Hi! I’m David.

I am a luthier for two reasons: my passion for music and my passion for fine woodworking.

I’ve loved working with wood since I was old enough to hold a hammer. During my childhood in Southern California, I played with wood in my dad’s shop. I sold handmade miniature wooden surfboards to my friends when I was ten years old. The sound of the steel string folk guitar caught my attention during the folk revival of the early sixties and it continues to fascinate me. I built my first guitar in 1971 for my use, and I played it for years.

I received a Bachelors Degree in Art from Humboldt State University in 1976, with an emphasis in sculpture. During the next years, I taught myself and developed expertise in many specialty areas; first in jewelry making, including silver, gold and semi-precious stones, and later in woodworking. After receiving my degree, I stayed in the Arcata area and had my own jewelry making business. After a move to Eugene, I became a finish carpenter and participated in the restoration of many of the area’s historical homes.

After my marriage to my wife, Pat, we returned to Humboldt County. There, I had a small business called Wood for Touch, designing and producing hardwood gift items for the eight years between 1983 and 1991. My son Zane was also born during these years. As Wood for Touch, I displayed in American Craft Council Shows on both the East and West coasts, and won a design award in 1985 for a one-of-a-kind inlaid tray.

With a move to Seattle in the early nineties, I began working in yacht building as a cabinetmaker and finish carpenter. During that time, I started again to build guitars. I studied with Charles Fox at the American School of Lutherie in Healdsburg, California during the summer of 1996. In the fall of 1998, I gathered together the group that has now become the Seattle Luthiers.

I always have local non-commercial radio playing in my shop. When I need a break from woodworking, I turn to my 1958 Morris Minor which I am restoring. I also enjoy walking along Lake Washington near our home, reading science fiction, and cuddling on the hammock with my cat, Robin.