Artist Guitars' Handbuilt Acoustic Guitars – Behind The Scenes

At Artist Guitars, our mission has always been to make guitars of incredible value, giving customers the best price for instruments with unbelievable specs. Now, we've taken that to the next level with our most recent range of handbuilt acoustic guitars—yes, you read that right, handbuilt acoustic guitars at Artist Guitars.

It all started with our collaboration with Gerard Gilet (the legendary Australian luthier) for the GG1EQ, by far the most amazing instrument we've ever produced. When Gerard gave us the design for the GG1EQ, we began the search for a team to bring this amazing guitar to life. We knew we'd found the right team when Gerard told us he wholeheartedly approved putting his design in their hands. 

Now, we've expanded the handbuilt range to include: GG1EQ, OMC600SN, PSM200, and DELTA3EQ.

The workshop designing these models is a team of six luthiers, headed by Mr Zhang. We've asked Mr Zhang some questions to get an insight on his work process, history, and his experience working with Artist Guitars and Gerard Gilet.

Interview with Mr Zhang

Can you tell us about your team and workshop?

Our team consists of six seasoned luthiers, each with 15 to 20 years of hands-on experience in guitar making. With years of accumulated expertise, every luthier is fully capable of managing the entire building process independently. From selecting raw woods, managing humidity levels, shaping the body, installing components, to final steps like tuning and finishing, our team executes every step with precision and care. Thanks to our seamless collaboration, we're able to efficiently deliver high-quality, custom-built guitars tailored to each client's needs.

When did you become a luthier?

I officially entered the guitar-making industry in 2002.

What made you decide to become a luthier?

At first, guitar making was just a means of making a living. But over time, I became completely immersed in the process—shaping each guitar by hand and witnessing raw wood transform into a beautiful musical tool gave me a deep sense of fulfillment. That passion eventually led me to establish my own workshop. More than 20 years have passed, and building guitars is no longer just a job—it's become a part of who I am. It's the one thing I’m both most skilled at and most passionate about.

As the workshop grew, I formed a dedicated team. Together, we’ve delved deep into every detail—from wood characteristics and construction techniques to acoustic theory—leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of perfection and craftsmanship refinement.

How does your workshop differ from other workshops in China?

Since our workshop was started, we’ve focused exclusively on custom-made guitars, aiming to bring each client’s dream guitar to life. Adhering to a "client-first" philosophy, we strive to meet even the most unique and specific requests. From body shape and dimensions to tonewood selection, sound profile, and even intricate decorative details (like the rosette, purfling, and inlays), every guitar is tailor-made to reflect the player’s individuality. Thanks to this dedication, we became the first workshop in China to specialize solely in personalized instruments, paving the way for a new approach to guitar customization.

What is the most important advantage of a hand-built guitar, compared to a machine-built one?

Our biggest competitive edge lies in our ability to fully cater to the diverse needs of our clients. We offer guitars ranging from 30 inches to 42 inches in full-size span—from compact travel guitars to larger, resonant stage guitars. In terms of instrument type, we build everything from standard guitars to more specialized bass guitars.

Can you talk about any innovations or unique techniques you've developed in your guitar-building process?

Drawing from years of technical experience, we’ve made several innovative breakthroughs in guitar construction. One of our signature innovations is a proprietary bracing system featuring a mesh-style design. This structure is highly versatile—it enhances tonal purity in classical guitars, supports the dynamic range of steel-string acoustics, and even works beautifully with avant-garde, non-standard body shapes.

We’ve also made significant advancements in acoustic structure design, particularly with bracing and soundhole optimization. By refining the bracing layout, we can precisely control the guitar’s resonance. Combined with innovative modifications to the soundhole, this dramatically enhances both volume and tonal quality, expanding the expressive potential of the instrument.

Can you tell us about some of the testing you do to make sure the guitars leaving your factory are up to your standards physically and sonically?

Before any instrument leaves the workshop, we carry out strict quality checks on several key aspects:

1. Wood moisture content – Proper moisture levels are essential for tone and long-term stability.
2. Body construction accuracy – This includes precise neck angle, body height, alignment, and proper action setup. Every dimension must be within spec.
3. Sound testing – After assembly, each guitar undergoes tone tests to ensure volume and resonance meet expectations.
4. Finishing quality – In the painting process, we aim for a full, rich finish while keeping lacquer thickness in check to maintain clarity and brightness.

What were your first thoughts when you saw Gerard's design?

When I first saw the sample you provided, I immediately noticed the precision of the measurements across all key structural areas. The guitar’s design stood out as distinctive and well thought-out. After completing the build, I invited several professional players to test it, and they were all impressed by its tonal richness and overall craftsmanship.

Can you talk about the process of building the GG1 from start to finish?

The process of building the GG1 was smooth from start to finish. Thanks to the highly accurate specifications you provided, all we needed to do was follow the data carefully and execute the craft with precision. This not only boosted our production efficiency but also gave us great confidence in the final product’s quality.

How is the GG1 different to some of the other guitars you've built?

Compared to our other clients, your specifications were exceptionally detailed, with every measurement clearly marked. We followed them exactly during production. We did notice that the neck joint had about a 2-degree backward tilt compared to standard designs, and the bridge was also thicker than usual. Initially, we were concerned these might affect performance, but the final tone exceeded all expectations and turned out to be excellent.

What was the most valuable thing you learned about guitar-building by working with Gerard?

One thing that truly stood out was the professionalism Australian luthiers bring to data management. Once their specifications are finalized, they rarely make changes. This ensures consistency and stability in the build process. In contrast, many of our other clients frequently revise their requests based on personal preference, which can complicate the process and affect the final outcome.

The guitars your team designed are minimalist in appearance yet exude a sense of elegance. Every detail reflects true craftsmanship. After completion, I had several professional players test it, and they all praised the tonal quality, further proving the exceptional standard of your design.

Want to hear the GG1EQ in action? Check out Brett Kingman's great demo: