Ordering

I make a very limited number of guitars each year mostly with hand planes, chisels, and other old world tools and techniques. Because of my attention to detail, personal interaction with my customers, and the complexity of my designs, it requires over three hundred hours to complete each guitar. It is truly a labour of love, a passion for my work, and a deep desire to enrich the lives of those whom I am privileged to create an instrument for.

Ordering Process

If you are interested in placing an order, a non refundable design consultation fee of $500 is required to reserve a spot on my build list and to begin the ordering process. I am not able to quote prices more than one year in advance due to constantly fluctuating material costs and currency exchange rates, the price of your guitar will be guaranteed upon contact one year prior to your build date.

60-90 days prior to construction I will require a non-refundable payment of 30% with the final balance due three weeks prior to shipping. All guitars are shipped Fed -Ex fully insured. Prices do not include shipping, insurance, taxes or duties.

Prices

*2009 prices: $18,000.00 (US) for all models.

This includes Master Grade tone-woods and components for every detail (including Brazilian Rosewood for Steel String and Nylon String guitars), and a custom deluxe Calton case. Please contact me for more information about other included features and available options.

Build List

Because I am an artisan working alone in my studio and not a factory, I am not able to speed up production to keep up with increasing demand for my work. My current build list is extending several years.

New guitars, used guitars, and build slots become available. If you are interested in purchasing one of my guitars, Please contact me.

I look forward to the privilege and pleasure of creating a truly unique and inspiring instrument for you!

Tom Bills

About Me

I have been on my personal journey through the art of guitar making for over 10 years now. During this time I’ve grown through the various stages, from novice to intermediate, and on to whatever this stage is I am in now. In my experience, the early stages of lutherie are based on the honing and improvement of skill and the acquiring of knowledge. This type of growth can only take you to a certain point. At that level it has reached its limit, because the aforementioned facets of this craft are focused on my ability. Therefore they are limited to what I can do and what I can know, which might be pretty good by some standards but is certainly only a microscopic glimpse of what can be possible. As I’ve continued to grow as a luthier I’ve begun to understand that the leap from very good to mastery is not a leap of skill or knowledge as it is moving from stage to stage in the earlier developmental plateaus of this craft. It is the attitude of the heart. It’s the jump from the confines of the self to the limitlessness of the Creator.
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Services

Each piece of wood already has a voice within. A resonance and a life of its own placed there by Gods own hand. It’s my job to listen for it, and to hear and see its unique potential. Like a seed, this voice lies dormant, waiting for the nurturing touch of a sincere heart. It must be watered and cultivated even in its infancy were to the natural eye it doesn’t look like much. I am able to embark on this creative journey because I have the vision of its potential. I’ve heard the dream of its song in my heart.

You have a seed, a hope, an idea that you want to express through your music and your instrument. My job is to help you communicate that vision and to create an instrument that is as unique as you and the music that only you can create
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