Custom Guitars, Luthiery & Guitar Building in Colorado

Every instrument that leaves the shop, whether it's a custom build, a repair, or a fresh setup, is his work from first cut to final setup, one guitar at a time. He specializes in steel string flattops rooted in traditional hand-built methods, careful wood selection, and a deep respect for acoustics. These are guitars for players who want more than a production instrument: fingerstyle soloists chasing a particular tonal character, singer-songwriters looking for a guitar that feels like an extension of their voice, collectors who appreciate fine tonewoods and the kind of craftsmanship that only comes from one pair of hands.

Beyond the bench, teaching has become as important as the construction. There's something that happens when a first-time builder hears the first notes from a guitar they made with their own hands, and Jay has made it his mission to put more people in that moment. He teaches in person at Red Rocks, online through one-on-one Luthiery Coach sessions, and on YouTube, where he shares the craft openly with builders at every level. No gatekeeping, no mystery. Just the real work of building great guitars, shown clearly and honestly from the first chisel cut to final setup.

On this site, you can browse available guitars, commission a build, book a session, or just start exploring. If you've ever wondered what it would feel like to play something made exactly for you, this is the place to find out.