Gillander Guitars

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Gillander Guitars Handcrafted acoustic guitars made in Central New York. Fretted instrument repair by appointment.

Send me a message, or visit my website to learn more about my custom acoustic guitars. I also work on electric guitars, basses, banjos, mandolins and ukes.

10/07/2026

Choosing my tops for the next batch of guitars. Part of what makes a luthier-built guitar different from one built in the factory is that we have the time to carefully analyze and optimize every component that goes into the final product. Most factories work off of dimensional specs. Top thicknesses and bracing dimensions, for example, are standardized across an entire model production run. Unfortunately, there is nothing standardized about a piece of wood. Two pieces that look identical can have very different mass and stiffness properties. As a result, you can have 2 guitars that are identical on paper, built on the same day, place and time, and they will sound different. Different luthiers use different techniques to determine these characteristics in the wood they choose for their instruments. Some are more tactile, some more scientific, but most, I think rely on a balance of both. I use data to track information throughout the build process, and make adjustments along the way to optimize the tone and responsiveness. Also, by keeping detailed records, I can reference that information to improve the next guitars to leave my shop. A huge thanks is owed to my buddy Sam Guidry for helping me make sense of the data.

10/06/2026

No, that’s not a true story. This is a 00-18 from the early 1950’s that I picked up as a restoration project. However, most, if not all the damage done to this guitar is a result of a lack of humidity. Now that it’s getting colder and heating systems will soon be going strong, it’s critical to maintain proper humidity levels. Whether you use case humidifiers like Boveda sells, or room humidifiers, that’s up to you and your situation. Of course, I can be contacted to repair these types of issues, but it’s best to avoid them in the first place. Don’t wait until cracks appear to get some sort of humidity system in place.

10/05/2026

As a guitar maker and repairer, I have no interest in selling you on boutique picks. What I am interested in, however, is getting the most tone out of every guitar I make or repair. If you haven’t experimented with different pick shapes or materials, then you could be missing a small detail that could get you closer to the sound you’re looking for. If you’ve been using the same pick for years, it might still be worth exploring once in a while. Tastes and playing styles change. Guitars come and go. A pick that might not have worked for you in the past may become a must-have for one particular guitar in your collection. Check out my website for guitars, stands, or repairs, but not picks! Happy exploring!

10/01/2026

Guitar stands don’t need to look like camera tripods!

More info on my website. Message me to order.

09/30/2026

This is another alternative to the “luthier knot.” It adds an extra step and a little extra string length, but that’s fine. To be honest, I don’t mind what you do, as long as it doesn’t involve any unnecessary knotting. The comments over the past few videos have been interesting to read. Again, I urge you to try not using that awful knot. You might like the 2 proven alternatives I’ve shown. I’m guessing that if you’ve ever played a new guitar in a store at any point in your life, there’s a good chance it was strung using one of those 2 methods (not the luthier knot) at least once, and you didn’t even think twice.

09/29/2026

Part 3 of the “luthier knot” saga. This is just to show that you do not need the luthier’s knot, and that’s it. If you do the over/under thing, cool, I do that sometimes too! As long as you’re not knotting the string in a way that makes me annoyed when I remove the string, it’s all good! Like was mentioned by someone else in the comments of my last post, many factories use this method because it’s quick, clean, and easy, and it works! I’m guessing Taylor winds more strings in a day than the person that showed you the luthier’s knot ever did! Give it a shot. You might like it. You might even thank me the next time you change strings. If not, no worries!

09/28/2026

This isn’t new or revolutionary, but it is quick, easy, and effective. I think Taylor has a video showing this method as well. Opinions may vary, but this way makes me smile when I work on your guitar!

09/27/2026

Send me a message if you’re interested!

09/22/2026

The pile that should become my next 4 guitars!

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Oneida, NY
13421

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