Builds guitars and basses in Charleston, West Virginia. Website uses Adobe Flash.
MORRISSEY GUITARS, USA
Patrick Morrissey, Luthier
www.morrisseyguitars.com
“My love of woodworking goes back to my childhood. My father was a craftsman and working along side him as a young boy I learned the skills necessary for fine woodworking. After completing my first guitar, I was hooked…I knew this is where I wanted to focus my talents. I found my passion as a luthier – 17 years later I continue to do what I love every day.” Charlton, MA. #VIGF_2018.
MULE RESONATOR GUITARS, USA
Matt Eich, Luthier
muleresophonic.com
Matt Eich builds steel and brass bodied resonator guitars in Saginaw, Michigan. The resonator guitar has largely remained unchanged since 1930. Matt is working to change that while respecting traditional aesthetic. Musicians like The Black Keys, Ben Harper, Adele and Charlie Parr use this new sound to take their work in new directions. New sound, new inspiration. Saginaw, Michigan. #VIGF_2017.
JAMES W. MURPHY
http://www.jwmurphyguitars.com/
Builds archtop guitars in Fenton, Michigan.
BILL NESSE
http://www.nesseguitars.com/
Builds classical guitars in Greeley, Colorado.
DAVID NEWTON GUITARS
http://davidnewtonguitars.squarespace.com/
Building and repairing Guitars and Mandolins since 1975. Located in Beaumont, Texas.
BRAD NICKERSON
http://nickersonguitars.net/
Building superb steel string guitars since 1982. Located in Asheville, North Carolina.
DL NOBLE GUITARS
Duane Noble, Luthier
(web site reported as a violation of policy – don’t go there!)
Flat tops, Harp Guitars, Ukuleles, Harp Ukuleles. Richland, Washington. #LCGF_2108.
ROBERT O’BRIEN
http://www.obrienguitars.com/
Builds classical and steel string guitars as well as teaches guitar building at Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, Colorado.
OJ GUITARS, USA
Oliver Jaggi, Luthier
http://www.ojguitars.com/
A third-generation Swiss craftsman, Luthier Oliver Jaggi has over three decades of experience in working in a close relationship with wood and music. Through this relationship, Oliver has explored the boundaries of engineering and tonal possibilities with an ongoing spirit of inquiry. This inquiry has led to work marked by both precision and depth of feeling. His guitars evoke the pure joy of playing music on a work of art. California. #VGIF_2018.
INFINITY LUTHIERS
Chris Oliver, Luthier
http://www.infinityluthiers.com/
Building acoustic mandolins and guitars, repair and restoration, located in Springfield, Illinois.
NELLE DOAK O’NEILL
http://www.music-foodforthebrain.com/vio.html
Has played and taught violin and viola professionally for the last 35 years and has been building since 1985. She lives in Carson Valley, Nevada.
JOHN OSTHOFF
http://www.osthoffguitars.com/
His How-to page includes a tutorial on building dot-and-lozenge rosettes. Becket, Massachusetts. #MGS-2011, #Technique.
PALM TREE UKULELES
Pam and John Ramsey, Luthiers
http://www.palmtreeukuleles.com/
Build ukuleles and buy, sell, trade and repair most other instruments in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
MITCHELL PAULSON GUITARS
Mitchell Paulson, Luthier.
https://www.mpacousticguitars.com/
Steelstring Flat top Guitars. Redmond, Oregon. #LCGF_2018.
PENWOOD GUITARS
Kevin Penhorwood, Luthier
https://www.penwoodguitars.com/
High quality custom handcrafted guitars. Marysville, Ohio.
PETERSON STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
https://www.petersonstringedinstruments.com/
Somewhere in North Dakota.
NEIL PETERSON
http://www.hillcountrylutherie.com/
builds acoustic guitars and other stringed instruments in Bandera, Texas.
PETROS GUITARS
Bruce Petros, Luthier
http://www.petrosguitars.com/
Building guitars since 1972. Some really cool rosettes. Has a shop where he sells purfling and other adornments. Kaukauna, WI. #LCGF_2018.
PHOENIX GUITAR COMPANY
George Leach, Luthier.
http://www.phoenixguitarco.com/
Archtop, Flat top, & Classical Guitars. Torrance, California. #LCGF_2018.
PHOENIX MANDOLINS
Rolfe Gerhardt, Luthier
http://www.phoenixmandolins.com/
GREAT Custom Mandolin site. Top of the line. Warren, Maine.
KEN POLLARD
http://www.owyheemountainfiddle.com/
Repairs neatly done, instruments new & used for sale & rent, bows, cases, instructional books, & fine accessories. Information on Contra and Scottish Country dancing in the Boise area. Nampa, Idaho.
GARY H. PRICE
http://fiberglasscase.com/
Builds banjos, mandolin, archtop guitars and archtop basses and has a variety of banjo and mandolin parts. Let’s not forget the custom cases. He lives in Jones, Oklahoma.
TOM PRISLOE
http://classicalguitarbuilder.com/
Classical guitar builder from Trumansburg, New York.
PRISMA GUITARS, USA
Nick Pourfard, Luthier
www.prismaguitars.com
Prisma Guitars creates one-of-a-kind guitars made from the wood of used and broken skateboards. Every skateboard is made with seven colour-dyed plys of hard rock maple pressed together. Once the material is worked with, the guitar’s colour pattern emerges. Each guitar is handcrafted in San Francisco, CA. #VGIF_2017.
ALEJANDRO QUINTERO
http://www.quinteroguitars.com/
Builds and restores classical guitars in West Palm Beach, Florida
SASHA RADICIC
http://www.radicic-guitar-zither.com/
Classical, flamenco, spanish, western, electric guitars and concert zithers. Located in St. Louis, Missouri.
RAIN SONG
http://rainsong.com/
Carbon fibre guitars. See also John A. Decker.
TIM REEDE
http://www.reedeguitars.com/
Makes one-of-a-kind archtop, flattop, and electric guitars in Minneapolis MN.
REES HARPS
William Rees, Harp Luthier
http://traditionalharps.com/
The workshop of Wm. Rees. Rising Sun, IN.
REITH GUITARS
http://www.reithguitars.com/
Premium custom electric headless guitars crafted by hand in the USA. Great sustain and warm tones. Manufacturer of Reith Sonic Block headless tuners and bridges, and reseller of EMG pickups, custom inlay Moses Graphite Necks, and GHS double ball end strings. Kennet Square, Pennsylvania. Website uses Adobe Flash.
RICHARD REYNOSO
http://www.reynosoguitars.com/
Classical guitar maker in Newbury Park, CA.
RIBBECKE GUITARS
Tom Ribbecke, Luthier.
http://www.ribbecke.com/
Archtop Guitars. Healdsburg, California. #LCGF_2018.
TOBY RZEPKA
http://www.rzepkastrings.com/
Builds viols, guitars and Aeolian harps in Portland, Maine.
ERNEST E. ROESLER
http://www.eercustom.com/
Solid and hollow body electric guitars in Forks, Washington.
NICK ROUBAS
http://www.violuthier.com/
Violinmaker, build and repairs. Los Angeles, CA.
MATTHEW RUBENDALL
http://www.mattrubendall.com/
Handmade classical guitars. Located in Brooklyn, NY
SADOWSKY GUITARS
http://www.sadowsky.com/
Classy website. Long Island City, NY.
LEWIS SANTER INSTRUMENTS
http://lsanter.com/
[Blog Entry.]
Irish Bouzoukis & Guitars. Was at the MGS in 2011 and 2012. East Bay area, CA. #MGS-2011.
SAVAGE CLASSICAL GUITARS
http://www.savageclassical.com/
(not a Luthier – a guitar reseller/dealer) run by Richard Sayage. Located in Bay Shore, New York.
ERICH SCHWEIGER VIOLINS
https://www.schweigerviolins.com/
Erich crafts his fine violins in Stanwood, Washington; a small town one hour North of Seattle.
SEXAUER GUITARS, USA
Bruce Sexauer, Luthier
www.sexauerluthier.com
Bruce Sexauer, Luthier. Petaluma, CA. #VIGF_2017, #VIGF_2018, #LCGF_2018.
MICHAEL SHEIBLEY
http://www.specialtyviolin.com/
(not a luthier – a supplies shop) sale, repair and restoration of violins, basses, cellos; sale of tonewood, violin making parts and tools, bows, and more. Mechanicsburg, PA.
MAXWELL T. SIPE
http://www.sipeguitars.com/
Builds classical and steel string guitars in Portland, Oregon.
SKYTOP GUITARS, USA
Eric Weigeshoff, Luthier
www.skytopguitars.com
Guitars and ukes. Hudson Valley area, NY. #VIGF_2018, #LCGF_2018.
SMOCKE ARCHTOP GUITARS
http://www.smockeguitars.com/
Handcrafted 8 string archtop guitars with long scale lengths. Located in Little Chute, Wisconsin.
ERVIN SOMOGYI
http://www.esomogyi.com/
Author and luthier – steel string. Oakland, CA. #VIGF_2018.
STEVEN SORLI
http://www.lautenwerk.com/
Harpsichord and lautenwerk home page. Amherst, MA.
BYRON SPAIN
http://www.theleftyluthier.com/
Instrument builder specializing in mandolins and guitars. Also a Physicist, a PEng, (Mech), and a licensed Acoustical Engineer. Texas (near San Antonio).
SPECIMEN GUITAR SHOP
Ian Schneller, Luthier
http://www.specimenproducts.com/index.html
Chicago, Illinois.
ROBERT A. STEINEGGER
http://www.steinyguitars.com/
“Incredibly Wonderful Handmade Acoustic Guitars”. Located in Portland, Oregon.
MARK SWANSON
http://www.markswansonmusic.com/
Builds acoustic and electric guitars and octave mandolins. Grand Rapids, Michigan.
ASHTON TAYLOR
http://www.ashtontaylorguitars.com/
Hand crafted custom flamenco, classical, Gypsy Jazz, and steel string guitars. USA.
MICHAEL THAMES
http://www.thamesclassicalguitars.com/
Classical guitar builder from New Mexico.
THORELL FINE GUITARS, USA
Ryan Thorell, Luthier
www.thorellguitars.com
Ryan Thorell has been building, repairing, and playing guitars since 1993 when he built his first guitar with Tim D. Gonzalez, a Salt Lake City based luthier. After a number of apprenticeships he opened his custom guitar business in 2003 in Logan Utah. His custom handmade instruments are coveted, owned, and played all over the world by respected collectors and renowned guitarists such as Frank Vignola, Tommy Emmanuel, Vinny Raniolo, George Cole, Adam Miller, and Wolfgang Shalk. Logan Utah. #VIGF_2018.
BENZ TSCHANNEN
http://www.tschannenguitars.com/
Fine handcrafted Spanish guitars, located in Fallon, Nevada.
PETER TSIORBA
http://www.tsiorba.com/
Maker of classical and flamenco guitars in Portland, Oregon.
UKULELES BY KAWIKA
http://www.ukuleles.com/
Think uke’s are low-tech folk instruments? Check out this site for a state-of-the-art eye opener! Kawika is retired, but there is still lots of useful info on his website. Hawaii.
UNDERMOUNTAIN, USA
Bradford Simon, Luthier
www.undermountaininstruments.com
Located in the beautiful Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Bradford Simon of Undermountain produces meticulously handcrafted and expertly finished ukuleles and guitars in both exotic and locally sourced tonewoods. Each instrument is individually built using traditional techniques, fine components and high-quality materials. And the luthier hand-voices each instrument to accentuate the individual characteristics and unique tonal qualities of the wood. Sheffield, MA. #VIGF_2018.
REBECCA URLACHER
http://www.urlacherguitars.com/
Builds steel-string guitars in Eugene, Oregon. #LCGF_2018.
GARY G. VAIL
http://www.vailguitars.com/
Builds handcrafted acoustic guitars in Hyde Park, New York.
JOHN WALKER GUITARS
http://www.johnwalkerguitars.com/
Steelstring Flat Top Guitars. Petty Creek, Montana. #LCGF_2018.
PAUL WEAVER
http://lamareguitars.com/
Handtool-crafted classical guitars in Portland, Oregon.
MAEGEN WELLS GUITARS & MANDOLINS, USA
Maegen Wells, Luthier
www.maegenwellsguitars.com
Maegen Wells Guitars & Mandolins is a one lady shop tucked in the great Redwoods of California. Maegen has been building guitars since 2006 and specializes in archtop guitars and mandolins. Each instrument is her own design and is built from scratch with her own two hands. Really nice website. Forestville, CA. #VIGF_2018, #LCGF_2018.
WENZEL VIOLINS
http://www.wenzelviolins.com/
make and repair violins, violas and cellos in Warroad, Minnesota.
WHALEHAZARD GUITARS, USA
Andy Webber, Luthier
www.whalehazard.com
Andy Webber designs, builds, and plays electric guitars in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He specializes in intricate, hand cut and engraved pearl inlays. Whalehazard Guitars feature clean lines, bold colors, and impeccable attention to detail. As an independent craftsman and artist, Andy understands that a beautiful guitar also needs to work, and that playability, sonic expression, and durability are even more important. Minneapolis, Minnesota. #VIGF_2018.
JAMES WHITE GUITARS
http://jameswhiteguitars.com/
Steelstring Flat top & Classical Guitars. Victor, Idaho. #LCGF_2018.
WHITSETT GUITAR WORKS
http://www.whitsettguitarworks.com/
(Repair shop)) repairs and restoration in Lowell, MA.
JOHN WIDMAN
http://www.widmancustomelectrics.com/
Widman Custom Electrics, maker of fine custom electric guitars and home of the Gigmaster. North Carolina. #MGS-2011.
WILBORN GUITARS, USA
Benjamin Wilborn, Luthier
www.wilbornguitars.com
Ben Wilborn’s focus as a builder is on his own unique designs, which he has created as a response to his desires as a musician, and his knowledge as a craftsman. His guitars are sleek and modern and employ all of Ben’s hard won techniques and secrets for voicing and responsiveness, but they are not strange. In your hands – they feel timeless and alive, and in your ears, they create all those sounds that you always imagined a guitar should produce: warmth, harmonic sophistication, intensity and articulation. These guitars are built by a player, for players. Reno, Nevada. #VIGF_2018, #LCGF_2018.
KATHY WINGERT‘S GUITARS.
http://www.wingertguitars.com/
Nice site, check it out. You can check out a few pictures at Guitargal.com. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. #MGS-2011.
WOOLSON SOUNDCRAFT
Paul Woolson, Luthier
http://www.woolsonsoundcraft.com/
Builds fine, hand crafted acoustic guitars in Madison, Wisconsin. #MGS-2011, #LCGF_2018.
XYLEM HANDMADE BASSES AND GUITARS
Anthony Olinger, Luthier
http://www.xylembassguitar.com/
Custom electric basses and guitars. Durango, CO.
YEN GUITARS, USA
Yen Lai, Luthier
www.notefornote.net
Yen Lai’s background includes formal training from Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery, and experience working for Guitar Center as a guitar repair technician. He now runs his own repair shop in New Jersey, where in addition to daily repair work, he builds 6~8 guitars each year. Yen focuses on the balance between sound and aesthetics.. He likes his guitars clean and punctuated, and builds customized guitars that suit his clients’ music endeavors. Clark, NJ. #VIGF_2018.
DAVID T. VAN ZANDT
http://www.vanzandtviolins.com/
A fine source for those with violin interests. Includes schools, organizations, suppliers, and information on individual violin makers. Seattle, Washington.