Luthiers from Around the World

The modern French name for luthier goes back to lute making. In the German-speaking world, the makers of stringed instruments were called violin makers, as violin was the generic term for various stringed instruments. However, violin makers also occasionally made plucked instruments such as lutes, mandolins, harps, guitars and hurdy-gurdies. Clear demarcations between the instrument makers were created later and regionally by professional associations. The craft of luthiers is usually divided into two main categories: Makers of stringed instruments that are plucked or bowed, and makers of stringed instruments that are bowed. Since stringed instruments require a bow, there is a sub-type in the second category known as a bow maker or archetier. Two important luthiers of the early 19th century who are associated with the development of the modern classical guitar are Louis Panormo and Georg Staufer. Antonio Torres Jurado is credited with developing the shape of the classical guitar that is still in use today. Christian Frederick Martin from Germany developed a form that evolved into the modern steel-stringed acoustic guitar.

Amalia Ramirez

Amalia Ramirez

Biography Born in Madrid, Amalia Ramírez began her apprenticeship in the workshop in 1976 under the guidance of her father. Her training paused while he dedicated time to other disciplines...

Amalia Ramirez

Biography Born in Madrid, Amalia Ramírez began her apprenticeship in the workshop in 1976 under the guidance of her father. Her training paused while he dedicated time to other disciplines...

Michael Brey

Michael Brey

My initial training in the construction of classical guitars was given to me by Peter Barton in England from 1994 to 1996. In the following years I worked for a...

Michael Brey

My initial training in the construction of classical guitars was given to me by Peter Barton in England from 1994 to 1996. In the following years I worked for a...

Markus Held

Markus Held

Markus Held was born in Heidenheim in 1973 and had his first contact with the classical guitar at the age of seven. He now lives in southern Germany near the...

Markus Held

Markus Held was born in Heidenheim in 1973 and had his first contact with the classical guitar at the age of seven. He now lives in southern Germany near the...

Ariel Ameijenda

Ariel Ameijenda

Ariel Ameijenda was born in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1963 as the son of renowned guitar maker Manuel Ameijenda. His father had learned the craft from Juan Carlos Santurion, who had...

Ariel Ameijenda

Ariel Ameijenda was born in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1963 as the son of renowned guitar maker Manuel Ameijenda. His father had learned the craft from Juan Carlos Santurion, who had...

Richard Newman

Richard Newman

I was born in the south of England in 1964 and build traditional guitars using traditional methods and materials. I am always aware that all timbers were once living trees...

Richard Newman

I was born in the south of England in 1964 and build traditional guitars using traditional methods and materials. I am always aware that all timbers were once living trees...

Michael Sander

Michael Sander

www.feinegitarren.de In his workshop in Wiesloch near Heidelberg, the maker constructs guitars, lutes and other stringed instruments to order. Projects involving the creation of entirely new instruments or the evolution...

Michael Sander

www.feinegitarren.de In his workshop in Wiesloch near Heidelberg, the maker constructs guitars, lutes and other stringed instruments to order. Projects involving the creation of entirely new instruments or the evolution...

Tobias Braun

Tobias Braun

Tobias Braun – Guitar Maker www.tobiasbraun-guitars.com Tobias Braun was born in 1960 in Holzminden/Weser, Germany. In the following year his family moved to Perchtoldsdorf, a suburb of Vienna, where he...

Tobias Braun

Tobias Braun – Guitar Maker www.tobiasbraun-guitars.com Tobias Braun was born in 1960 in Holzminden/Weser, Germany. In the following year his family moved to Perchtoldsdorf, a suburb of Vienna, where he...

Kenny Hill

Kenny Hill

www.hillguitar.com Kenny Hill is one of the most accomplished and versatile classical guitar makers active today. He is recognized internationally as a skilled luthier, player, teacher and innovator. His work...

Kenny Hill

www.hillguitar.com Kenny Hill is one of the most accomplished and versatile classical guitar makers active today. He is recognized internationally as a skilled luthier, player, teacher and innovator. His work...

Jens Towet

Jens Towet

Towet Guitars As a child, I actually wanted to learn the saxophone. However, since no instrument was available for a six-year-old, my parents borrowed a children’s guitar from friends. Since...

Jens Towet

Towet Guitars As a child, I actually wanted to learn the saxophone. However, since no instrument was available for a six-year-old, my parents borrowed a children’s guitar from friends. Since...

Curt Claus und Marc-Julian Voigt

Curt Claus und Marc-Julian Voigt

Curt Claus Voigt Curt Claus Voigt began his apprenticeship in Markneukirchen at the company Marma, Karl Bauer KG, a small workshop with around eight to ten guitar makers. The workshop...

Curt Claus und Marc-Julian Voigt

Curt Claus Voigt Curt Claus Voigt began his apprenticeship in Markneukirchen at the company Marma, Karl Bauer KG, a small workshop with around eight to ten guitar makers. The workshop...

Lorenzo Frignani

Lorenzo Frignani

www.frignanilorenzo.com Lorenzo Frignani Lorenzo Frignani developed a broad interest in lutherie at the end of the 1970s. His professional career began in 1985, and since then he has received recognition...

Lorenzo Frignani

www.frignanilorenzo.com Lorenzo Frignani Lorenzo Frignani developed a broad interest in lutherie at the end of the 1970s. His professional career began in 1985, and since then he has received recognition...

Antonio Morales Nogués

Antonio Morales Nogués

www.antoniomorales.com Antonio Morales Nogués Antonio Morales Nogués was born in July 1956 in Monesterio (Extremadura). After a short period in Seville, he moved to Palma de Majorca at the age...

Antonio Morales Nogués

www.antoniomorales.com Antonio Morales Nogués Antonio Morales Nogués was born in July 1956 in Monesterio (Extremadura). After a short period in Seville, he moved to Palma de Majorca at the age...

Where Guitars Speak Louder Than Words

  • Luthier: Jialan Chen
    Construction Year: 2026
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Spruce / Cedar
    Back and Sides: Wenge
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
    Body Finish: French polish
    Air Body Frequency: G / G sharp
    Weight (g): 1595
    Tuner: Alessi
    Condition: New
  • Luthier: Lucio Antonio Carbone
    Construction Year: 2026
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Indian rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
    Body Finish: French polish
    Air Body Frequency: F / F sharp
    Weight (g): 1400
    Tuner: Alessi
    Condition: Mint
  • Luthier: Andreas Kirschner
    Construction Year: 2016
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Cedar
    Back and Sides: Indian rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
    Body Finish: French polish
    Air Body Frequency: F sharp
    Weight (g): 1450
    Tuner: Gotoh
    Condition: Excellent
  • Luthier: Richard Jacob Weissgerber
    Construction Year: 1944
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Indian rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
    Body Finish: French polish
    Air Body Frequency: A
    Weight (g): 1185
    Tuner: Rubner
    Condition: Very good
  • Luthier: Richard Jacob Weissgerber
    Construction Year: 1936
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Cherry
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
    Body Finish: French polish
    Air Body Frequency: G / G sharp
    Weight (g): 1175
    Tuner: Rubner
    Condition: Very good
  • Luthier: Zbigniew Gnatek
    Construction Year: 2023
    Construction Type: Lattice
    Top: Cedar
    Back and Sides: Madagascar rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: Nitrocellulose
    Body Finish: Polyurethane
    Air Body Frequency: G
    Weight (g): 1760
    Tuner: Pagos
    Condition: Excellent
  • Construction Year: 2025
    Construction Type: Double-Top Guitars
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Indian rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: Lacquer
    Body Finish: Lacquer
    Air Body Frequency: F
    Weight (g): 1500
    Tuner: Kris Barnett
    Condition: Mint
  • Construction Year: 2025
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Flamed Maple
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
    Body Finish: French polish
    Air Body Frequency: G sharp / A
    Weight (g): 1550
    Tuner: Fustero
    Condition: New

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