Dave Bertoncini Guitars The Art of Making Guitars by Hand

The
Art of Making Guitars by Hand

I am often asked why I build instruments one at a time by hand. The answer is actually quite simple-I love to work with wood and tools. I also love guitars and guitar music.

There is also a more complete, and more complex answer to the question. The initial impulse to build my guitars grew out of dissatisfaction with the quality and feel of assembly-line instruments. I believe that the essential element missing is the intimate interaction of a single craftsman with both the player and the materials throughout the entire process of creating a fine acoustic instrument. This does not mean that I think "factory" instruments (whether from large or small factories) are inferior, rather, instruments made by a single craftsperson are unique, and that uniqueness is valuable to many guitar players and it is a choice, which should be available to anyone looking for a fine, handcrafted instrument. Another essential feature of the handcrafted instrument is that it can be carefully tailored to the individual buyer-customized, if you will.

I like to work to maintain the connection between myself, my customer, and the guitars I build, and to continually improve the quality and appearance of my instruments. I hope, and believe, that my instruments speak for themselves as to the quality of my work. Lest one get too enamored of the handcrafted mystique, I will admit that I use power tools whenever I can to improve the quality of the instrument.

I make only one quality of guitar-the best that I can make. I use only the finest solid woods available and painstakingly assemble them into fine guitars. In this web site you will see a variety of models and decorative options, and some of them are very expensive. These elements do not increase, or decrease, the care and craftsmanship that goes into each of my instruments.

If you are interested in my guitars, I encourage you to call and we can talk about any questions you have. I love to talk to my customers about guitars, and there is no way that I can fully describe them in print, much less anticipate the questions you may have. I am willing to consider almost any option or variation you might want-there are some examples on these pages. Other options such as custom shapes, different scale lengths, custom neck size and contour, and a wide variety of wood choices, are only limited by your imagination and your willingness to pay me for my efforts to produce for you the finest in an acoustic work of art that will last a lifetime!

For More Information Contact

Bertoncini Stringed Instruments
Attn: Dave Bertoncini
3700 14th Avenue S.E. # 53
Olympia, Washington 98501

360-491-5051

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