Kevin Aram

Kevin Aram is a British luthier with more than four decades of experience, renowned for his handcrafted classical guitars rooted in the Spanish tradition. Since the beginning of his career, he has built over 500 instruments, each individually made and uniquely named. His early years in restoration and repair gave him the rare opportunity to study historic guitars by masters such as Torres, Hauser, Fleta, Santos Hernández, and Domingo Esteso, shaping his deep understanding of tone and structure. Based in North Devon since 1991, Aram has dedicated himself to refining the smaller spruce-top guitar inspired by Torres and Hauser, focusing on balance, projection, and musicality. His instruments are admired for their expressive sound, effortless playability, and elegant craftsmanship. Among his distinguished clients is Julian Bream, who performed and recorded internationally with Aram’s guitars, including the celebrated “Myrtle.” Using carefully seasoned tonewoods and crafting every detail by hand, Kevin Aram continues to represent the finest standards of contemporary British lutherie.

Frequently Asked Questions About Classical Guitars

How do I choose the right classical guitar for my level?

Choosing the right classical guitar depends on your playing level, musical goals, and budget. Beginners benefit from studio-model guitars from renowned workshops, while advanced players and professionals often choose a handmade master guitar. We are happy to advise you personally and can send detailed sound samples and videos on request.

What is the difference between a master guitar and a studio guitar?

Master guitars are built entirely by hand in the workshop of a single luthier, using only high-quality, well-aged tonewoods. Studio guitars are made in small series, often under the supervision of the master luthier, and offer excellent value for students and ambitious amateur players.

Can I try a classical guitar at home for 14 days?

Yes — every guitar you purchase from us comes with a 14-day home approval period. This complimentary trial applies worldwide to all orders, whether you are in Germany, Europe, the USA, Asia or anywhere else. We ship your instrument fully insured in a high-quality case so you can play it under your own acoustic conditions. If the guitar is not the right one for you, simply send it back and receive a full refund of the purchase price.

Can I try a classical guitar before purchasing?

Absolutely. You are warmly invited to visit our showroom in Karlsruhe, Germany, and test the instruments at your leisure. We are happy to schedule a personal appointment. If a visit is not possible, we send detailed videos and sound samples, and offer extensive consultation by phone or video call.

What payment methods and financing options do you offer?

We accept bank transfer, PayPal, major credit cards, and Klarna. For high-value instruments, we offer individual installment plans on request. Please contact us directly — we will find a suitable solution for every budget.

How do I properly care for my classical guitar?

A classical guitar requires constant humidity between 45 and 55 percent. Store the instrument in its case with a humidifier, avoid direct sunlight and large temperature fluctuations. Change the strings regularly and clean the guitar with a soft microfiber cloth.

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Kevin Aram – Guitar Maker

Kevin Aram is one of the most respected British luthiers of his generation. Over the past forty-two years, he has built more than 500 instruments, the vast majority of which are classical guitars made in the Spanish tradition. Each guitar is individually handcrafted and uniquely named, with every component—except for the strings, tuners, and fretwire—made entirely by hand.

During the first decade of his career, Aram balanced guitar making with restoration and repair work, allowing him to study and handle some of the world’s finest historical instruments. These included guitars by Vicente Arias, Domingo Esteso, Arcangel Fernandez, Ignacio Fleta, Hermann Hauser I, Santos Hernandez, Manuel Ramirez, Jose Romanillos, and David Rubio.

Since relocating to North Devon in 1991, Aram has focused exclusively on developing smaller spruce-top guitars inspired by the work of Antonio de Torres and Hermann Hauser. His expertise in this style of instrument is among the most extensive of any guitar maker working today.

Among his many clients, the most famous is Julian Bream. In 1986, Aram was introduced to Bream by George Clinton, then editor of Guitar International. Later that year, Bream purchased the guitar “La Cancion”, followed by “Myrtle” in 1988. Both guitars were used in concert performances around the world, with “Myrtle” featured in Bream’s recording of Miguel Llobet’s Catalan folk songs on the album Julian Bream – La Guitarra Romantica.

Aram guitars are admired for their beauty, playability, reliability, projection, and, above all, their musicality. His preferred material for the back and sides is Indian rosewood, though he also works with quilted maple, bird’s eye maple, ziricote, yew, walnut, Madagascar rosewood, African blackwood, cypress, and Brazilian rosewood. The necks are made of Brazilian cedar, and the fingerboards from ebony.

Each rosette is individually designed and matched to the guitar’s purfling and bindings. The standard scale length is 650 mm, but Aram has also built instruments ranging from 630 mm to 660 mm. The nut width is typically 52 mm, though it can be customized to suit the player’s preference.

Aram maintains a large supply of seasoned tonewoods, most of which have been stored for over a decade. His guitars feature a hand-rubbed oil finish, and while his primary focus remains on concert instruments, he occasionally builds flamenco, steel-string acoustic, electric, and cigar box guitars.