Based on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, master luthier Wyatt Wilkie is globally celebrated for his flawless, entirely hand-carved archtop guitars and mandolins. Raised in a deeply musical home by a professional mandolinist father, Wilkie originally entered the high-end instrument world in 1992 by designing custom cases for the Calton Case Company. It was during this…
An exceptionally innovative force in the Pacific Northwest acoustic community, Portland-based luthier and guitarist Mike Doolin is revered for pushing the boundaries of modern acoustic and harp guitar design. Blending a background as a highly experienced professional musician with a deep, scientific approach to engineering, Doolin founded Doolin Guitars in 1995 and spent over fifteen…
An absolute titan of modern lutherie and recently appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada, Toronto-based master builder Linda Manzer stands as one of the most innovative and revered guitar makers in history. Manzer’s extraordinary journey began with a rigorous flat-top apprenticeship under Canadian master Jean Larrivée from 1974 to 1978. Recognizing her…
Considered one of the premier builders of the modern era, Long Island-based luthier Cristian Mirabella is a direct living link to the legendary Golden Era of New York archtop making. Raised in a deeply musical household, Mirabella’s journey began with classical guitar studies at age five, transitioning into a rigorous, traditional 15-year apprenticeship starting at…
Tom Ribbecke was born in Brookyln, New York Tom attended NYU Syracuse University Newhouse School of Communications and earned a BFA in Music and a BA in communications. He relocated to San Francisco in the early 70’s and opened his first lutherie shop in the Mission district. He is one of the premier archtop builders…
Philadelphia-based luthier Bill Comins began playing guitar at an early age, eventually going on to study jazz guitar at Temple University. His initial career as a working guitarist and private instructor led to a lifelong pursuit of exploring the intricacies of designing and building guitars with a special interest in archtop guitars. Guided by the…
Over the last 30 years, I’ve built my fair share of instruments. Each instrument has given me an opportunity to hone my craft and expand my skillset. Building completely unique instruments without any set models or guidelines has been challenging, but it has allowed me to offer something that most other manufacturers cannot: complete control over…
I was given my first guitar at the age of 13, and eventually I needed it set up. I brought it to Doug Proper, who initiated my interest in the world of working on guitars, not just playing them. He advised me to look for a course if I was serious in my desire to…
From a very young age I have had a desire to work with my hands. At 14, I combined my love of music and my passion for woodworking to build my first guitar. Since then, I have strived to make great guitars. I have been working to master my skills as a woodworker and craftsman…
Growing up around wood working and construction, I quickly learned that you didn’t have to buy things; you could make them! Add a love for music, art, and learning, lutherie became a way to challenge myself and remain engaged with my passions. I strive to not only produce instruments that keep myself interested, but also…