Chairman: Michael Spalt
"I'm happy and proud to be a part of this effort to foster a European community of luthiers. Moving to Europe from the US, I was struck by how insulated and fragmented the European scene presented itself, how very different from the communal spirit present among our colleagues overseas.
I was glad to find I wasn't the only one - from the spark struck at the 2011 Montreal show by a few fellow builders from various countries, we have come a long way in realizing the dream of an association dedicated to promoting the craft and art of luthierie in Europe across borders and national boundaries. Our goal is to showcase the talent, the rich variety of traditions and great innovations present in Europe today."
Michael Spalt, 2013
Spalt Instruments
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Vice Chairman: Juha Ruokangas
"A guitar maker? A crazy combination of carpenter, musician, electrician, painter, designer, engineer - and sometimes a bit of a psychologist as well when dealing with the delicate minds of the artists...
When I was learning the craft of luthiery in the early 90's, there was no cell phone, internet or European Union. Every European country had their own money. People were isolated, but unaware of it. Today the whole world is within our reach - and yet, the grip of the past is still upon many of us, imprisoning our minds. This doesn't need to be!
I am happy and privileged to be one of the founding members of the European Guitar Builders association - an organization that may well change the course of history regarding contemporary guitar here in Europe."
Juha Ruokangas, 2013
Ruokangas Guitars
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Treasurer: Jacco Stuitje
"Back in the nineties I got the chance to become a luthier. The change from my former career in IT could not be greater: at once I was doing a job that felt ‘real’. Getting involved in the EGB and working with fellow luthiers across Europe to me has that same quality.
Luthiers joining their force and energy and achieving things no individual can achieve on their own is wonderful.
Europe is going through some rough patches in its time and here we are, trying to achieve what the European Union could not, thus far. Joining luthiers, their musicians and their music. "
Jacco Stuitje, 2015
Rikkers Guitars
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Vice Treasurer: 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 Guitarworks
Secretary: Christian Stoll
In the early ‘90s I had a hard time making it on the market of handmade guitars all alone. Smaller shows were not yet established and exhibiting at the international trade fairs was really expensive.
That was when I had the idea to collaborate with other luthiers/single companies. I asked quite a few German colleagues (I was not thinking European yet) if they were interested in starting an organisation to pool our energies. Nobody was interested. So, hearing about the EGB excited me right away and I joined immediately.This was exactly what I’ve been dreaming of. I feel very proud contributing with my work to the elaboration of the important work of the EGB.
Christian Stoll, 2018
Stoll
Vice Secretary: Adriano Sergio
#LM Miguel Manso - Guitarra, adriano - 9 de fevereiro de 2014
Board Member: Frédéric Pons
"I am deeply convinced that we gain a lot by joining our forces to promote our art, and it is time for us, European citizens but particularly guitar makers, to create that movement and be proud of our network.
Let's show the greatest European guitars through the most famous guitar show!"
Frédéric Pons, 2013
Kopo Guitares
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Board Member: Adrian Lucas
"The EGB is a good chance to open up possibilities, remove barriers, to cooperate with colleagues facing always similar challenges and creating positive synergies.
With EGB we have many different backgrounds of culture, beauty, history and know-how that came together, making us feeling more evident the similarities than what make us different.
European guitarmaking melting pot has a common recognizable taste of aesthetic, ideas and originality, with an old know-how traditions."
Adrian Lucas, 2015
Lucas Guitars
Board Member: Andrea Ballarin
The EGB is a good chance to open up possibilities, remove barriers, to cooperate with colleagues facing always similar challenges and creating positive synergies. With EGB we have many different backgrounds of culture, beauty, history and know-how that came together, making us feeling more evident the similarities than what make us different.
European guitarmaking melting pot has a common recognizable taste of aesthetic, ideas and originality, with an old know-how traditions.
Andrea Ballarin, 2015
Manne Guitars