We feel our core signature brands collectively represent the very finest bench-built instruments presently available in the “medium” production range (300 to 1800 instruments annually). In becoming more familiar with the comprehensive & extensive list of models offered, together with their individual voicing characteristics, we are able to draw upon each builder’s resources to offer literally hundreds of different model guitars, at the highest level of master craftsmanship & materials, for practically any playing style or purpose.
Perhaps biased in our goals, we believe that limiting our focus to a small number of select brands allows us to become intimately familiar and specialized in the individual design philosophy of each master luthier, from the evolution of their processes to their daily procedures. By devoting our entire staff & business resources to just a handful of core brands, we believe each member of our team can best serve our responsibilities as an authorized dealer, and in turn bring value to each individual customer.
In this endeavor Artisan Guitars is able to offer a broader inventory selection for each coveted brand, and we hope the best selection of custom instruments for you to choose from.
“Mass-Production vs. individually bench-built instruments”
In the past several years, the most well renowned production style builders have contacted us with offers to represent their companies. While perhaps enticing to consider, it would seem to require an exhaustive effort to attempt provision for a superior level of service with any one of these brands. We also find these larger companies have business objectives & needs which do not directly align with ours.
Our clientele have very specific needs, each in search of instruments that offer superior responsiveness, who seek the highest standards of workmanship and finish quality. They desire sonic excellence & playability, without the risk of searching dozens of instruments to find the single instrument which meets these standards. We have found these needs are best served through bench-built construction, where each wood set is hand selected, and each instrument individually voiced for maximum performance. These are the heirloom instruments our grandchildren will be playing 50 years from now.
“Bench-built medium production range vs. boutique builders”
We strongly support the ongoing study of lutherie, and have great admiration for the dedication of individual builders at all skill levels. Over the years, many of today’s finest boutique builders interned under the skilled hands of master luthiers Richard Hoover, Dana Bourgeois, & Bill Collings.
For clients who seek the personal attention & direct interaction with an individual builder, we recommend drawing upon the resources of dozens of builders within the marketplace who work directly with the public (as opposed to a dealer network). We have observed that those who are successful in this endeavor also similarly enjoy working directly with the individual player.
Artisan Guitars, defined…
Ultimately our goal is to match your needs and skills with the instrument that will best satisfy your expectations. We offer an exhaustive amount of personal attention to each customer to achieve this goal. Our promise is to answer every question to the best of our knowledge, and spare the typical salesmanship practices of the marketplace. In most instances our efforts lead to rewarding, long term personal relationships with musicians all around the world.
These statements best define our culture, and who we are! If you are looking for hallmark customer service, honest advice combined with a high level of expertise, you’ve come to the right place.