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.

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...

Hermann Hauser III

Hermann Hauser III

www.hauserguitars.de Hermann Hauser III From 1974 onward, Hermann Hauser III and his father worked independently within the same workshop, with each instrument carrying his own numbering and signature. His guitars...

Hermann Hauser III

www.hauserguitars.de Hermann Hauser III From 1974 onward, Hermann Hauser III and his father worked independently within the same workshop, with each instrument carrying his own numbering and signature. His guitars...

Kathrin Hauser

Kathrin Hauser

http://www.hauserguitars.de Kathrin Hauser Before dedicating herself fully to professional guitar making, Kathrin Hauser first trained in a commercial profession. After gaining several years of experience in that field, she began...

Kathrin Hauser

http://www.hauserguitars.de Kathrin Hauser Before dedicating herself fully to professional guitar making, Kathrin Hauser first trained in a commercial profession. After gaining several years of experience in that field, she began...

Thomas Ochs

Thomas Ochs

www.ochs-gitarrenbau.de Workshop Since September 2004 he has been working in his own workshop in Kemmern near the World Heritage City of Bamberg in Upper Franconia. As a master guitar maker,...

Thomas Ochs

www.ochs-gitarrenbau.de Workshop Since September 2004 he has been working in his own workshop in Kemmern near the World Heritage City of Bamberg in Upper Franconia. As a master guitar maker,...

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