Builder Profile
ARTICLES
From Skulls to Scooby-Doo—9 of the World's Strangest Stomps
October 1, 2020
Fantastic freaks that annihilate preconceptions about how pedals should look and sound.
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Breath of Something Big: Jersey Girl Homemade Guitars
October 18, 2019
Luthier Kaz Goto on the astonishing guitars, pedals, and straps crafted in his countryside shop in Hokkaido, Japan.
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Gamechanger Audio: Robots, Bug Zappers & Motor-Driven Dreams
May 9, 2019
Ilja Krumins’ metamorphosis from psychobilly raver to being one of the gear industry’s most ambitious visionaries.
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Life on the Edge of a Knife: Ergon Guitars’ Adriano Sergio
January 3, 2019
The improbable journey from passionate woodworker to jazz bassist, navy SEAL, touring road tech for metal giants, and, finally, to luthier of exquisite handmade instruments.
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The Holy Grail Guitar Show: Berlin, Take Two
December 28, 2015
Europe’s exclusive boutique guitar trade show had a bold and beautiful second year.
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Mod Scientist: BilT Guitars’ Tim Thelen
April 9, 2015
A luthier’s willingness to bastardize a Tele with onboard effects spawned a company that’s grabbed the attention of adventurous players like Brent Hinds, Nels Cline, and Buzz Osborne.
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A Place to Bury Strangers: Controlled Anarchy
March 5, 2015
Oliver Ackermann plays mad scientist with his band, A Place to Bury Strangers, and his pedal company, Death by Audio.
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Builder Profile: Voodoo Amps
November 14, 2014
Trace Davis’ road to rock-star glory began with a Def Leppard bus driver—and quickly progressed to modding and building amps for the likes of Bill Kelliher, Billy Gibbons, Vivian Campbell, and Richard Fortus.
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Inside the Musicians Institute Guitar Craft Program
October 20, 2014
For players looking to start down a career path that never takes them away from their first love, the Guitar Craft Program offers a foundational education that can open a lot of doors—no previous experience required.
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Red Wing: Inside Minnesota State College's Guitar Repair and Building Program
May 29, 2014
We follow a student through his first year in Minnesota State’s “Red Wing” lutherie program.
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John Woodland: Mastery Bridge Mastermind
May 15, 2014
Leo Fender didn’t get everything right the first time: How John Woodland perfected the offset guitar bridge.
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Builder Profile: Veillette Guitars
April 22, 2014
After a life-affirming medical scare, the Woodstock-based luthier refocused his business and is launching an international boutique line.
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Builder Profile: Klon's Bill Finnegan
January 21, 2014
The reclusive pedal builder discusses the origins of his famed Centaur overdrive, the more affordable new KTR design, and how one pedal can inspire so much adoration and disdain.
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Unwound: Fishman Rethinks the Electric Guitar Pickup
January 13, 2014
Fluence, Fishman’s first line of electric guitar pickups, marks a radical departure from the traditional technology.
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Modern Builder Vault: Bad Seed Guitars
December 20, 2013
A racecar builder uses his engineering know-how to build guitars out of titanium and other metals.
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Modern Builder Vault: Lowland Guitars
December 2, 2013
Handmade guitars from the Netherlands.
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Builder Profile: Born Custom Guitars
November 19, 2013
By using sustainably harvested, salvaged, and reclaimed tonewoods, this Colorado-based company is making guitars a greener way.
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Modern Builder Vault: KOZM Guitars
November 8, 2013
“Modern guitars for modern times,” is a fitting mission statement for Jeff Kosmoski’s KOZM Guitars.
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24 Windy City Gems
October 17, 2013
For much of the 20th century, Chicago was the epicenter of musical instrument manufacturing and distribution. Here, guitarist Daniel Ivankovich shares two-dozen favorites from his personal collection.
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Modern Builder Vault: Red Rocket Guitars
October 11, 2013
North Carolina artist Matthew Nowicki taught himself how to build guitars five years ago and hasn't looked back.
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