Boutique
The soul of modern guitar-making.
Call them boutique. Call them independent. Either way, they’ve become one of the most exciting corners of the modern instrument world.
Focused innovation.
Boutique builders operate in a space that blends traditional luthiery with focused innovation. They may not have global scale or massive marketing machines behind them, but what they do have is vision, and the hands-on experience to bring it to life.
Many of today’s most sought-after boutique builders got their start as expert repair techs, vintage restoration experts, builders for iconic brands, or worked in other related fields before stepping out on their own to chase a more personal approach.
Barry Grzebik, Grez Guitars
Tone. Feel. Quality.
Thanks in part to social media platforms like Instagram, we’ve seen an explosion of interest over the last decade in instruments that fall outside the realm of the mass-produced brands.
These are guitars built not by factory lines, but by small companies and solo luthiers who prioritize tone, feel, and quality above all else - and ones we’ve championed since the very beginning.
Nik Huber, Huber Guitars
Personal Connection.
We’ve owned, played, sold, and spec’d thousands of boutique guitars over the years, and we’re proud to work with some of the best in the business, from the one-person shops to the small independent teams building for themselves and players, not shareholders.
These are instruments made for connoisseurs and curious players alike - anyone who’s searching for something a little more soulful, a little more expressive, a little more human.
Tom Ellis, Ellis Mandolins
Steve Carr, Carr Amplifiers
Richard Hoover, Santa Cruz Guitar Co.
Ryan Navey, Carolina Banjo Co.