2022 BC LUTHIERS
ALBERICO GUITAR, BC
Fabrizio Alberico, Luthier
albericoguitar.com
Lutherie is in my name, and in my blood.
I'm not sure my parents knew it, but as soon as they named me, they created a woodworker. What else could I be, given that Fabrizio means "craftsman" and Alberico means "tree"? And since my Grandmother was a D’Addario of the famous string-making family, you could say I was destined to become a luthier.
THE DUNCANAFRICA SOCIETY, BC
Jay Duncan, Luthier
duncanafrica.com
The DuncanAfrica Society has been teaching the fine art of guitar building since 2007 in Mpigi, Uganda, East Africa under the direction of luthier Jay Duncan. Building since 1992, Jay spent seven years with Larrivee Guitars before branching out on his own, building mostly acoustic guitars. He has a passion for simple design, fine woods and has recently started taking custom orders again - using a fantastic assortment of beautiful woods gathered from all four corners of creation. When he is not in the shop, he can be found spending time with family.
FUNSTON GUITARS, BC
Bernard Funston, Luthier
www.funstoncustomguitars.com
Bernard Funston has been building guitars for about 20 years. His repertoire includes mandolins and flamenco, classical, steel string acoustic, solid body and hollow body electric guitars. Funston instruments have made their way into the hands of musicians all over the world. In September 2011 a Funston guitar, commissioned by the University of the Arctic to promote Arctic dialogue and cooperation. In 2020 two Funston mandolins were included in the nine instruments produced from paulownia for the President Carter Legacy Collection. Funston’s work has been showcased in guitar shows, winning the People's Choice Award at the Ottawa Guitar Show in 2014.
HALCYON GUITARS, BC
Ed Bond, Luthier
halcyonguitars.com
Facebook: @halcyonguitars
Instagram: @halcyonguitars
Ed Bond is a luthier based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He combines 25+ years of guitar building experience with a well trained ear to create two lines of high quality acoustic guitars. Halcyon Guitars feature elegant and minimalist construction, honouring the natural beauty of their raw materials, and focusing all efforts on tone and playability. Tinker Guitars elevate this philosophy by adding rare woods and intricate details that highlight Bond’s woodworking skills. Both product lines showcase the fundamental purpose of acoustic guitars by putting their sound quality front and centre.
HARMS GUITARS, BC
Joshua Harms, Luthier
www.harmsguitars.com
Facebook: @Harms Guitars
Instagram: @harmsguitars
Specializing in custom handmade headless electric guitars, Harms Guitars combines the finest hardwoods, electronics, and hardware to make each build a unique and inspiring tool for the modern musician.
JOE YOUNG GUITARS, BC
Joe Young, Luthier
www.joeyoungguitars.ca
An independent luthier situated on Vancouver Island. I love building guitars! Each guitar tells a story. Sharing those stories brings me joy!
Today, I continue to cherish my time spent on creating one of a kind guitars and am excited to share my newest addition
“Dirty White Lie” crafted from white Holly wood and Black Walnut. She’s a beauty!"""
JOI GUITARS, BC
Reuben Forsland, Luthier
joiguitars.com
Reuben Forsland is well-known for his respect of traditional building methods, yet is always exploring new design and concepts through the use of storied, rare and exotic woods and materials. His philosophy of building a great guitar extends to lives of the people it will touch through passion, inspiration and music .
LONE TREE GUITARS, BC
Steve Doreen, Luthier
lonetreeguitars.com
Someone once told Steve Doreen of Lone Tree guitars, that tradition is 90% bad habit. He took that to heart and set out to make guitars and ukuleles that sound, play, and feel amazing without just replicating the past. Living among some of the last old growth trees on Vancouver island Steve has a passion for sustainability and it shows through in both his business practices and wood choices. If your looking for a beautiful, thoughtful and unique instrument look no further, Steve delivers.
MAE LUTHERIE, BC
Lee Hyldig, Luthier
maelutherie.com
Facebook: @mae.lutherie.3
Instagram: @lee_hyldig_maelutherie_
Lee Hyldig is a new luthier with an old soul who studied under well established luthiers Robert Anderson and Steve Doreen. Lee works under the company name Mae Lutherie which is named after his daughter. Lee is best known for his light weight responsive finger style guitars that are built in a very traditional way using technics pass down by generations of successful luthiers. He often builds with very old woods and strongly believe in the value of using hot hide and French polish to pull every last ounce of tone and responsiveness out of his finely crafted instruments. One must play a “Mae” to truly understand his vision.
MCNAMEE GUITARS, BC
John McNamee, Luthier
www.johnmcnamee.ca
As a music lover and woodworker I tried my hand at building an acoustic guitar in 1982 by book instruction. In 1985 I enrolled in the Douglas College stringed instrument construction program under the tutelage of Michael Dunn. Classical, steel-string, multi-string, baritone, bass, ukulele. Each instrument is constructed with various woods, inlays, finishes, resulting in unique creations of appearance, sound and playability.r the instruction of Michael Dunn. John has built a variety of over 70 instruments over the years, and is also a songwriter and musician.
MACPHERSON GUITARS, BC
Dan MacPherson, Luthier
www.macphersonguitars.com
Facebook: @macphersonguitars
Instagram: @macphersonguitars
A professional Luthier since the early 90's, ghost builder and finisher for many well known British brands until 2010 when MacPherson Guitars was launched. The business relocated to the Okanagan Valley in 2016 where MacPherson Guitars continue to offer a range of high qaulity, hand made solid and semi solid electric guitars.
NICOLE ALOSINAC LUTHIERY, BC
Nicole Alosinac, Luthier
www.nicolealosinacluthiery.com
Facebook: @NicoleAlosinacLuthiery
Instagram: @nicolealosinacluthiery
Vancouver luthier Nicole Alosinac has extensive experience in acoustic and electric guitar and bass repair, violin restoration, and other stringed instruments including mandolin, ukulele, and banjo repair. All stringed instrument needs, from guitar setup and intonation adjustments, to violin repair and reconstruction, can be addressed by her skilled hands. Nicole Alosinac Luthiery was established in 2003.
PRESTIGE GUITARS, BC
www.prestigeguitars.com
Facebook: @prestigeguitars
Instagram: @prestigeguitars
From the start, Prestige set out to build guitars that are classic and timeless. From wood to components and all aspects of fit and finish, we maintain the utmost in quality. Now going into our 14th year, our award-winning line has rounded out to feature a full range of solid body and semi-hollow electrics, as well as hand carved acoustic guitars.
REIMER GUITARS, BC
Dave Reimer, Luthier
Facebook: @ReimerGuitars
Instagram: @reimerguitars
Dave Reimer makes instruments by hand in Vancouver, Canada. Reimer took apart and refinished his first electric bass at age 13, and since then he has combined bass playing with building and repairing instruments.
VIGILANT GUITARS, BC
Trevor Woodland, Luthier
www.vigilantguitars.com
Facebook: @VigilantGuitarist
Instagram: @vigilantguitars
Vigilant Guitars is based out of Victoria, BC and specializes in producing solid body electric guitars and basses. Our focus is in extended range, multi-scale and neck through construction with the utmost detail using exotic tone woods and complicated electronics. We take pride in using as many sustainable technologies as possible and supporting local manufacturers to bring our clients a truly unique West Coast product. We're always happy to talk shop and explore new ideas that give musicians the edge they need in practice, in the studio and on the stage.
WARREN MURFITT, BC
Warren Murfitt, Luthier
www.warrenmurfitt.com
Facebook: @MurfittGuitars
Instagram: @warrenmurfitt
Warren Murfitt was born in British Columbia and studied sculpture at the Emily Carr Institute of Art + Design. He has exhibited both nationally and internationally and has worked in the Crown Collection of Canada. He lives and works in Vancouver.
"I am a musician with a passion for anything in wood, building and playing the guitar.
I have worked as a treeplanter, carpenter, cabinet builder , artist and musician. What started out as a desire to build one tiny little Parlor guitar in the back room of my studio workshop, quickly took over my whole space, not to mention my life. Guitar parts and sawdust everywhere, washed down with a good dose of country music. I’m in heaven!
Brancusi and George Jones have been my inspiration.
I am a minimalist by nature and like tight, clean lines. No fancy inlays here but rather choice detailing designed to compliment the instrument and speak directly to its new owner.
I love to use reclaimed wood that I have salvaged locally. My new line of telecaster guitars, for example, are made from one piece of ancient reclaimed Douglas Fir. No glue line to deal with, just tone and old age.
I do like a good story and I value new client input into their instrument. Guitars should not only play a great tune, but tell a great story."