My Story

You could say I've always had a deep love for electric guitars—especially those classic designs that have shaped music since the 1930s. I've been inspired for years by the legendary American and Japanese builders of the 1960s, and nothing excites me more than creating an instrument that helps bring your music to life.

My very first "guitar" was actually a badminton racket. When that started to feel a little limiting, I taped two of them together to make a double-neck badminton guitar—perfect for the extreme air-guitar concerts I held in my bedroom. And yes, I took those performances very seriously.

Eventually, my parents realized this wasn't a phase, so they bought me a toy guitar—just like the one pictured here. It was made entirely of tin, neck and all. You couldn't tune it or really play it, but to me it looked incredible, and that's all that mattered. I played countless imaginary concerts with that little tin guitar.

As I got older, toy guitars lost their cool factor, so I started building my own out of plywood. I "borrowed" a 4x8 sheet of my dad's ¾-inch plywood and sketched out two life-size guitar shapes: a Flying V and an Explorer. With my dad's trusty handsaw in hand, I cut them both out (slicing my thumb once in the process, but not slowing down for a moment). I painted them with Testors model paint, even hand-painting the iconic checkerboard pattern from Rick Nielsen's Explorer on the Dream Police album. My air-guitar shows reached a whole new level of professionalism after that.

By high school, I finally got my hands on a real guitar and started learning to play for real. Soon I was playing in bands, and from that moment on, the electric guitar became a lifelong obsession—one that carried me through high school, college, and beyond.

One of my first jobs was working in a guitar store. I absolutely loved it. Helping customers find the perfect instrument—the one that fit their budget, their style, and their musical dreams—was incredibly rewarding. I loved matching someone with the guitar that would help them create their art. That feeling still drives me today: making instruments that inspire people to learn, to play, to write songs, to perform, or simply to enjoy owning something special.

About eight years ago, I decided to formally study with a well-known local luthier. That's where I learned the finer points of the craft: guitar geometry, intentional work, and the discipline of true hand-built artistry. I've always loved working with my hands, but these days I combine that with CAD design, digital tools, and CNC technology to create instruments I'm passionate about—guitars inspired by the geometry, simplicity, and genius of Leo Fender and other iconic American and Japanese designers.

Vibe Guitars officially launched in 2024. Built on a love for classic design, quality craftsmanship, and great tone and playability, each guitar is crafted with care, intention, and more than a little heart. Saying I put love into every build doesn't quite cover it—each instrument carries a bit of who I am.

Every Vibe Guitar is fully customizable to match your personal style and preferences. If you have questions or ideas, I'd love to hear them. Let's work together to build the custom guitar you've always dreamed of.