Tim Reede

I grew up in a small college town in Minnesota. My father was a national park ranger, then became a science professor. My mother was a physical therapist and a visual artist. I was always encouraged to be creative and to try to understand how things work. In my youth I remember hearing music that opened a whole new dimension of expression for me. This attraction has led me to work with music for much of my life.

In 1986 I studied sound engineering at The Recording Workshop in Ohio. After graduating I moved to Minneapolis and worked as a music buyer for the Electric Fetus, a record store. I formed a band that released three recordings on Big Money Records. At that time, I began modifying guitars for myself and others to make them sound and play better.

In 1992 I became a professional craftsman at a custom cabinet shop called Choice Wood. I was there for over twenty years. Our work appeared in many publications, including Architectural Digest, and on the cover of Midwest Home magazine.

In 2004 the idea of making an acoustic guitar led me to the Guitar Program at Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing, MN. Looking back, it seems that all of the experiences of the past were helpful steps for me to becoming a luthier. It really has combined my skills as a woodworker with a passion for music, and the science and art that I learned from my parents. In 2015 I returned to the college to teach guitar repair and building and at MSC Southeast.

My goal is to create instruments that are beautiful, have amazing sound quality, and are a joy to play. Historic guitars have had over a century of development, and they sound fantastic when made well. I don’t see a reason to experiment with the classic materials, adhesives, bracing patterns and body shapes. When it comes to great sound from a guitar, I look to the lessons of the past. But I do see an opportunity to make wooden instruments feel better and hold up to humidity issues better. You will see in the following pages examples of modern features that take guitar design forward.