THE WORKSHOP

Dantzig guitars are built in a barn in rural New England—a region that boasts boutique vineyards, artisanal cheese makers, and bookbinders. It’s a place where people take time to create things by hand. In this setting Jol Dantzig creates instruments of character and integrity. They are not built to schedules, nor are they referred to as product.”

Jol has attracted a team of seasoned artisans with whom he works to bring each instrument to life. In an atmosphere of respect, they support and push each other to do their best work. In the workshop you won’t find value stream mapping or employee-empowerment campaigns—just old fashioned hard work and genuine camaraderie. It may not be politically correct to share a beer at the end of a long day, but it sure tastes good.

PHILOSOPHY: The Tribe of Excellence

If you can get Jol to talk about his design process, you’re never sure which way the conversation is going to turn. He’d rather show you a new pickup design or a basket-case vintage race car project that followed him home. Shop-talk is just as likely to touch upon archaeology or literature as it is Otis Rush and AC/DC. Dantzig’s world revolves around excellence and individual character. “Tedium shackles creativity,” is as close to a philosophy as you’ll get from him—the results speak for themselves.

Surrounded by inspiration

Jol Dantzig began playing guitar at age eleven and says he’s still trying to get it right. One thing he has gotten correct is the art of designing and building amazing instruments.

Dantzig’s guitar designs have won eight Editor’s Pick awards in a row from Guitar Player magazine—with one achieving a “perfect” score in every category.

Dantzig has designed guitars for John Lennon, George Harrison, Sting, Gary Moore, Billy Gibbons, Rick Nielsen, Keb’ Mo’, KK Downing, Glenn Tipton, Lyle Workman, Mark Knopfler, Eric Johnson, Martin Barre, Johnny Ramone, Elliot Easton, Brad Gillis, Roy Buchannan, Jeff Watson, James Honeyman-Scott, Jack Blades, Frank Black, and many, many more.

Dantzig”s talents have been employed by Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, Guild, Ovation, Takamine, and he was a founding partner of Hamer Guitars.

His musical credits include recording and/or performing with Blue Guru, Wilson Pickett, Sam Lay, Freddie Scott, Jon Tiven, Shaw-Blades, Jim Carroll and Frank Black. Dantzig’s compositions have been featured in films and television. He is a published author on the art and science of guitar and their construction.