About John
Shaped by Craft
How my path, my hands, and my work inform every instrument.
Build Philosophy
Passionate
My build philosophy comes down to this: build the next guitar better than the last, stay humble, and keep learning. That ongoing curiosity is what fuels my passion for the craft.
Before the Bench
My Life in Music
I’ve been involved in the music world for more than 45 years. It started in high‑school bands and grew into years of playing in working groups, sharing the stage with some incredibly talented musicians. I also spent time providing stage and sound support for well‑known touring acts including The Coasters, The Drifters, The Platters, The Marshall Tucker Band, Jon Pousette‑Dart, Jonathan Edwards, John Hall, Jess Klein, Bill Morrissey, and Bill Staines.
Music has been the constant thread through every chapter of my life, shaping how I listen, how I work, and ultimately how I build.
From Curiosity to Craft
The road to lutherie
I started dreaming about building guitars as a teenager, though I didn’t have the resources to pursue it until much later. I even ordered parts for a bass in 1980, but the shop went out of business before they arrived. My path to lutherie wasn’t complicated, but it did take a few turns before I finally installed my first fret.
Before becoming a full‑time builder, I spent about five years as a toolmaker—experience that taught me precision, problem‑solving, and how to design jigs and fixtures, all of which transferred beautifully to guitar making. After that came years as an electronics technician and a brief stint as a software engineer before I eventually became a school teacher. Teaching was more challenging than I expected, but the schedule allowed me to dive deeper into lutherie. During school breaks, I traveled, studied, and learned from some truly great people in the craft.
I began building professionally 25 years ago, and every step along the way—music, toolmaking, electronics, teaching—has shaped the way I build today.
The Long Arc of Mastery
Refinement and Improvement
When I look back at my early years as a builder, I can almost chart my confidence on a graph. At the beginning, there’s a spike — that early rush where you think you’ve got it all figured out. Then reality steps in. The line drops hard. For me, that dip wasn’t discouragement; it was the moment I realized how deep this craft really goes.
Over time, with thousands of hours at the bench, that line begins to rise again — slowly, steadily, honestly. Not the sharp climb of early cockiness, but the quiet confidence that comes from experience, repetition, mistakes, and small breakthroughs. That’s the space I work in now.
Refinement is the real work. Every instrument teaches me something. Every build reveals a detail worth improving. I study what great builders have done, I learn from what works, and I experiment with intention — guided by experience, not ego. The goal is simple: keep getting better, stay humble, and let the craft deepen over time.
The Craft Today
I’ve always believed that good work starts with paying attention to what’s already been done well. The builders who came before me left a trail of ideas, solutions, and elegant decisions, and I try to learn from all of it. But I’m not interested in copying anyone. My approach is a mix of experience, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment when the work calls for it.
Every guitar is an opportunity to refine something—sometimes a small detail, sometimes a bigger idea. I follow the evidence, trust my hands, and let my own vision guide the choices that make each instrument feel like mine. It’s a balance of discipline and exploration, grounded in what I’ve learned and shaped by where I want the craft to go.
I began building professionally 25 years ago, and every step along the way—music, toolmaking, electronics, teaching—has shaped the way I build today.
Why I Build
From My Hands to your Music
I’ve always believed that good work begins with understanding what the great builders already solved. They left behind ideas, proportions, and decisions worth studying, and I draw from all of it. In some guitars—especially the Vintage Series—I stay close to those foundations. In others, I let my own design language take the lead. My approach is shaped by experience, curiosity, and a commitment to thoughtful refinement.
Each instrument is a chance to improve something, whether it’s a subtle detail or a larger structural idea. I follow the evidence, trust my hands, and let intention guide the choices that give my guitars their voice. It’s a balance of discipline and exploration, grounded in what I’ve learned and where I want the craft to move.
