Who are the great female luthiers?

[mikealpine]

I’ve only played Rebecca’s guitars at shows, and they are wonderful. She is a delightful person, as well. Dustin Furlow has two of her instruments, I think, which says a lot.

[colins]

Looking at Judy Threet’s beautiful creations online helped to send me down the single luthier rabbit hole many years ago. Not sure if she is still building.

Kathy Wingert is still building, and her guitars are wonderful. Also, her daughter Jimmi Wingert is your go to for female inlay artists.

[Merlemantel]

Originally Posted by colins

Looking at Judy Threet’s beautiful creations online helped to send me down the single luthier rabbit hole many years ago. Not sure if she is still building.

Kathy Wingert is still building, and her guitars are wonderful. Also, her daughter Jimmi Wingert is your go to for female inlay artists.

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.

[colins]

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.

If you are ok buying used (which can be a great way to buy) and are in SoCal, a trip to Luthiers Collection will give you the chance to A/B a Wingert and a guitar by Linda Manzer, assuming Mike still has both the guitars listed on his website for sale.

East Coast? A visit to Dream Guitars will give you the same opportunity. Ashville is a beautiful part of the world, and that Wingert EVC they have looks awesome!

[Bar01]

Following in her dad’s footsteps but marching to the beat of her own drum.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nacpKKfGiWY

[gitarro]

Originally Posted by colins

Looking at Judy Threet’s beautiful creations online helped to send me down the single luthier rabbit hole many years ago. Not sure if she is still building.

Kathy Wingert is still building, and her guitars are wonderful. Also, her daughter Jimmi Wingert is your go to for female inlay artists.

Judy Threet retired as a luthier years ago. She was a philosophy professor I believe before she went into lutherie but she built well respected guitars. To this day, I have not seen inlay work done on a guitar with the artistry, taste and wit to the level that she displayed with her unique creations.

[Merlemantel]

Originally Posted by colins

If you are ok buying used (which can be a great way to buy) and are in SoCal, a trip to Luthiers Collection will give you the chance to A/B a Wingert and a guitar by Linda Manzer, assuming Mike still has both the guitars listed on his website for sale.

East Coast? A visit to Dream Guitars will give you the same opportunity. Ashville is a beautiful part of the world, and that Wingert EVC they have looks awesome!

Thanks! The only way I could hope to afford a Wingert is used, I imagine. I am only now becoming acquainted with Linda Manzer. I must say, the women are doing incredible things in lutherie.

[Merlemantel]

Originally Posted by Bar01

Following in her dad’s footsteps but marching to the beat of her own drum.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nacpKKfGiWY

What a great interview, both on Jayne's part, and the interviewer. I want to hear some of her guitars!

[sayheyjeff]

Doubt I am qualified to say who is great, but had the opportunity to play a couple of guitars built by Shelley Park and they were really nice instruments. Love to have one.

Jeff

[colins]

Originally Posted by gitarro

Judy Threet retired as a luthier years ago. She was a philosophy professor I believe before she went into lutherie but she built well respected guitars. To this day, I have not seen inlay work done on a guitar with the artistry, taste and wit to the level that she displayed with her unique creations.

Interesting. It was actually her inlay work that caught my eye. I still remember one she did of an owl, embellishing some of the inherent characteristics of the wood she used for the headstock veneer.

[Matthew Sarad]

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.

https://www.lavintagegear.com/produc...owners-guitar/

[usb_chord]

Originally Posted by gitarro

To this day, I have not seen inlay work done on a guitar with the artistry, taste and wit to the level that she displayed with her unique creations.

Well said, gitarro. She's brilliant -

[gitarro]

Originally Posted by usb_chord

Well said, gitarro. She's brilliant -

Thanks for posting some of the pictures of Threet guitars. That owl one was the one I remember the best - it shows off well her wit and creativity in taking advantage of a natural feature of the wood to create a one of a kind picture. But the swan and swanlets one also shows the grace and elegance of her creations - they look life like and the natural grain of the maple is used to simulate the sparkle of the water surface.

[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]

[Guitars44me]

Nice list! And I agree about strong, smart, passionate and independent women.
I am blessed to have Cindy in my life.

Cheers

Paul