I first got involved in building guitars several years ago when I realized two things: the more expensive guitars not only sounded better but were actually easier to play than an inexpensive store-bought guitar; and many places that sell guitars don't know how to or simply can't take the time to set up a guitar to suit a player's individual need.

I have since concluded that there are basically three reasons to buy a handmade guitar:

1. You play well enough that someone can hear the difference.
2. You play well enough that you can feel the difference.
3. Your style of playing doesn't fit the most common off-the-shelf acoustic guitar design.

If you're buying a guitar for the first two reasons you will likely choose a builder that you have played before, or a known builder who likely has a price tag to match their reputation. Although I would like to someday attract that type of player (and charge that kind of price), my focus today is on building a custom guitar to fit your style and unique characteristics. I specialize in fingerstyle instruments with lower actions and balanced response, but I can and will customize a guitar for you whether you know what that means for you or not. I actively involve the customer in the design process from the selection of the wood to decisions on scale length width of the strings at the nut and the saddle, overall shape and size of the guitar body, shape of the neck, etc. If you're not sure what you want, I'll take you to a local guitar store to try out different styles to find the feel and fit that is just right for you. I'll also walk you through the various choices and how those choices can give us the best chance at achieving the sound that you are looking for.

I mostly build steel string acoustics, but have also strayed into nylon string guitars, electric guitars, archtop guitars and even ukuleles. If my daughter decides she wants to play one, I may even one day attempt to build a Harp, although probably not from scratch.

Building guitars is a hobby for me, meaning that I have to fit it in where I can while working full time at an aerospace engineering company, being a family man with a lovely wife and two children, as well as time I set aside for church and ministry. An initial down payment reserves your spot in my build schedule, and I will give you an estimate of when your guitar would be built, but when I start and how long it will take are at best estimates. Once I start a guitar, I keep the customer regularly informed on its progress, and will even provide a photo journal of the build in electronic format at the completion.

Here is a picture of my son Ben with the guitar I made for him. His favorite color is purple, so I found some wood (purpleheart) that is naturally the purple color you see in the picture.

This website is still under construction, but if you like what you see and want to talk about schedule and cost, just send me an email with your contact information or call me at the number listed under contact information. Either way, come back often to see how this site comes together, and don't forget to bring your friends.