Tobias Braun

Rooted in the traditions of Spanish guitar building and enriched by Romanillos’ mentorship, these concert guitars combine precision, clarity, and depth. Built in Austria’s Vienna Woods, each instrument reflects refined tonal artistry and craftsmanship, chosen by leading performers in Europe and Japan for their balance, sustain, and expressive character.

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Tobias Braun – Master Guitar Maker from Austria

Tobias Braun was born in 1960 in Holzminden/Weser (Germany). In early 1961, his family moved to Perchtoldsdorf near Vienna.

Early Background

After graduating from high school, he began his studies in German literature and communication studies in 1980. While he found these subjects interesting, they didn’t fulfill him. In 1983, he built his first concert guitar through self-study.

Learning under José Romanillos

A year later, in 1984, he attended his first guitar making course under the guidance of José Luis Romanillos in Zurich. In just three weeks, Tobias Braun learned what others would experience in three years of apprenticeship. In the spring of 1988, he attended a second guitar making course under José Romanillos, this time in Aalst, Belgium. The year 1989 was eventful as he completed his master’s examination in Vienna and attended his third course with José Romanillos in Córdoba, Spain.

Collaborations and Milestones

Throughout 1990, alongside his work in the workshop, Tobias Braun worked as a co-translator of the book “Antonio de Torres. Ein Gitarrenbauer – Sein Leben und Werk” (Bochinsky Verlag) by J. Romanillos. In 1992, he attended his fourth building course with José Romanillos in Córdoba.

In 1993, Tobias Braun’s career took a significant turn as he began with a one-week training at Gibson in Nashville, USA. During the summer, he assisted J. Romanillos in a building course in Córdoba. Since the fall of that year, he has been collaborating with the Japanese guitar dealer Eisuke Ozaki (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka).

In 1998, he moved to his new house with an attached workshop in Gaaden in the Vienna Woods.

Since 2001, Tobias Braun has been a founding member of “N.I.C.E. – Neufeldner Instrumentenbauer Congress und Erlebnistage” (Association for the Further Education of Musical Instrument Makers) and co-organizer of annual instrument maker congresses.

Instruments

His instruments are played by the following guitarists, among others:

  • Martin Schwarz (A)
  • Paul Friesenbichler (A)
  • Prof. Leo Witoszynsyj (A)
  • Erich Schachtner (D)
  • Y. Iwanaga (JP)
  • Keishi Sumi and Akiko Sumi (JP)
  • Prof. Martin Myslivecek (CZ)
  • Daniele Russo (I)
  • Dominik Apfelthaler (A, born 1992)
  • Michael Hintersteininger (A)