I began building guitars after a series of career related, false-starts. This list includes military service, the computer networking industry, a bachelor's degree, and two master's degrees. Although I had always applied myself 100% to my endeavors, I was never satisfied. I longed for a balance between my academic inclinations, creative energy, and love of working with my hands. Additionally, I desired a career that would allow me to stay close to home in order to spend time with my wife and three children. I crafted studio furniture for a few years, but couldn't keep my mind from wandering toward guitar construction. I am often asked how I got started building guitars. The reply is simple: I built the first one and haven't been able to stop! I primarily build classical guitars, but do delve into the steel-string acoustic and electric guitar realms occasionally.
Like many contemporary guitar makers, I started by using how-to books and wasting a lot of wood. Needless to say, I was underwhelmed with the early results. I had a lot of unanswered questions and met several stumbling blocks that I could not resolve. Given my background, the aesthetic results in the early guitars were satisfactory but sonically they left a lot to be desired. Consequently, I sought the advice of other builders. I spent some time with luthier James Condino followed by an acoustic guitar building class with George Morris at Vermont Instruments. I owe a debt of gratitude to both of these builder-educators.
I am a craftsman to my core and my prior experience informs my decisions and construction methods. However, I still approach each instrument armed also with the inspired naiveté of an amateur who is working solely for his love of the craft. For me, this is not merely a career. It is a life path. Guitar building has become an integral component to my identity, my family, and my personal well being. When you hold one of my guitars, you are holding well over a hundred hours of my focused attention, aesthetic sensitivities, and calculated decisions.
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