The Archtop Guitar's combination of sensual, sculptural shapes and powerful tonal response represent, to me, the ultimate in fretted instrument design. My basic models, whether mandolin, guitar, or bass, are strongly based on the early 20th century originals of this style. I have tried to give my instruments a modern aesthetic, while stayingtrue to traditional construction methods and materials.

These instruments are suitable for a wide variety of musical styles. They produce a powerful acoustic sound, and with a pickup installed they can handle amplified duty as well. The neck is designed for fast action, and all 24 frets are easily accessible.

I have been studying the craft of Lutherie for over fifteen years. History is fascinating to me, and many of my early instruments were historical replicas for performing medieval and renaissance music. I branched out from there to make acoustic and electric string instruments of many kinds, and to do repairs as well.
I also play bass, guitar, and cello, and my experiences both as a musician and a repairman have shaped my design sensibilities.

Building stringed instruments out of wood is a craft that has been found in almost every human society in the world, for probably more than 6,000 years. When I rough out a back with an adze or hand-plane a surface for an exact fit, the methods I use would be recognizable to a Luthier of any place or period. Hand methods are capable of producing the finest possible results, as the amazing instruments made throughout history show.

While a CNC machine can produce huge amounts of identical parts per hour, a Luthier can take into account the characteristics of the wood, the player, and the music to achieve a unity of the three that no factory instrument can match. Personal details such as neck shape, body depth, decoration, and so on, are easily included by a hand builder. Your instrument will be made to suit YOUR preferences and playing style, and an enormous amount of variation is possible. While I have made many instruments on similar patterns, I have never made two of them exactly alike.

All My Instruments have:
• Select, Quartersawn wood
• Hand carved and graduated top and back
• Parallel tone bar bracing (x-bracing also available)
• Handcarved 24-fret neck available in any dimension
and shape
• Carbon fiber neck reinforcement and/or adjustable
truss rod
• Ultralight wooden bridge or standard adjustable
bridge
• Handcarved wooden tailpiece
• Bone nut
• Gotoh or Grover tuning machines
• Hand-rubbed French polish (shellac) finish
• Limited lifetime warranty