The European Guitar Builders (EGB)

Sorry, our homepage is under construction. We are currently working on a new one!


EGB CREED

All EGB full members confirm their adherence to the EGB creed:
We, the European Guitar Builders (EGB), are an association of independent artisan guitar builders.
I and my fellow EGB members agree, through principles of friendship and mutual respect, to share knowledge and culture and establish mutual support through co-operation.

We stand for
Constantly refining the art of guitar building. An open-minded approach to learning. Fairness and honesty in business. Respect for the environment through the promotion of sustainability and minimising of waste. Promoting the culture of the instrument maker.

We will
Demonstrate trust, honesty and openness. Offer reliable instruments of high quality and value. Seek fair income/value for our work to maintain self respect and to support our community.

EGB Full Member Map

Use this map to find a guitar builder near you!

2024 Symposium

May 16 + 17 2024
"Sharing is Caring"
at Fiera Di Padua (Padua Convention Hall), Italy
2 days prior the Padua Guitar Show
https://www.guitarshow.it/

Costs: 50€ (including lunch pack and tea/coffee break)

Centred on the theme ‚Sharing is Caring’, this event invites our esteemed members and support members to come together to openly discuss aspects of our day-to-day lives as guitar makers. Delivered by guitar makers for guitar makers, this collective theme sets a firm foundation to discuss how we can share our knowledge to further grow our skills and develop ourselves inside our beloved craft.

The event is being held in conjunction with the world renowned Padua Guitar Show, and located in an iconic Italian city. The symposium will be held in the same venue as the guitar show two days prior to the show. Attendees are encouraged to consider exhibiting at the event after the symposium (but not required) and will be offered a space to safely store instruments before the show.

In relation to discussion topics, we think a symposium is best delivered enabling us to do what we do best – talking shop! So let’s get nerdy about production techniques and tonewood, debate the current state of the craft, listen to leading peers for inspiration and uncover new ways of doing things!

The format of the two days will be simple and straight forward, leaving time for deep discussions. The morning sessions will deliver seminars based on the popular ‚Pecha Kucha’ method. That means inviting you the attendees to bring along photos of the specific chosen topic to talk through in a quick delivery method and enticing a fast-moving but meaningful conversation. Topics will range from neck construction methods, finding your unique selling point to alternative wood selection and many more!

Afternoons will be a little more formalized but will all still be presented by our members, or invited key speakers. Sessions will include a key note presentation from world renowned luthier Andy Manson, a range of panel discussions such as market changes post pandemic and ‘luthier on luthier’ Q&As.

The symposium will be completed by inviting all attendees to socialize in a relaxed and informal setting during lunch and tea breaks (included in event price) and at the end of the first day with a restaurant meal (not included in event price).

The attendee fee for the symposium does not include the exhibiting fee for the Padua Guitar Show. To book a booth for the show please contact Luca Friso, the organizer of the Padua Guitar Show (luca@play-studio.it)!

We are sending out a final registration form shortly! The new EGB Board is looking forward to welcome as many of you as possible in beautiful Italy next year!

Frank Deimel
Diego Vila
Christian Jablonski
Rosie Heydenrych
Rui Silva
Nicolai Schorr
Francisco Rodriguez Torrón
Marco Omar Viola
Adam Wehsely-Swiczinsky

The EGB Board of Directors

Chair: Frank Deimel

"I am part of the association, as it is our true chance to get guitar building back to our own culture. By being part of this community of great builders, we empower ourselves to focus on our roots of European guitar building, as well as to present the essence of this great culture in a unique show. As unique as our guitars are.

Music is a language between gesture and speech. To build a "tool" to express this emotion at its best, and to maintain and foster this ability in Europe is the main goal of this association for me."

Frank Deimel, 2013
Deimel Guitarwork


Vice Chair: Diego Vila

For the last 15 years l've been making electric
nstruments, and through them trying to express my
vision and let them reveal my personality
Being part of EGB is a way to foster the community
and forge mutual bonds with colleagues which to me
is a fundamental part of life.

Diego Vila Guitars


Treasurer: Adam Wehsely-Swiczinsky

In 1990 I started guitar building in Los Angeles. And as late as 2017 I finally competed my master of crafts in luthery in Austria. Along the way I met a lot of luthiers, freaks and techs, that helped me to get faster and better, without any tradeoff. As much as I benefited from the "sharing is caring" community of our craft, I want to give back my to the community. There are many lone-woolves in our craft. When we talk, duiscuss and help each other, it does not feel so caged in the own cave any more.
EGB feels some kind of like home to me.

Adam Wehsely-Swiczinsky, 2022

MADA Guitars


Vice Treasurer: Rui Silva

When i decide to be part of EGB comunity was because i felt the need of sharing ideas, projects and conversations with other luhtiers. Our comunity gives me that, new friends, learnings and conections with people that walks in the same direction. I'm proud of this EGB familly.

Rui Silva Guitars


Secretary: Nicolai Schorr

"I build electric, semiacoustic and acoustic instruments exclusively by hand in my shop in Berlin, Neukölln. I take this work very seriously. After studying art for six years and playing and performing music for a decade, this is where I am at."

Schorr Guitars


Vice Secretary: Marco Omar Viola

I growed up with any tools in my hands, my grandpa teached me how to use those tools to make creative works. The guitar passion did the rest. This beautiful job let me met some incredible traveling companions and the most of them are EGB Members.

MOV Guitars


Board Member: Rosie Heydenreich

The EGB is a very powerful resource of knowledge and a solid community of support. I am very thankful to be a member and have gained much insight from ther members. I feel privileged as a board member to help others to do the same.

Turnstone Guitar Company


 Board Member: Christian Jablonski

I like guitar making a lot. So much, that I teach it, to spread the craft of the handmade guitar. I'm very happy to have found my tribe in EGB!

Jablonski Guitars


Board Member: Fran Rodríguez

Music and guitars, guitars and music are always present in my Life so be a guitar builder was the right path to choose and the exact place to be.

I'm so Happy being part of EGB and the amazing team spreading our love and passion for Handmade guitars.

Franfret


Controller: Andreas Neubauer