Custom Handcrafted Guitars

$3500

Custom Handcrafted Acoustic Guitars | de Houtwinkel – Utah School of Lutherie

Experience the art of true lutherie.
Every custom acoustic guitar from de Houtwinkel is individually hand-crafted in Logan, Utah by master luthier Daryl. We combine precision craftsmanship, sonically tested tonewoods, and your unique design vision to create an instrument that feels alive in your hands.

Why Choose a de Houtwinkel Custom Guitar

Premium Tonewoods:
Each top, back, and side is sonically tested in-house to ensure the ideal stiffness-to-weight ratio for maximum resonance and clarity. Choose from sinker redwood, European spruce, cedar, koa, walnut, rosewood, and more.

Truly Custom Design:
Every build starts from scratch — you choose the body shape, neck profile, tonewood pairing, finish style, and inlay details. No two instruments are ever the same.

Expert Craftsmanship:
Built by hand using traditional and modern lutherie techniques taught at the Utah School of Lutherie. From french-polished finishes to carbon neck reinforcements, each detail is refined for tone, stability, and playability.

Acoustic Precision:
All tonewoods are individually tuned and voiced for exceptional projection and tonal balance. Each instrument is meticulously set up to perform perfectly out of the case.

Build Process

  1. Consultation & Design: We discuss your sound preferences, play style, and aesthetic vision to design your dream instrument.

  2. Tonewood Selection: Each piece is tested, tap-tuned, and matched for maximum acoustic response.

  3. Construction: Body, neck, bracing, and detailing are shaped and joined with traditional hand tools and precision jigs.

  4. Finishing & Setup: Every guitar receives full fretwork, polishing, and professional setup to ensure effortless playability.

  5. Delivery: Your custom guitar is carefully packed and shipped worldwide. Build times typically range from 20–30 weeks.

Pricing & Options

Base models start at $3,500.
Custom features such as exotic tonewoods, soundport options, bevels, cutaways, and onboard electronics are available at additional cost. Each build includes a hard shell case and a 7-year limited warranty.

Hear & See the Difference

Explore our guitar gallery to see previous builds and hear tone samples from satisfied players.
Follow us on Instagram to see works in progress from the shop floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to build a custom guitar?
Most builds take between 20 and 30 weeks depending on customization level and material selection.

Can I choose any tonewood?
Yes. We maintain a curated inventory of tonewoods and can source specialty sets upon request.

Do you offer financing?
Yes — learn about our in-house financing options for builders and students.

Start Your Build Today

Ready to bring your custom guitar to life?


Contact us today to begin your design consultation or reserve your build slot.

Our guitars are meticulously crafted to deliver unparalleled frequency response, allowing you to create beautiful melodies that resonate with every note. Each instrument is scientifically calibrated using our sound enhancement technology throughout its entire production process.

 

 

Handcrafted features and addons:

  • Sizes available: Parlor, CR.1(smaller OM), Classical, OM, or Custom
  • Top: Sinker redwood, various spruce, cedar
  • Back and sides: Most species are available 
  • Neck: Honduran mahogany, Spanish cedar, maple, and walnut. *Carbon Fiber “D” tube available – see below
  • Fretboard: Rosewood or Ebony – other species available – flat or radius
  • Bridge: Rosewood or Ebony – other species available
  • Rosette: One-of-a-kind mosaic, solid, segmented, or other variations
  • Binding/Purfling: Rosewood, Koa, Curly Maple, Ebony – other species available
  • Nut/Saddle: Bone, Tusq, or buffalo horn
  • Nut Width: Custom
  • Tuners: Rubner, Gotoh, or personal preference
  • Strings: Any string set of your choice
  • Fret Markers: Wood inlays
  • Frets: Nickel/silver, Evo Gold, or Stainless
  • Headstock: Solid or slotted – Custom
  • Electronics: Additional charge +$50 install
  • Cutaway/Arm bevel/Player Sound hole/Elevated Fingerboard: +$95 each
  • Case: Hard shell
  • Finish: French polish, Rubio Monocoat, or UV-Cure Polyester(additional charge by Vancouver Finishing)
  • Warranty: 7 years to the original owner
  • Scale Length: CR.1 – 23.5″,  Parlor – 24.5″, OM – 25.5″, Classical 650mm – Custom lengths available
  • Additional Details: 15′ arched back. Back-strip and end-graph are custom-made and included

*Carbon “D” tube is a modern design that no longer needs a truss rod. There is ample evidence that supports this design, which de Houtwinkel will implement into the guitar if you request(additional fee). Otherwise, each guitar will come with a dual-action truss rod.*

You can find the latest build pics and sound samples on my Instagram page here.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Base prices are shown for each model; material(tone wood) will incur an additional charge. $1,500 deposit required to secure your spot in line, and an additional payment of $500 once the build details are worked out. The final payment is due before delivery.

 

Flat rate shipping is $75 in the US. 

International shipping is available except for restricted items

 

 

Why We Sonically Test All Our Tonewood

At the Utah School of Lutherie, every piece of tonewood is sonically tested in-house to ensure it will deliver the best possible sound.

Sonic testing measures a wood’s resonant frequency, stiffness-to-weight ratio, and damping properties—key indicators of how it will perform once shaped into an instrument. Even wood from the same species, cut from the same log, can vary dramatically. By testing, we identify which pieces are bright and lively, which are warm and mellow, and which will pair well together in a single instrument.

This process allows us to:

  • Select for tone, not just looks – visually striking wood isn’t always acoustically strong.

  • Match tops, backs, and sides – ensuring the wood resonates in harmony.

  • Guarantee consistency – so every instrument begins with proven, reliable materials.

By combining traditional lutherie skills with modern acoustic analysis, we remove the guesswork from tonewood selection. The result is instruments that not only look beautiful, but also respond with clarity, balance, and a voice that inspires.

 

Please note that each instrument can take up to 24+ weeks from start to finish.

Tonewood supplied by ELITE TONEWOODS

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