The Tonewood Masters Project

Note: This is a temporary staging site; we're currently building out a proper website and design architecture for the project. Thanks for your patience while images load.
Tonewood Masters is an ambitious multi-media initiative that honors the artistry of master luthiers and the creativity of master guitarists, illuminating the inspiration and innovation that drive both makers and players. To these ends, Tonewood Masters aims to become the vibrant nexus where the art of crafting and playing fine acoustic guitars is elevated and amplified—and in the process, establish Tonewood Masters as the new epicenter and platform for all that is excellent in the field of fine acoustic guitars and its players.
The centerpiece of this project is the Tonewood Masters Collection of fine modern instruments—flattop, archtop, classical, and specialty. In addition to film, audio, and other media, this unique collection will be featured in a special edition signed, numbered, and slip-cased hardcover coffee table book, and a softcover trade edition. Featuring stunning original photography of the guitars in beautiful locations around Bainbridge Island, WA, this high-end production will also include inspiring stories, histories, interviews, anecdotes, and artifacts that further illuminate these storied instruments.
Other aspects of the project include:
  • A permanent exhibit, where the collection will be available for invited and visiting artists to play and record.
  • A high-production value film series showcasing artists playing and discussing the Tonewood Masters collection. The series design also includes captivating performances, workshops, and visits to the workshops of renowned luthiers.
  • Production and compilation of companion recordings, as well as curated streaming playlists featuring the Tonewood Masters collection and artists’ performances through our Shadegrown Music label.
  • Continuing editorial support via Collectible Guitar, Guitar Habit, and other partnered media.
In sum, the Tonewood Masters project showcases the harmonious interplay between the artisans who craft exquisite acoustic guitars and the virtuosos who bring them to life. It acknowledges that mastery of tonewoods transcends the skilled hands of luthiers, finding its ultimate expression in the creative minds and nimble fingers of the musicians who play them. Just as the makers challenge the conventions of traditional guitar building by blending time-honored techniques with groundbreaking innovations, the players push the boundaries of the instrument's expressive potential through their forays into uncharted musical landscapes. United in their passion, these Tonewood Masters—the makers and the players—are the vanguards of a new era in guitar artistry, one that honors the instrument's storied past while sculpting its future. Through this symbiotic relationship, they elevate the guitar to new heights of craftsmanship, creativity, and musical expression, leaving an indelible mark on the ever-evolving world of music.
The Bainbridge Island Carriage House, nestled on a tranquil 5-acre farm, is home to the Tonewood Masters Collection and Tonewood Labs Studio. Currently undergoing a purpose-built transformation from the studs up, the Carriage House will yield an inspiring exhibition and recording environment for experiencing the Tonewood Masters collection and archives. Additionally, a historic barn on the property, constructed of hand-hewn timber, will provide a warm, intimate setting for acoustic concerts.
For more information, contact John Schroeter at john@collectibleguitar.com

The Tonewood Masters "Performance Hall"—a historic circa 1933 barn—was constructed with hand-hewn timber harvested on the property. (Painting by Joanne Schoener Scott)