John D. Alexander

From a young age, I developed a deep appreciation for music and working with my hands.  I began piano lessons at age five. By the time I reached junior high, my focus shifted to the guitar, sparking a lifelong passion that quickly grew into fascination bordering on obsession.

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In high school, I dreamed of building my own guitar and was inspired by Melvyn Hiscock's now-legendary book to explore the idea of crafting my first instrument. However, without a mentor to guide me and lacking access to the specialized tools needed, those aspirations were put on hold

 

Many years later, my ambition to learn the art of lutherie finally found a path forward. I traveled to Nazareth, PA, where I had the privilege of building a Martin-style acoustic guitar under the guidance of Tim Teel, Director of Instrument Design at Martin Guitar Company. Hosted by Dale and Tyler Unger of American Archtop Guitars, the course provided my first hands-on experience in crafting a guitar. It was an incredibly rewarding journey and marked the beginning of many instruments I would go on to create.

 

A defining moment in my lutherie journey was connecting with Sylvan Wells in Ormond Beach, FL. Over the past five years, I've had the privilege of working alongside him in his shop, where we crafted several instruments together. Through his expertise, mentorship, and encouragement, I gained a profound understanding of the elements that make a fine acoustic guitar. Even more importantly, he impressed upon me the significance of originality in every build.