Guitar Luthier in Reading, PA
A guitar luthier, or guitar maker, uses his hands and tools to turn wood into stringed instruments. Luthiers are often divided into makers of instruments that are strummed or plucked, such as guitars, and makers of instruments that are bowed, such as violins and cellos.
Fegley Instruments & Bows in Reading, PA, offers a fine selection of new handmade stringed instruments and bows in a wide range of prices. Our master luthier, and Fegley’s owner, Joseph McDevitt, specializes in hand making and restoring violins, violas, cellos and guitars.
Trained at the prestigious North Bennet Street School in Boston, Joe has worked closely with both Marco Coppiardi, a master violin maker from Cremona, Italy, and Hans J. Nebel, a world-renowned violin restorer. Whether you are a student, a professional musician or a collector, he will match you with an instrument that will enable you to make beautiful music.
When you purchase a custom built acoustic guitar, you have the ability to customize the tone and playability of the instrument, as well as the dimensions and hardware. The tone can be shaped by the woods and body size and style of the instrument.
It can also be shaped by the thickness of the soundboard, the bridge, and by the pattern and carving of the braces. We can also tailor neck widths, tapers, thickness, profile and scale length to meet your needs.
Wood has to be selected to suit your unique requirements, and this calls for the expertise of a master luthier who has extensive experience with tonal woods.
Even when two pieces of wood come from the same tree, they can have different stiffness and weight that affect the tone of the guitar. This is something that is very difficult to evaluate in mass-produced instruments.
Many luthiers also incorporate innovative features in their guitars, such as carbon fiber, sound ports, arm rests, wedges, and adjustable necks. They may offer features that improve the structure and stability of the instrument or its ergonomics and playability. These things are not practical for assembly line manufacturers, but Fegley Instruments & Bows can optimize the guitar to your personal preferences with rigorous attention to detail.
Another big advantage of working with an independent luthier is that you will be communicating directly with the instrument’s maker throughout the process, enabling you to get exactly what you want from your guitar. This is rarely possible with large and small factories.
If you are looking for an expert guitar luthier who will take a personal interest in your specific needs and desires, consider Fegley Instruments & Bows. If you have a custom guitar that is almost perfect, we may be able to upgrade it to suit your needs. Whether it needs a set up or a full re-fret or restoration, talk to us about the available options. We offer an extensive collection of fine instruments and bows for everyone from professional orchestral musicians, to jazz, rock, country and world music artists, as well as students and amateurs in Reading, Allentown, New York and throughout the area.