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.

Markus Held

Markus Held

Markus Held was born in Heidenheim in 1973. At the age of seven, he had his first contact with the classical guitar. Today he lives in South Germany near the...

Markus Held

Markus Held was born in Heidenheim in 1973. At the age of seven, he had his first contact with the classical guitar. Today he lives in South Germany near the...

Ariel Ameijenda

Ariel Ameijenda

Ariel Ameijenda was born in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1963, as the son of one of the country’s most famous guitar makers, Manuel Ameijenda. Ariel’s father had learnt this difficult art...

Ariel Ameijenda

Ariel Ameijenda was born in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1963, as the son of one of the country’s most famous guitar makers, Manuel Ameijenda. Ariel’s father had learnt this difficult art...

Richard Newman

Richard Newman

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

Richard Newman

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

Michael Sander

Michael Sander

www.feinegitarren.de In my workshop in Wiesloch near Heidelberg, I build guitars, lutes, and other stringed instruments to order. For me, the really interesting challenges are projects involving the creation of...

Michael Sander

www.feinegitarren.de In my workshop in Wiesloch near Heidelberg, I build guitars, lutes, and other stringed instruments to order. For me, the really interesting challenges are projects involving the creation of...

Tobias Braun

Tobias Braun

www.tobiasbraun-guitars.com I was born in Holzminden/Weser, Germany in 1960. The following year my family and I moved to Perchtoldsdorf, a suburb of Vienna, Austria. After finishing school in 1980 I...

Tobias Braun

www.tobiasbraun-guitars.com I was born in Holzminden/Weser, Germany in 1960. The following year my family and I moved to Perchtoldsdorf, a suburb of Vienna, Austria. After finishing school in 1980 I...

Kenny Hill

Kenny Hill

www.hillguitar.com Kenny Hill is one of the most accomplished, experienced and versatile classical guitar makers in the world today. He is recognized as a fine maker, player, teacher and innovator....

Kenny Hill

www.hillguitar.com Kenny Hill is one of the most accomplished, experienced and versatile classical guitar makers in the world today. He is recognized as a fine maker, player, teacher and innovator....

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