Yearbook 2017

The European Guitar Builders association (EGB) is an alliance formed by professional independent European luthiers. It was founded with the goal of organizing the independent luthiers, as well as people related to the field of guitar building, all across Europe.

Why was the EGB founded?The aim was twofold: to create a community dedicated to the support of luthiers and their work all across Europe and to increase the visibility of the art and craft of guitar building in a larger public forum.

In 2012 a small group of European luthiers got together at the Montreal Guitar Show. There had been many intense discussions about the fact that there were no congenial platforms to present their work in Europe, especially for electric guitar builders. So this group of originally 6 luthiers together with 4 others decided to actively pursue the idea of an international organization and a special guitar exhibition. The EGB was founded as a European-wide organization and the groundwork of what was to become The Holy Grail Guitar Show was started.

In May 2013 the registration of the association ‘The European Guitar Builders, e.V.’ was confirmed, and the first edition of The Holy Grail Guitar Show was held successfully in Berlin in 2014.

New friendships, collaborations, information sharing and intense networking across the continent have changed the face of European lutherie. In addition to organizing The Holy Grail Guitar Show in Berlin, the EGB has initiated several projects, such as the the EGB Symposium, the Local Wood Challenge and the EGB Community Build, and has supported the increased attention to handcrafted ‘boutique’ guitars at larger trade shows and events.

Scan this to find a luthier near you!

There are rumors that the electric guitar is dying. Well, we don’t happen to think so. Yes, there are deep changes happening in today’s world and the music scene. Some of the large companies are struggling, that is true, but we also see many areas where the guitar is alive and well, with young players (many of them female) passionate about the instrument, charting new paths, creating new sounds and songs. And as small builders we share that passion - and we are able to move nimbly with the times, to offer today’s musician the service and personal attention the industry can’t.

What makes a luthier-built guitar so special?

Of course, the quality, the personal attention and the nearly limitless possibilities are certainly factors. But above all it is the people - luthiers love making your dreams come true and the process of buying or having a custom instrument built for you is something special.

It’s now been just over 4 years since the EGB came into being, but we can already look back on this time with a deep sense of accomplishment. Simply put, the creation of this grass roots association has been a watershed event for small builders all across Europe. We now have 135 full members in 20 countries. Starting with the inception of The Holy Grail Guitar Show in Berlin in 2014, followed by the EGB Symposium and various community projects, the EGB has had a significant impact on the European guitar building scene and has become a vital part of many luthier’s lives.

This first yearbook offers a brief introduction to our activities and to our members. Here you find guitar makers ready to work with you to create that very special instrument for you. Visit with us and see what the world of handmade guitars has to offer - quality, sustainability, inventiveness and above all boundless love and joy for the instrument and the music it helps make.

Michael Spalt, EGB President, 2017

The EGB Manifesto• The tradition of lutherie is a rich legacy with knowledge accumulated over

centuries. We want to preserve this, but also carry it forward, expand it through innovation and the exchange of ideas and culture.

• We want to foster a sense of community among practitioners of our craft. As a community we are dedicated to support each other by sharing knowledge, resources, and experience in order to preserve and innovate the art and craft of guitar building in Europe as a vital part of our musical culture.

• We strive to support musicians in expressing and developing their art through collaborating closely with them.

• We want to promote sustainable development, ecologic awareness and economic growth in an ethical way. A major goal is to educate consumers about the values they support by their choices and how this impacts the goals of the association.

• Our intention is to educate the public about what differentiates a handcrafted instrument from a factory product, and why the expense of buying such an instrument is justified. We want to raise public awareness about the impact their purchase has on issues regarding the environment, endangered woods, fair wages and the fabric of our society.

• We stand for responsible conduct in regards to the environment, and for a sustainable way of creating instruments of enduring value. We want to contribute to a life of entirety, instead of participating in the ruthless exploitation of resources and people for the sake of profit margins.

THE HOLY GRAIL GUITAR SHOW is certainly the largest ongoing project, with its 4th edition scheduled for May 5th and 6th, 2018 in Berlin. 135 invited luthiers present the highlights of their art and craft to the public; and a 2-day program of lectures and demo concerts as well as a sales table offering books recommended by the EGB BOOK CLUB (www.europeanguitarbuilders.com/book-club/) offers much to the interested visitor. More information about the Show online at: www.holygrailguitarshow.com

What we do:

The EGB SYMPOSIUM is an annual event for EGB members and guests, bringing together the community for networking, discussions, the sharing of knowledge, and connecting with each other both professionally and socially.

The EGB COMMUNITY BUILDS were started at the 2017 EGB Symposium and will be presented to the public at The HGGS 2018. 3 guitars and 3 musicians – one acoustic, one electric, and a bass are being created by groups of luthiers for three players with the goal to show how custom instruments are made, allow the public glimpses into workshops all over Europe, and witness the creation of unique pieces of high craftsmanship from start to finish.

ANDREA BALLARINMANNE GUITARSITALYwww.manne.com/

NIKOLA ADAMOVICADAMOVICNETHERLANDSwww.adamovic.nl/

KEVIN ARAMARAM GUITARSUNITED KINGDOMwww.aramguitars.co.uk

TED ASTRANDÅSTRAND GUITARS(COSMOLOGY AB)SWEDENwww.astrandguitars.com

SETH BACCUSSETH BACCUS GUITARSPORTUGALwww.sethbaccus.com/

ARON BACHTULI BASSESFINLANDwww.tulibass.com

RUDOLF BACHMANNBACHMANN GUITARS& TONEWOODITALYwww.bachmann-guitars.com

CSABA BENEDEKFIBENARE GUITARSHUNGARYwww.fibenare-guitars.com

RALPH BONTEARRENBIEGUITARSBELGIUMwww.arrenbieguitars.be

WOUT BOSMADE LUTHIERSNETHERLANDSwww.deluthiers.nl

PIERRICK BRUAPIERRICK BRUA GUITARSFRANCEwww.bruaguitars.com/

DANIEL CABEZASBACCE CUSTOMGUITARS & BASSESSPAINwww.bacceguitars.com

FULVIO CAPPELLIACOUSTIC LIUTERIAITALYwww.acousticliuteria.com

JOHANNES AULYAULY GUITARSAUSTRIAwww.aulyguitars.wordpress.com/

Who we are: 2017 membersIn addition, by inviting three female players to be part of this project we want to draw attention to the fact that women are still very under-represented in our profession and the musical industry in general. More information and updates online atwww.europeanguitarbuilders.com/cb-projects/ or join the community on Facebook!

THE LOCAL WOOD CHALLENGE was created for The HGGS 2016 and focuses on educating the public about the advantages of using local and non-tropical woods by challenging guitar builders to make special instruments out of woods local to their area. Instruments conforming to the requirements can be registered and receive the LWC sign. www.europeanguitarbuilders.com/local-wood-challenge/

THE YOUTH BUILD was started at the same time to develop guitars to be built with and for children.

THE HISTORICAL PROJECT remem-bers guitar makers and instruments that should not be forgotten by presenting a special exhibit at The HGGS. www.europeanguitarbuilders.com/egb-historical-project/

ADVOCACY. The EGB is also involved in ongoing CITES initiatives to pro-vide both luthiers and the public with information as well as support changes to the regulations simplify-ing traveling and dealing with instru-ments.

ALAN CRINGEANAC GUITARSUNITED KINGDOMwww.acguitars.co.uk

ANDREAS CUNTZCUNTZ-GUITARSGERMANYwww.cuntz-guitars.de/

MAURIZIO CUZZOLINGREAT OWL GUITARSITALYwww.greatowlguitars.com

NICO DAYETGUITARS & CIE STEPINHUTFRANCEwww.lutherie-guitare.fr/

SANDER DE GIERDE GIER GUITARS & BASSESNETHERLANDSwww.degierguitars.com/

PETER DE SMETPDS GUITARSNETHERLANDSwww.pdsguitars.nl

GIJS DE WITDE WIT GUITARSNETHERLANDSwww.dewitguitars.com

FRANK DEIMELDEIMEL GUITARWORKSGERMANYwww.deimelguitarworks.de/

ENRICO DIDONATODI DONATO GUITARSITALYwww.didonatoguitars.it/

MEIK DOBBRATZLE FAYGERMANYwww.lefay.de

REINER DOBBRATZLE FAYGERMANYwww.lefay.de

CHRISTIAN DÖRRGITARRENBAUMEISTER C. D.GERMANYwww.gitarren-service.de

PIERRE DUBRÉDUBRÉ GUITARSDENMARKwww.dubreguitars.com

SIMONE COLOMBOLIUTERIA ACUSTICA COLOMBOITALYwww.liuteriacolombo.it

FRANK DE HAANDE HAAN GUITARSNETHERLANDSwww.dehaanguitars.nl

MARTIN EBNERFANT GUITARSAUSTRIAwww.fant-guitars.com

GÜNTER EYBEYB GUITARSGERMANYwww.eyb-guitars.eu

TONI FAYOS JOVERAFJ CUSTOM GUITARSSPAINwww.afjguitars.com

DANIELE FIERROJACARANDA GUITARS(LIUTERIA ARTIGIANA JACARANDA)ITALYwww.jacaranda.it/en/

HANS GEERDINKJHG GUITARSNETHERLANDSwww.jhgguitars.nl

BERT GERECHTHOT WIRE BASSGERMANYwww.hotwire-bass.de

CHRISTOPHE GRELLIERGRELLIER GUITARSFRANCEwww.grellier.fr/

JEFF GUILFORDJJ GUITARSUNITED KINGDOMwww.jjguitars.com/

OTTO HALABICAHALABICA GUITARSSLOVAK REPUBLIChalabicaguitars.com

THORSTEN HANSHANS GUITARS & REPAIRGERMANYwww.hansguitars.com

FRANK HARTUNGFRANK HARTUNG GUITARSGERMANYwww.hartung-guitars.com

RICHARD HEERESHEERES CUSTOM GUITARSNETHERLANDSwww.heeresguitars.nl

EMANUELE FAGGIONONIRICA GUITARSITALYwww.oniricaguitars.com

GÁBOR GOLDSCHMIDTFIBENARE GUITARSHUNGARYwww.fibenare-guitars.com

LUIS GUERRERO MARTINEZLUIS GUERRERO GUITARSSPAINwww.luisguerreroguitars.com

PIERRE-MARIE CHÂTEAUNEUFPMC GUITARSFRANCEwww.pmcguitars.com

GERARD CHATELIERCHATELIER FRERESFRANCEwww.chatelierfreres.com

NIK HUBERNIK HUBER GUITARSGERMANYwww.nikhuber-guitars.de

ØYSTEIN HUSEMOENØ. HUSEMOENS GITARMAKERI, NORWEGIAN WOOD SERIESNORWAYwww.norwegianwoodseries.com

CHRISTIAN JABLONSKIJABLONSKIAUSTRIAwww.jablonski-guitars.at

JOHN JOVENIAUXTAO GUITARSBY JOHN & SERGEBELGIUMwww.taoguitars.com/

KULDAR KALLUSTEKALLUSTE GUITARSESTONIAkitarrikliinik.ee

BASTIAN KANBACHZEAL GUITARS // BASTIANKANBACH & OLIVER REICH GBRGERMANYwww.zeal-guitars.com

ANDREAS KRISTALLKRISTALLGERMANYwww.kristallbass.com

DANIEL KUPPELSREDEMPTION GUITARGERMANYwww.redemtion-guitars.de

GRAZIANO LANDONILEGNO&CORDE GUITARSITALYwww.legnoecorde.com

PAOLO LARDERABLACKBEARD GUITARSITALYwww.chitarrebarbanera.it

CHRIS LARKINCHRIS LARKIN CUSTOMGUITARSIRELANDwww.chrislarkinguitars.com

CHRISTOPHE LEDUCLEDUC GUITARSFRANCEwww.leduc.fr

PETER LEWISLEWIS GUITAR WORKSUNITED KINGDOMwww.lewisguitarworks.com

METE CEM KUZUNOVACORDA GUITARSTURKEYwww.novacorda.com

JUHA LOTTONENLOTTONEN GUITARS OYFINLANDwww.lottonen.com

STIJN KENENSSTIJN KENENS LUTHIERBELGIUMwww.skluthier.be

ARI-JUKKA “A-J” LUOMARANTAAJL GUITARSFINLANDwww.ajl-guitars.com/

ANDY MANSONANDY MANSON CUSTOM GUITARSPORTUGALwww.andymanson.com* HONORARY MEMBER

GERALD MARLEAUXMARLEAUX BASS GUITARSGERMANYwww.marleaux-bass.com

DANIEL MEIERDANOU GUITARSSWITZERLANDwww.danou-guitars.ch

JOSEP MELO I VALLSMELO GUITARSSPAINwww.meloguitars.com

MATTIAS MEYERBASSARTGERMANYwww.bassartguitars.de

ADRIAN LUCASA.J. LUCAS LUTHIERUNITED KINGDOMwww.lucasguitars.co.uk

CARLOS ROBERTO MICHELUTTIMICHELUTTIS INSTRUMENTSITALYwww.micheluttis.com

SERGE MICHIELSTAO GUITARSBY JOHN & SERGEBELGIUMwww.taoguitars.com/

DARKO MILOJEVICLEO GUITARSGERMANYwww.leoguitars.com

DETLEF MOEWSPIMP MY GUITAR CUSTOMGUITAR AND REPAIR SHOPGERMANYwww.pimpmyguitar.de

FLORIAN LÜTTKEUNICUT GUITARSGERMANYwww.unicutguitars.com

JOAQUIN MARCOMARCO GUITARS & BASSSPAINwww.marcoguitarsbass.com

GEORGE LOWDENGEORGE LOWDEN GUITARSUNITED KINGDOMwww.lowdenguitars.com/george-lowden-luthier

MICHAEL HOBBSMICHAEL HOBBS GUITARSUNITED KINGDOM

JORT HEIJENRED LAYER GUITARSNETHERLANDSwww.redlayerguitars.com

GIULIO NEGRININEGRINI GUITARS - LIUTERIA GNGSWITZERLANDwww.liuteriagng.com

ANDREAS NEUBAUERNEUBAUER GUITARSAUSTRIAwww.neubauerguitars.com/

KARI NIEMINENVERSOUL LTD.FINLANDwww.versoul.com

RAUNO NIEMINENTMI RAUNO NIEMINENFINLANDwww.raunonieminen.com* HONORARY MEMBER

THOMAS OCHSOCHS GITARRENBAUGERMANYwww.ochs-gitarrenbau.de

ARI-PEKKA “A-P” PAASONENAP PAASONEN (JASESOI)FINLANDwww.jasesoi.fi

CLAUDIO PAGELLIPAGELLISWITZERLANDwww.pagelli.com/

FRÉDÉRIC PONSKOPO GUITARSFRANCEwww.kopoguitare.com

MARCO PONTILLOBO-ONE GUITARSITALYwww.bo-one.it

TORSTEN PREUSSPREUSS GUITARSGERMANYwww.preussguitars.de

FABIO RAGGHIANTIFABIO RAGGHIANTIITALYwww.ragghianti.com

MAGNUS RAMELMAGNUS RAMEL INLAY WORKS(MARAMU)SWEDENwww.mrinlay.com

JOSE RAMOSRAMOS GUITARSSPAINwww.ramosguitars.com

ERMANNO PASQUALATOHERRMANN GUITARSITALYwww.weissenbornguitar.com

MIKE PAYNESTONE WOLF GUITARSUNITED KINGDOMwww.stonewolfguitars.com

ALEJANDRO RAMIREZO3 GUITAR & BASSSPAINwww.o3custom.com

EGON RAUSCHERSOULTOOL CUSTOMIZEDGUITARS SWITZERLANDSWITZERLANDwww.soultool.com

FERDINAND RIKKERSRIKKERS GUITARS & BASSESNETHERLANDSwww.rikkersguitars.com

JENS RITTERJENS RITTER INSTRUMENTSGERMANYwww.ritter-instruments.com

FRANCISCO RODRÍGUEZFRANFRETSPAINwww.franfret.net

JUHA RUOKANGASRUOKANGAS GUITARSFINLANDwww.ruokangas.com/

NOEMI SCHEMBRINOEMI GUITARSITALYwww.noemiguitars.com

UWE SCHÖLCHTONFUCHS GUITARSGERMANYwww.tonfuchs.com

GERHARD SCHWARZSCHWARZ CUSTOM GUITARSGERMANYwww.schwarz-custom.de

FABIAN SCHWEIGERFABGUITARSBELGIUMwww.facebook.com/fabguitars

JUHA RINNELOTTONEN GUITARS OYFINLANDwww.lottonenguitars.com

SEBASTIEN SANTILLISAN LORENZO GUITARSFRANCEwww.sanlorenzoguitars.com

LARS RASMUSSENRASMUSSEN GUITARSSWEDENwww.rasmussenguitars.com

JULIEN ROUREWILD CUSTOMSFRANCEwww.wildcustomguitars.com

RENATO RUATTINOE’ SASITALYwww.noahguitars.com

HILKO NACKAERTSHILKO GUITARSBELGIUMhttp://HilkoGuitars.com

MASSIMILIANO MONTEROSSOMAXMONTE GUITARSITALYwww.maxmonte.com

ADRIANO SERGIOERGON GUITARSPORTUGALwww.ergonguitars.com

SALVADOR SORIANOGREYHOUND GUITARSSPAINwww.greyhoundguitars.com

MICHAEL SPALTSPALT INSTRUMENTSAUSTRIAwww.spaltinstruments.com/

MIKAËL SPRINGERSPRINGER GUITARSFRANCEwww.springerguitars.com/

CHRISTIAN STOLLSTOLL GUITARSGERMANYwww.stollguitars.de

MARIO STRUGERS82 INSTRUMENTSAUSTRIAwww.s82instruments.com/home.html

JACCO STUITJERIKKERS GUITARS & BASSESNETHERLANDSwww.rikkersguitars.com

ULRICH TEUFFELTEUFFELGERMANYwww.teuffel.com/

ANDREAS THIEMANNT.MAN GUITARSGERMANYwww.tman-guitars.de

ANGELO VAN MERRIENBOERPANUCCINETHERLANDSwww.panucci.nl

PETER VANDAELVANDAEL GUITARBELGIUMwww.vandaelguitar.be

MARCO OMAR VIOLAM.O.V.GUITARSITALYwww.movguitars.com

OLLI VIITASAARIVIITASAARI INSTRUMENTSFINLANDwww.viitasaariguitars.com

DIEGO VILADIEGO VILA GUITARRAS Y BAJOS CUSTOMSPAINwww.guitars.diegovila.com

GUNNAR ÖRN SIGURDSSONORN CUSTOM GUITARSICELANDwww.ornguitars.is

RAINER TAUSCHTAUSCH ELECTRIC GUITARSGERMANYwww.tausch-guitars.com/

SAKU VUORIVUORENSAKUFINLANDwww.vuorensaku.fi

KAI WAHLBRINKWAHLBRINKGERMANYwww.custom-instruments.com/

JENS WALTERSAITENREITERGERMANYwww.saitenreiter.com

RÜDIGER ZIESEMANNBASSLINE BASSESGERMANYwww.bassline-bass.de

JACKY WALRAETATELIER JACKY WALRAETBELGIUMwww.sites.google.com/site/jackywalraet

MATHIEU WATEAUWATEAU GUITARSGERMANYwww.wateauguitars.com

ROMAN VON HIRSCHMANNHIRSCHMANN GUITARSGERMANYwww.hirschmann-guitars.com

FABIANO SCUFFILIUTERIA FABIANO SCUFFIITALYwww.liuteriafabianoscuffi.it

MARTIN SEELIGERLAKEWOOD GUITARS GMBHGERMANYwww.lakewood-guitars.com

EMMA ELFTORPFINLAND* FOUNDING/HONORARY MEMBER

KORA JÜNGERGERMANY* FOUNDING/HONORARY MEMBER

DIETER ROESBERGGERMANY* HONORARY MEMBER

GRIT LASKINCANADA* HONORARY MEMBER

TANIA SPALTAUSTRIA* FOUNDING/HONORARY MEMBER

For the list of Support Members please visitwww.europeanguitarbuilders.com/support-members-individuals/

The European Guitar Builders e. V.

Wirtschaftsweg 515377 Märkische Höhe, OT Ringenwalde

Vereinsreg. VR32372B

Phone: +43 1 8903915office@europeanguitarbuilders.comwww.europeanguitarbuilders.com

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