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Luthiers & Builders: California, USA
There are a lot of great Luthiers and builders across the USA. Here are the ones LearningUkulele.com has come across in the California.
photo by Louis Martin
UPDATED:
11 December 2024

40 Luthiers & Builders - California

USA CA
AnakonekeHandcraftedUkuleles
Anakoneke Handcrafted Ukuleles

Composed using only the finest material, each ukulele is created using traditional and time-honored methods of construction. Anakoneke ukuleles are abhorent of mass production and created using hand-tools in the old world fashion; they are truely musical works of art.

USA CA
BandyJ
Joseph Bandy, Bandy Studios

I custom build and repair guitars in my own shop and I couldn’t be happier. I thoroughly enjoy creating these instruments. I pay absurdly close attention to detail, but the result is very worth the extra time. My work has become my meditation as well as my creative outlet. Without it, I would be lost. And without my friends, family, and the others who have believed in me and supported my endeavors, none of this would have been possible.

USA CA
BillTapiaUkuleles
Bill Tapia Ukuleles

Bill Tapia(tm) was celebrated worldwide as the 'Duke of Uke'. He performed with Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, and just about everyone who was anyone in the early Hawaiian music scene.

He taught ukulele to Shirley Temple, Clark Gable and many others from Hollywood's Golden Era. In Bill's hands, the ukulele became a magical instrument.

Now, you can create magic of your own. Built to Bill's exacting standards, Bill Tapia ukuleles will take you wherever you want to go, musically. Bill never compromised with his music and neither do his signature ukuleles.

Each instrument is hand-crafted, using rigorous construction methods to ensure great sound, high quality, and sublime playability.

USA CA
BlackbirdGuitars
Blackbird Guitars

Blackbird Guitars was founded by Joe Luttwak and Kyle Wolfe and now includes fellow designer Troy Stevens. After years searching for a compact guitar worth bringing along for the ride, all they could find was thin sounding and fragile. Eventually they realized that none of the established companies would tackle this problem so they decided to do it themselves.

USA CA
BoulderCreekGuitars
Boulder Creek Guitars

Boulder Creek Guitars was the born from an idea that was developed over 15 years ago by Mike Shellhammer. Mike, having spent his life in the music industry as a musician, store owner and product developer felt that there was a better way to brace a guitar than what was considered standard.

USA CA
CandelasGuitars
Candelas Guitars

Candelas Guitars are considered by many of the top and well-renowned musicians in the world to be the finest quality instruments of their kind. Each guitar is handmade from the finest woods by Tomas Delgado, a 3rd generation luthier and owner of Candelas Guitars, to produce the optimum pitch and sound possible. Candelas Guitars also custom builds guitars to specification.

USA CA
CoogInstruments
Ron Cooke Studios

Ron Cook is a California born and bred artisan luthier and craftsman. He uses “green” methods and materials to create one-of-a-kind "sound sculptures", as well as medieval and Early American stringed instruments, carvings, and furnishings. He uses primarily recycled, salvaged and urban forest woods. He is particularly known for his detailed carvings and "tiled" methods of construction.

USA CA
CordobaGuitars
Cordoba Guitars & Ukuleles

Founded in 1997, Cordoba seeks to guide the evolution of the nylon string guitar, blending traditional craftsmanship of the early master luthiers with modern developments. Inspired by the organic beauty and honesty of acoustic instruments, every Cordoba is lightweight, responsive, and a direct descendant of the Spanish tradition. Córdoba continues to challenge the definition of the acoustic guitar without sacrificing the authenticity of its heritage.

USA CA
DaSilvaUkulele
DaSilva Ukulele Co.

DaSilva Ukulele Co. in Berkeley, California is the workshop of Michael DaSilva where he makes high-quality , handcrafted ukuleles. You will also find the full-line of RISA Solid and Electric instruments and inexpensive beginner ukes. The shop is also host to house concerts, ukulele lessons and workshops, the occasional jam session and meetings of the Berkeley Ukulele Club. Check the Calendar for events.

USA CA
GoatRockUkulele
Goat Rock Ukulele

I’ve worked with wood my entire life as a cabinet maker, finish carpenter and now a ukulele builder. My parents were both artists, making beautiful things runs deep. I strive to make the best ukuleles in both sound and sight. Goat Rock Ukulele is not a ukulele factory. I build few instruments at a time. Each ukulele is unique. I love building themed instruments that have connection to the eventual owner. I often build with recycled wood. Many woods harvested decades ago are of higher quality then is now available. I have recycled redwood from 75 year old cabernet wine tanks. It’s stained a beautiful purple from the wine. This wood will make an amazing top for a vintner themed Ukulele.

USA CA
GoldenGateRhythmMachines
Golden Gate Rhythm Machines

The Golden Gate Rhythm Machine (GGRM) plays trad jazz and popular music of the teens, '20s and '30s in a listenable and danceable style performed by professional musicians with more than 40 years experience each. We're ready to play your festival, party, wedding or any event you can think of.

USA CA
GrazianoUkuleles
Graziano Ukuleles

"Tony Graziano Ukuleles", Tony Graziano has been building musical instruments since 1969 and became interested in the Ukulele in 1978 , and then in 1995, after several years of building both guitars and Ukuleles, Tony began building Ukuleles almost exclusively. Tony likes to think of the ukulele as an instrument of the millennium. Its compact, easy to travel with, and brings joy to all who hear and play them. All Tony Graziano Ukes are built by Tony in his Santa Cruz shop using of the finest woods available.

USA CA
HellerGuitars
Heller Guitars

Thomas Heller, inspired by his love of blues artists like Robert Johnson, and guided by his background in building classical guitars, has constructed a truly unique line of acoustic steel string guitars that produce his trademark rich sound.

USA CA
HillGuitarCompany
Hill Guitar Company

Kenny Hill is one of the most accomplished, experienced and versatile classical guitar makers in the world today. He is recognized as a fine maker, player, teacher and innovator. He has worked as an individual luthier, in small workshops as well as in large factory settings, to bring fine guitars to thousands of players of all levels around the world.

USA CA
IriguchiUkuleles
Iriguchi Ukuleles

Iriguchi Ukuleles is Diana and me. We are a husband/wife team. I am the luthier and web guy and Diana is my inspiration/muse/accountant. Oh, and Dieter is our shop dog. He’s a German Shepherd. I build our ukuleles in a little workshop here in Carmichael, California, which is just outside Sacramento.

USA CA
KenFranklinGuitars
Ken Franklin Guitars

Above all your guitar should sound luscious. I build with sculpted braces and graduated top thicknessing on guitar shapes that encourage the notes to ring from anywhere on the fretboard. I use only personally selected woods that I know will bring out an exceptionally clear, rich sound.

The design should be gorgeous. Just sitting in a stand, your guitar will generate conversation. The form is of classic lines at home in a contemporary setting. The woods and binding scheme compliment each other, and though it is thin, the finish is like diving in a pool of clear water. Your guitar is a balanced sculpture in wood.

USA CA
KimoUkulele
Kimo Ukulele

My second home, Maui, and many years in ocean sports both on the mainland and the Islands naturally led me to the beauty of the Polynesian culture including slack-key guitar and ukulele.

USA CA
KinnardUkes
John S. Kinnard Ukuleles

Nestled in the foothills of northern San Diego County, just inland from the coast, sits the small village of Fallbrook, California. Known for its mild climate and laid back lifestyle, artisans of different genres cultivate their craft inspired by the beauty of the valleys and mountains that surround the town.

USA CA
Kremona
Orpheus Valley Guitars and Kremona Studio

Orpheus Valley Guitars and Kremona Studio violins are the product of Bulgaria’s venerable Kremona lutherie, established in 1924. Enjoying continued success in many parts of the world, Kremona now offers their traditional European craftsmanship to North America. Recognized for superb build quality and solution-oriented pricing, Kremona musical instruments remain one of the industry’s astonishing values.

USA CA
LittleRiverUkuleles
Little River Ukuleles

I have always been passionate about working with wood, and have been a professional woodworker for over 25 years. My woodworking skills have progressed from finish work, doors and cabinetry, furniture building, complex joinery, jewelry making, marquetry and inlay, and have come full circle to lutherie. Making finely crafted ukuleles is the culmination of my art and craft.

USA CA
MokuUkuleles
Moku Ukuleles

The Hawaiian word "Moku" means Island, which was the original inspiration for these beautiful Ukuleles. There is just something so simple and beautiful about the Ukulele - just like the Polynesian Islands they originated from. Play one yourself and bring your self back to the Islands.

USA CA
MPUkuleles
MP Ukuleles

MP Ukuleles are handcrafted instruments built on the California Central Coast by Mike Pereira.

USA CA
NaluUkuleleCompany
Nalu Ukulele Company

Los Angeles, California based ukulele company. We've spent years prototyping and testing ukulele after ukulele to be able to make one simple promise: When you buy a Nalu ukulele, you will be buying an ukulele with an outstanding sound, a beautiful appearance, and a structural integrity that guarantees it's built to last.

USA CA
NewWaveUkulele
New Wave Ukulele

New ukulele builder located in El Cajon, California My name is Eric Vossbrink, I am a Luthier from San Diego California. Originally from Los Angeles, I started working with guitars when I was 18 in music stores, eventually I went to work for one of the most prestigious guitar manufacturers in the world. My belief is that since ukulele music is becoming more sophisticated, so should the instrument. My goal is to create instruments that help the artist find their music.

USA CA
NorthPacificUkuleles
North Pacific Ukuleles

Hand built ukuleles from the finest woods available. These instruments have great tone and projection, and are available in four sizes: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone.. Abalone inlay and custom detailing are a specialty. Woods used are Hawaiian Koa, Oregon flamed Mertle, 30-year-old Brazilian Rosewood, and North Coast Redwood. The sound, finish details, and ease of playing are wonderful!

PA
OiwiUkulele
Oiwi Ukulele
USA CA
OrcaCarbonFiberUkuleles
Orca Carbon Fiber Ukuleles

The Orca tenor ukulele prototype from the makers of Elixir Carbon Fiber Violins. We're a small shop located on San Francisco Bay in California. Literally on the Bay -- in a boat; a 60', 50 net ton steel trawler. All of our instruments are made one at a time, on the bench. When Robert Edney -- who developed the Elixir Violin -- got hooked on ukuleles it just had to happen: A new and different uke with great sound and maximum durability.

USA CA
PohakuUkuleles
Pohaku Ukuleles

Pohaku Ukuleles are built by master craftsman Peter Hurney who began creating his Pohaku brand ukuleles in Hawaii in the early 90’s. This one person shop, now in Berkeley, California, produces a limited number of high quality instruments which have found their way all over the globe and are enjoyed by prominent musicians worldwide.

USA CA
PowersAndy
Andy Powers Musical Instrument Co.

Andy Powers grew up in a music-loving family in Oceanside, California. At the age of five Andy, the son of a carpenter and his artist wife, had his first workbench and shortly thereafter began playing piano. Andy took up playing the guitar when he was eight. In a house where musical instruments, tools and wood were all readily available, curiosity got the better of him and he began his first attempts at building guitars before the age of ten. With design and sound refinement the instruments began to improve tremendously, and Andy began selling the instruments to customers while he was still a teenager. Having been encouraged by his parents to pursue the arts, he began to explore the world of traditional inlayed art, using his instruments as a canvas.

USA CA
RenaissanceGuitarCompany
Renaissance Guitar Company

Rick Turner started out as a music-lover and amateur East Coast musician, a self-described “espresso drinking, beret wearing, poetry reading, bongo playing” pre-hippie. He decided that the band wasn’t going anywhere and moved out west, where he started work building electric guitars. Six months after the move, Rolling Stone printed a rave review on his now-defunct band. Rick, however, was already on to bigger and better things: winding pickups by hand.

USA CA
RoadToadMusic
Road Toad Music

Road Toad Music produces quality handcrafted ukulele and bass instruments. Among the ukulele that Owen makes are a line of "bass" ukes. I played a few at the 2006 New York Ukulele Festival and they are amazing. You can't believe the sound that comes from these. Owen also designed the Kala UBass.

USA CA
RomeroPepe
Pepe Romero

Pepe Romero Jr. was born into a family that lives the Spanish guitar. From his childhood Pepe loved the guitar. He grew up playing some of the world’s greatest guitars from the incredible collection of his father. Growing up surrounded by guitars made by Torres, Esteso, Santos Hernandez, Hauser, and Miguel Rodriguez set the standard for how a guitar should be made.

USA TN
Samick
Samick Guitar Company

For almost 40 years Samick has manufactured product for the leading brand names in the guitar business. In the process, we learned a great deal about not only what goes into a great guitar, but how to produce it at an affordable price. We also realized that the ability to produce quality product at an affordable price was only half the equation. There needed to be an all out effort to develop a powerful new identity for the product and our company.

USA
SaulRL
R.L. Saul Ukulele

(Ed.) Haven’t found a web presence but here is link to Dream Guitars of NJ with a R. L. Saul ukulele. Dreamguitars.com 1 (609) 208-1531 4 Mountainview Court, Clarksburg, NJ 08510 Showings by Appointment

USA CA
SilberM
Marc Silber Music

Marc Silber Music -- Dealing in second hand instruments (guitars, Hawaiian guitars, mandolins, ukuleles, banjos etc.) for the past forty years. Making new acoustic instruments such as guitars, ukulele, and Hawaiian guitars since 1992, now under the name Marc Silber Guitars.

USA CA
TaylorGuitars
Taylor Guitars

"Taylor Guitars" is an El Cajon California based luthier, widely known for their quality acoustic guitars. Taylor Guitars was established as a small shop in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug and has since become one of the world's foremost manufacturer of premium-quality guitars. Taylor is widely recognized for its pioneering use of cutting-edge technology to craft ultra-playable, great-sounding and musically-inspiring guitars.

USA CA
ThirdWaveUkuleles
3rd Wave Ukuleles

(dead link) - I don’t believe they are in business anymore. Several years ago they where attempting to sell the business.

USA CA
TikiKing
Tiki King

As close as I can figure it started back in about 1966. My uncle was a surfer, and he once gave my dad a three foot stone Tiki as a gift. My dad put it out under the big tree next to my play house, where it stood for almost twenty years until said tree was cut down and the Tiki disappeared. But back then that Tiki was about as close to magic as it gets. It made an impression I guess. I have been carving Tikis as long as I can remember, but things really got going in 1993 on the day my wife and I drove up north for our honeymoon.

USA CA
Ukebrand
Ukebrand

Made by the Hill Guitar Company Available at Bounty Music Inc. 111 Hana Hwy. #105 Kahului, Maui Hawaii 96732 Phone: (808) 871-1141 Fax: (808) 871-1138

USA CA
Ukiyo
Ukiyo Ukuleles

Ukiyo Ukuleles is the brand name used by luthier Marc Schoenberger. He started making instruments professionally in the early 1990’s and after a stint with Third Wave Ukuleles, a now defunct, (sometime after 2001), manufacturer from San Luis Obispo, he went off to found Ukiyo in 2000. He builds Soprano Concert and Tenor scale Ukuleles plus some reproductions of famous old models like the Stromberg-Voisinet Aero and the Harmony Vita.

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