Meet 5 Innovative Guitar Builders

[@GuitarQuackery]

That young guy, Max Spohn, has great potential. I'd love to see his guitars in 20 years from now.

[@stewmac]

Totally agree. Amazing to see what he's been able to do so early in his career.

[@kmatax9237]

This is one of the best 22 namm videos I’ve seen and that area rarely gets any highlight in general. Thanks!

[@stewmac]

Thanks so much!

[@MFKitten]

Hall A is an amazing place too, where you get a crazy mix of the smallest companies with insane ideas, and the chinese companies that make all the cheapo things, and like... Laser cutter and HAAS CNC machines and stuff!

[@badnamebob]

Man, that “Deconstruction” guitar was simply amazing! Thats really innovative thinking in what is generally a pretty conservative field.

[@HunnysPlaylists]

I like it, but the look is somethign else.

[@RaccoonHenry]

they are all great, but Max Spohn in particular, such beautiful instruments! and we already knew Matsuda is a genius!!

[@mattwhite399]

Matsuda’s deconstructed guitar is one of the most beautiful pieces of art I have ever seen. I want it!!!

[@stewmac]

Isn't it incredible? Like Dan said, he's a master artist.

[@MR-vg7yn]

Awesome video. I really like the Verso guitars. I'm pretty sure it will make some guys cry "blasphemy!" and that's what I really like about it. The price is pretty steep, though, considering the body is a piece of bent sheet metal. The carbon fiber guitars are interesting, but it's a bit odd to me that the guy talks about how that different material frees them to do different shapes, yet those guitars shown in the video are very "Gibsony" and traditional.

[@johnpick8336]

Thank you Dan and Co. !

[@scotcherton]

The sheet metal guitar with the moveable pickup is a brilliant design. It's hard to believe that standard guitar makers, and pickup makers have not adopted a plug in or clip-in pickups to make fast and easy pickup changes. I know lots of old guys will respond something like "It's just soldered, anyone can do it!" And that old way of thinking is what keeps industry in the past. Not everyone wants to - or even SHOULD have to learn soldering just to make pickup changes.

[@shaeferweleschuk1324]

It’s cool and looks great, very modern design and shape, but I wonder if they make one with a cutaway, there’s really no need for the metal to be in the way of those upper frets so it seems a bit of a waste

[@cocaineguru8056]

Gibson has had the quick connect PCB system in many of it's guitars for a while now but all anyone ever does is complain about those.

[@rifosi]

Yes, there’s a lot of things going on in Lutherie right now. We are right in the middle of a new golden age era, with a lot of people thinking outside the box. Some innovations are so clever that I wonder how this wasn’t invented before.

[@gregonline6506]

The Stummvoll B or this Japanese deconstructed Guitar, one looks really Bauhaus and the other one so Picasso to me. Beautiful. I would love to play both!

[@markhammer643]

What a delight to see local builder Mike Sankey included! I've had the pleasure of chatting with Mike on numerous occasions, and even playing one of his fascinating Klein-like 7-strings, made for a local jazz musician/instructor. As offbeat as the designs might look, he always aims for comfort, playability, and just enough familiarity to achieve that. If i had a winning lottery ticket, I'd most definitely want him to build me something.

[@stewmac]

He's a great guy and an incredible builder!

[@markhammer643]

@@stewmac Not sure if Mike told you, but his academic background/training is in design, so I suspect that at least some of his builds begin with what the specific piece of wood suggests, rather than starting with a planned design and then looking for the wood that complements it. I can't remember who it was made for, but I saw one of his creations at a local show in which he had worn down the space in the grain *between* the rings, on a hemlock body, such that the now-rippled surface resembled corduroy pants ( look for "Corduroy" on the gallery of electric guitars at his website ). Quite a striking effect. At that same show he also brought along an amp of his design that may have been the only amplifier I've ever seen from this century that used a field-coil speaker. He's also one of the few builders I've seen that routinely use Lace Alumitone pickups.

[@electricalife]

I've never really been a fan of the headless look, but man, the Sankey stuff is stunning.

[@bassvibasics479]

I'm fascinated by the tailpiece tuning system of the Sankey Andromeda. That's the first time I've seen that on an archtop. Brilliant!

[@Marunius]

Dream. I have only seen Adriani Guitars do something similar before but with carbon fibre.

[@viperdragz4403]

Strandberg guitars have a very similar tuning system

[@ReidAWarren]

I went to high school with Mike Sankeys daughter. Really cool to see him doing so well!!

[@rocpile2517]

Thanks Dan that was awesome for those of us that can't make it there

[@martinolssonbass]

Nice quote at the end by Matsuda: "Follow your heart, it doesn´t have to be perfect. Keep on doing, keep on making."

[@joeking433]

There's some criminal trying to rip people off here like the one above saying he's from Stewmac and you've won a prize.

[@stewartmackey6195]

Thank You for covering NAMM . Your company has a really cool reputation and name lol .

[@ron.v]

You have the absolute BEST guitar tech videos on KZbin. Thanks for capturing this one.😄

[@stewmac]

Thanks so much! We really appreciate that.

[@getenlightened]

Thanks for this video! It's great to see these different boutique builders from around the world.

[@stewmac]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-of9ut1hd9q]

Kauer is doing a wonderful job of making beautiful guitars. Happy to see them get a little screen time

[@normbarrows]

An inspiration to all guitar builders everywhere.

[@johna1160]

No surprise trend is to non-wood bodies, or ones made from wood scraps, and castoffs. Precious little of "the good stuff" left. Kudos to the innovative designers and builders of these stunning instruments. Fossilized mammoth bone with a gold backing for an inlay. Love it!

[@stewmac]

Honestly the camera couldn't do it justice - it looked even cooler in person!

[@FGg503]

Extraordinary new concepts in guitar building. Unbelievable talent out there!

[@stewmac]

Truly. And this was just a small selection!

[@BorisBidjanSaberi11]

My jaw was on the floor for these. Wow

[@TheThinker39]

These guitars are beautiful works of art! It's wonderful to see these artistic luthiers and their creations! Thanks for sharing this video.

[@wearetemporary]

Wild and beautiful! Super impressive.

[@roachdoggjr45]

The Masuda guitar was very cool looking.

[@wiegand6640]

Thank you!

[@richardmartinez3342]

i loved the sliding pickups and carbon fiber guitars. I want to get into 3d printed guitars

[@scotcherton]

yeah, sliding, or at least just plug and play pickups should have been implemented a LONG time ago.

[@williamfurner6747]

Sliding pickups, never heard of them. Very interesting to say the least. Love to see that on an acoustic guitar! Especially to roam around for the best sound possible! What a great guitar for a solo act n talking to an audience about the sliding pickups!!!

[@andropolisstudiomusic]

Wow very cool. Thanks!

[@thseed7]

You hit all the most interesting guitars I saw across the various channels covering NAMM but you actually talked to builders and showcased their work. Awesome video. Thank you for highlighting these incredible pieces.

[@stewmac]

Thanks so much for the comment! It was a blast to meet these guys and learn about their techniques.

This video was so interesting! I've been to NAMM and never seen this area!! My favorite was Robin from Germany. I dig his innovation and design! Great post!! Thank you for the post! Greetings from Hollywood California.

[@stewmac]

Glad you enjoyed it!

@@stewmac Yes!!

[@iggypeters5564]

These headless tuners are very cool

[@johnrefe]

spohn guitars looks so good

[@rachaeldon22]

It's good to see those people with a mind set building a different instrument with an excellent quality. They need some more support and NAMM offers this place.

[@nickdryad]

Matsuda’ first guitar looks amazing. It’s like he summoned the ghost of Picasso to do the concept drawings. It’s fantastic...literally.

[@stewmac]

Couldn't agree more! He's on another level.

[@jabelsjabels]

wow, some really incredible pieces!

[@richardallis663]

Wow! Got a guitar festival in Vancouver B. C. coming up. Those are a treat to go to. Not just the big names but locals and one offs. Attended one in LaConner and got to go hands on with a couple beautifully crafted acoustics. I'm jelly I didn't get to do NAMM.

[@TheReacTT]

Those were some amazing builds! Very nice presentation 👍

[@tristanpatterson3843]

Those German acoustics at the start are sick.

[@thejmrexperience2349]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAH! Thanks for this video!!!

[@tomflynn2912]

Beautiful, beautiful guitars! Thank you for the video!

[@swettyspaghtti]

Wow that was great 😀

[@daiiahi3403]

Now this is a fresh look at the future craftsmen in the guitar world. I always thought the guitars we see and get today are basically all the same design. The headless guitars look so cool but the innovations at this show was so refreshing and off the charts. Good to see the skills going into innovative designs. Some of these new guitars will be collectors items.

[@joeking433]

There's some creep trying to rip people off here like the one above saying he's from Stewmac and you've won a prize.

[@benodaboy]

I can't tell you how exited I am by verso guitars. I'd pretty much given up making guitars, (too much stress for a hobby). But that thing inspired me. I want to make something with magnetic puckups like that. That's great idea!!!!

[@stewmac]

Right on, good luck!

[@NineteenEighty8]

spohn makes some GORGEOUS guitars, my lord! the classic looks with modern aesthetics. i would pay $1,500-$2,000 for one of those.

[@georgenero6402]

they go for way more than that

[@NineteenEighty8]

@@georgenero6402 yeah but they arent worth that much. you will never get your money back like you could with an original les paul or something.

[@raf475]

Great video! Thank you!!

[@Socializedbyantisocials]

I want them all!

[@FJness]

great intro

[@Hammersmash3dFace]

Very nice new ideas. I most liked the Stradi basses(as bassplayer) ;)

[@Jimjolnir]

Just wow. I wish I was at that show to fiddle around with those guitars. All very interesting!

[@whatdaro]

Awesome video, production, footage and information top notch. I'm glad to have found your channel. Thank you for creating such great content.

[@stewmac]

Much appreciated!

[@foggyblues13]

This was a great video. Thank you.

[@rcnyoplait]

Great video!!!

[@bobbynovakovic6122]

This is great, but would really liked to have heard them too.

[@uelssom]

amazing video and interviews

[@stewmac]

Thanks so much!

[@Johnnybananass-_]

as a touring guitar tech that had my hands on tens of thousands of guitars over the decades with my favourites, I can say not all of those designer's styles resonate with me to want to play say in a band situation, BUT I am so over the moon they are doing what they are doing with passion and ingenuity pushing the guitar in new directions with new and recycled materials and with bold shapes and new features,. if I were a millionaire, I'd rather buy one of all of these to hang on a wall as talking pieces - than invest in a 58 Les Paul. these are true works of art, In the beginning, guitars were designed in a very functional and rudimentary way. now, these designers are coming at it from far left field and with such an openness to just do what's in their head, never have I seen a folded steel guitar, or the deconstruction series, id love to sit for a day just looking at all of these close-up and seeing where each luthier has pushed the envelope, Amazing work, truly magical pieces of design and imagination,

[@stewmac]

Thanks so much for the comment! It is inspiring to see what the luthiers of today are coming up with, and how the craft is evolving.

[@Marunius]

Wish we could also hear these.

[@stevepethel6843]

thanks. for a inspiring video...you are great person for all you post is interesting educational inspiring.thank God above for you and continued good work

[@Calbertone]

Great content and thought provoking guitars. Matsuda is a genius

[@rhk4680]

I only have luthier guitars, I love having unique pieces

[@kirabarsmith9353]

Impressive builders to say the least, very creative.

[@luisdardis5223]

EXCELLENT.

[@TheMjphoto45]

Movable and changeable pickups.... wow

[@JayKughan]

Super interesting stuff. I've seen minimal coverage of maybe 1-2 brands on this list. Thanks for putting a list together. Cheers..

[@stewmac]

Thanks for watching!

[@corvusmonedulas4895]

great video but a brief sound demo for each would make it 10x better

[@benleydon]

You know I never realised/knew what NAMM stood for , lol

[@zoomzoom3950]

The Sankey archtops are very interesting though I'd want nothing attached to the top except the bridge (which should not be mounted, only held in place by string tension) like traditional archtops. No pickup or floating neck pickup and controls mounted to the floating pickguard (attached to the side; floating tailpiece also attached to the side. These are a great start, looking forward to more.

[@RodCalidge]

All good and well from the design/engineering end, however, I would prefer to hear them being played.

[@FriendM2010]

Inspiring! Thanks for sharing! Funny, I’ve lived in same house 30 years, apparently, I have been practicing “Mottainai” very very well…. 🤓🤥🤭🥳👍

[@ofershragay]

Amazing

[@master00booya]

Matsuda is a monster!

[@zeusapollo8688]

Awesome

[@TheFakeNewsFrog]

2:43 The city of AutoWah? Damn, I bet that had an effect on your playing style…

[@molekyyli]

Great video, very interesting!

[@stewmac]

Thanks for watching!

[@abouc]

Were there any bass builders in the boutique guitar showcase? That would have been nice to see highlighted in this video.

[@cheatsheet3325]

When I find myself in California,/Sampling boutique luthierie,/At Robin Stummvoll's table,/Letter B.

[@nickg1307]

Those Ava guitars looked sweet.

[@TheMjphoto45]

Mariposa = butterfly

[@iunnox666]

Would have been nice to hear them. The sound is the most important part.

[@parkerhatcher224]

Michihiro has built some BEAUTIFUL pieces! Wow! I also couldn’t believe how much I loved those carbon fibre guitars! I’ve never been a fan of those, but I would absolutely bring a few into the studio or onto the stage if they looked like that. Spectacular builders, all of them. VERY impressed with the bent, sheet metal guitars! A bit of a novelty, but there are indie artists all over that would jump at the chance to own something as cool, and as unique as those beasts. Thank you for sharing! Hopefully I’ll get around to seeing the next show in person. Take care! Ps. Love your products! Has really helped me exceed my own expectations of myself as a guitarist and luthier. From East Coast Canada 🌊 🇨🇦!- Parker

[@stewmac]

Thanks so much for the comment, Parker! We really appreciate that.

[@davidmurray9193]

Loved the meraphosia headless but I bet they cost more than I can save lol "if you have to ask you can't afford"

[@Bleats_Sinodai]

2:42 Hank Green?!?

[@dyzzee7861]

New ghost drive is the best centaur clone ever made

[@stewmac]

Thanks!

[@tribulationcoming]

WOW!!!!!!!

[@LukeZalvino]

i saw that sheet metal one in an article and it seems like some brilliant innovations but it looks like when u would try to play up high on fret board you wouldnt be able to

[@penguindrum264]

Imagine is Ava made a headless guitar. I feel like he would make a gorgeous headless.

[@stockholm1752]

When Leo Fender *invented* (don’t argue) the electric guitar, he manufactured every single component. Any decent craftsperson can make wood and materials look good, but it’s more impressive if that also expresses innovative engineering and functional improvements. Some great ideas here that go beyond slapping on a Gibson style bridge or a set of Schaller tuners. Time will tell.

[@heneverreturnasahorse9773]

Very nice and I appreciate their incredible talent. Still, it is hard to imagine anyone creating the other-wordly level of innovation Steinberger, Klein, Parker, and to a lesser extent Teuffle (spelling?) and Troussart (Spelling"), developed. Still wish someone would sell Klein-style bodies for today's wealth of replacement necks. I had planned to try making my own, but I lost most of my vision after retirement and that has become a faded memory.

[@dvkerner96]

Check out Forshage guitars. Chris Forshage makes a Klein-esque guitar called the "Orion". It is a great instrument, might be what you're looking for!

[@calinguga]

i don't know, it just sounds like you're gatekeeping

[@schorrguitars]

Fiiiiiiirrrreeeeeee!

[@johnstorace1967]

The sheet metal Taco shell guitar.......how are you supposed to access the fretboard?

[@ramrocker1004]

Hello, sir. Is it ok to use an NGR penetrating wood stain on an acoustic guitar? I have bought one online but I'm worried it could muffle my guitar or something. The plan is to stain both fretboard and body and then apply clear lacquer top coat on the body. Got a pretty old spruce top mahogany back and sides here which sounds great but badly needs refurbishing

[@fdre3wsd]

Cooooool

[@jas_bataille]

They're all great, but Spohn guitars look like something I should be paying to see in a museum. It's hard to top....! And electric carbon fiber guitars is brilliant. It makes much more sense than acoustic guitars in this material. Ava is gonna go far, I can see a lot of touring guitarists touring to this kind of instrument in my position as a sound engineer. As for Verso guitars, the look isn't gonna be everyone cup of tea but as a studio guitar the possibilities seems enormous! And Matsuda is a master of course.

[@GUIDESPERSPECTIVE]

Awesome video, but sadly, we didn't get to here any of them.

[@morrisjvan]

Some neat ideas but unfortunatly most guitarists think that guitar technoledgy peaked in 1956 and just don't want to know.

[@lebe220]

Ebony acoustic? Must sound good. My ebony guitarlele sure does.

[@atakdragonfly1675]

That blue carbon fiber Ava guitar was awesome... Without the gold for me though.

[@anagonz4887]

Hello sir try to visit elegee custom guitar builder here in philippnes

[@V_Dgt]

until we hear how these products sound, they remain objects of furniture design

[@xilpes6254]

I've seen the b shaped guitars being played, the moveable pickups actually work