Who are the great female luthiers?

[Merlemantel]

Originally Posted by PWoolson

As we all know, our luthier's community is mostly made up of men, but here is a short list of many of the women in the guitar building world. Most of whom I know personally and call my friends.
I consider myself to be totally blessed that I am surrounded by strong, passionate women.
Powerful women: may we know them, may we raise them!

Kathy Matsu****a
Angela Waltner
Martina Bartovka
Claudia Pagelli
Kathy Wingert
Jimmi Wingert
Linda Manzer
Rachel Rosenkrantz
Maegen Wells
Shia de Jonge
Rosie Heydenrych
Arianna Colombo
Julie Hautecoeur
Peggy White
Mamie Minch
Shelley D. Park
Nicole Alosinac
Leila Alnashir
Jaime Aulson
Eve Meister
EJ Henderson
Rebecca Urlacher
Heidi Litke
Noemi Schembri
Judith Laforest
Monica Esparza
Cat Fox
Christina Kobler
Meredith Coloma
Aviva Pilgrim
Angela Waltner
Katharina Leinemann
Lizet Albor
Judy Threet
Daisy Tempest
Celia Enoc
Chloe Swantner

That’s a decent list to get you started.[emoji2]

Thank you!!

[sinistral]

Fyi, the following luthiers will be at the Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase next month:

Nicole Alosinac Luthiery - Vancouver, BC, Canada
EJ Henderson Guitars and Ukeleles / Jayne Henderson - Asheville, NC
Noemi Guitars / Noemi Schembri - Susegana, Italy
Turnstone Guitar Company / Rosie Heydenriych - Surrey, England
Urlacher Guitars / Rebecca Urlacher - Bend, OR
Wingert Guitars / Kathy Wingert - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase - 2023 - Exhibitors List

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by sinistral

Fyi, the following luthiers will be at the Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase next month:

Nicole Alosinac Luthiery - Vancouver, BC, Canada
EJ Henderson Guitars and Ukeleles / Jayne Henderson - Asheville, NC
Noemi Guitars / Noemi Schembri - Susegana, Italy
Turnstone Guitar Company / Rosie Heydenriych - Surrey, England
Urlacher Guitars / Rebecca Urlacher - Bend, OR
Wingert Guitars / Kathy Wingert - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase - 2023 - Exhibitors List

Looks like a fine place to check some of the women builders work all at once…

Cheers

Paul

[sinistral]

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

Looks like a fine place to check some of the women builders work all at once…

Cheers

Paul

I didn’t editorialize, but was thinking the same thing—it’s a rare occurrence to have guitars from so many great builders (male and female) under one roof (well, technically, two roofs at Woodstock since the exhibitors are in two buildings). I also forgot to mention that, on Saturday, there’s a special retrospective with Linda Manzer:

Linda Manzer: A 50-Year Retrospective

I sent Baker a note telling him that he really outdid himself this year.

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by Merlemantel

Believe me, I have checked in with Kathy Wingert. As of January 2023, she is no longer doing custom builds. I have my eye out for a used Wingert.

It's true that Kathy is no longer taking custom orders though she is still building guitars and doing the occasional guitar show. I own two and highly recommend. There are some used ones out there and worth the hunt.

Best,
Jayne

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

It's true that Kathy is no longer taking custom orders though she is still building guitars and doing the occasional guitar show. I own two and highly recommend. There are some used ones out there and worth the hunt.

Best,
Jayne

My dear friend Beth just bought a KW from Guitar Gallery. Maybe she will chime in here soon…

Play em if ya got em

Paul

[mountainguitar]

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

My dear friend Beth just bought a KW from Guitar Gallery. Maybe she will chime in here soon…

Play em if ya got em

Paul

Hello Paul and everyone else-

Yes, I found a used Kathy Wingert that had the specs I would have requested in a custom build. It is a special instrument! It's her take on a Grand Concert. I had been thinking of getting a 000/grand concert sized guitar at some point. Paul has a friend who has a very old Martin 000 that served as the model Taylor used as a basis for their Grand Concert model and I got to play it! That was so cool... So I've had this 000/Grand concert size in mind. I've tended towards smaller guitars - I have several 00 models and then I have a Rebecca Urlacher parlor that is wonderful. So this is my biggest guitar!

I'm so impressed with the warmth of the tone and it's just a clear, balanced guitar with a solid bass that is so fun. And the warmth and clarity stays all the way up the neck. I'm loving playing this instrument and enjoying trying out finger style pieces, singer/songwriter stuff, and classical and then some strumming... It sounds great in different tunings and dropping the bass to D is something special. It handles everything really well and is very comfortable to play.

So although Kathy is only building what she wants to build now (yay on retirement!), there are phenomenal guitars she has built out there. And I'm so pleased to now have one. This instrument isn't new and it shows. But I bought it to play, not to look at. And this guitar plays!!!

My best to all and thank you for your interest in great luthiers!

beth

[colins]

Originally Posted by mountainguitar

Hello Paul and everyone else-

Yes, I found a used Kathy Wingert that had the specs I would have requested in a custom build. It is a special instrument!

beth

Congratulations and well done on finding/buying a great guitar. I've had my Wingert for six years now and it still amazes me when I pick it up and play it.

Colin

[Merlemantel]

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

My dear friend Beth just bought a KW from Guitar Gallery. Maybe she will chime in here soon…

Play em if ya got em

Paul

Kathy Wingert guitars are some of the best in the world.

[mountainguitar]

The Wingert is wonderful! But my Urlacher parlor is also special. I know Rebecca has been mentioned throughout this thread, so it's not news to you. Her work is great and she's still building and many gifted guitarists play her guitars. And there are other women luthiers who I haven't had an opportunity to play but hear great things about their work.

I love that you started this thread!

beth

[Portland Bill]

Expect a longer wait if you have one on order while they get it ready

[sinistral]

Originally Posted by sinistral

Fyi, the following luthiers will be at the Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase next month:

Nicole Alosinac Luthiery - Vancouver, BC, Canada
EJ Henderson Guitars and Ukeleles / Jayne Henderson - Asheville, NC
Noemi Guitars / Noemi Schembri - Susegana, Italy
Turnstone Guitar Company / Rosie Heydenriych - Surrey, England
Urlacher Guitars / Rebecca Urlacher - Bend, OR
Wingert Guitars / Kathy Wingert - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase - 2023 - Exhibitors List

Just a reminder that the Woodstock show is two weeks away—looking forward to seeing guitars from these fine luthiers and many others.

[Flat5]

Owning a Turnstone, I can’t speak highly enough of Rosie Heydenrych. I posted the build a while back, and I’m still in love…

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by mountainguitar

Hello Paul and everyone else-

Yes, I found a used Kathy Wingert that had the specs I would have requested in a custom build. It is a special instrument! It's her take on a Grand Concert. I had been thinking of getting a 000/grand concert sized guitar at some point. Paul has a friend who has a very old Martin 000 that served as the model Taylor used as a basis for their Grand Concert model and I got to play it! That was so cool... So I've had this 000/Grand concert size in mind. I've tended towards smaller guitars - I have several 00 models and then I have a Rebecca Urlacher parlor that is wonderful. So this is my biggest guitar!

I'm so impressed with the warmth of the tone and it's just a clear, balanced guitar with a solid bass that is so fun. And the warmth and clarity stays all the way up the neck. I'm loving playing this instrument and enjoying trying out finger style pieces, singer/songwriter stuff, and classical and then some strumming... It sounds great in different tunings and dropping the bass to D is something special. It handles everything really well and is very comfortable to play.

So although Kathy is only building what she wants to build now (yay on retirement!), there are phenomenal guitars she has built out there. And I'm so pleased to now have one. This instrument isn't new and it shows. But I bought it to play, not to look at. And this guitar plays!!!

My best to all and thank you for your interest in great luthiers!

beth

Congrats on your Wingert, Beth! And, to have one of Rebecca's guitars to boot. Very cool.

Best,
Jayne