Builder Profile

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.

The Holy Grail Guitar Show: Berlin, Take Two

December 28, 2015

Heiko Hoepfinger

Europe’s exclusive boutique guitar trade show had a bold and beautiful second year.

Mod Scientist: BilT Guitars’ Tim Thelen

April 9, 2015

Shawn Hammond

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.

A Place to Bury Strangers: Controlled Anarchy

March 5, 2015

Tzvi Gluckin

Oliver Ackermann plays mad scientist with his band, A Place to Bury Strangers, and his pedal company, Death by Audio.

Builder Profile: Voodoo Amps

November 14, 2014

Freddy Villano

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.

Inside the Musicians Institute Guitar Craft Program

October 20, 2014

Corbin Reiff

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.

Red Wing: Inside Minnesota State College's Guitar Repair and Building Program

May 29, 2014

Jordan Wagner

We follow a student through his first year in Minnesota State’s “Red Wing” lutherie program.

John Woodland: Mastery Bridge Mastermind

May 15, 2014

Peter Goldenthal

Leo Fender didn’t get everything right the first time: How John Woodland perfected the offset guitar bridge.

Builder Profile: Veillette Guitars

April 22, 2014

Thomas Scott McKenzie

After a life-affirming medical scare, the Woodstock-based luthier refocused his business and is launching an international boutique line.

Builder Profile: Klon's Bill Finnegan

January 21, 2014

West Warren

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.

Unwound: Fishman Rethinks the Electric Guitar Pickup

January 13, 2014

Dan Formosa

Fluence, Fishman’s first line of electric guitar pickups, marks a radical departure from the traditional technology.

Modern Builder Vault: Bad Seed Guitars

December 20, 2013

Rich Osweiler

A racecar builder uses his engineering know-how to build guitars out of titanium and other metals.

Modern Builder Vault: Lowland Guitars

December 2, 2013

Rich Osweiler

Handmade guitars from the Netherlands.

Builder Profile: Born Custom Guitars

November 19, 2013

Corbin Reiff

By using sustainably harvested, salvaged, and reclaimed tonewoods, this Colorado-based company is making guitars a greener way.

Modern Builder Vault: KOZM Guitars

November 8, 2013

Rich Osweiler

“Modern guitars for modern times,” is a fitting mission statement for Jeff Kosmoski’s KOZM Guitars.

24 Windy City Gems

October 17, 2013

Chris McMahon

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.

Modern Builder Vault: Red Rocket Guitars

October 11, 2013

Rich Osweiler

North Carolina artist Matthew Nowicki taught himself how to build guitars five years ago and hasn't looked back.

Builder Profile: The Mu-tron Story

September 12, 2013

Alex Maiolo

Mike Beigel talks about the rise and fall of his company Musitronics—a pioneering stompbox outfit that helped shape the sound of the 1970s.

Builder Profile: JHS Pedals

September 2, 2013

Corbin Reiff

From humble beginnings of making two pedals a day to nearly 10,000 units in 2012, Josh Heath Scott stays true to his goal of turning out accessible, handbuilt pedals for the people—with a picture of your grandma’s face, if you want.