Custom Acoustic Guitars - Built Around You

A Lutra custom acoustic guitar starts with a conversation, not a catalogue. Tell me how you play, what you love the sound of, and what wood speaks to you - and we'll build something that's genuinely yours.

Why go custom?

Every guitar on this site started life as someone's idea of what they wanted — but a custom build means it starts with yours. Maybe you've got small hands and a dreadnought's never felt right. Maybe you want a guitar built from English walnut because it means something to you. Maybe you just want to be part of the process, from the first sketch to the final polish.

That's what custom building is for. It's slower, it's more involved, and it's worth it.

How does it work?

Custom acoustic guitar builds typically take 3-4 months from deposit to completion, depending on the queue and complexity of the build. I'll always give you a realistic estimate up front, and keep you posted if anything shifts.

  • It starts with an email or a call. I'll ask about how you play, the tone you're chasing, any guitars you've loved (or hated), and what kind of budget and timeline you're working with. No pressure, no obligation - just a chat.

  • From there we settle on the body shape, scale length, wood pairing, and any custom details - rosette design, inlay, headstock shape. I'll talk you through what different woods and shapes actually do to the sound, not just how they look.

  • Once we've agreed on the spec, a deposit secures your place in the build queue. If you'd like to choose the actual set of wood yourself - some clients like to see photos of a few options - I'll send those over before anything's cut.

  • This is where the guitar actually takes shape - bracing, bending sides, carving the neck, fitting the bridge. I share progress as I go, usually through photos or short videos, so you're not left wondering what's happening for months on end.

  • Once the guitar is built, it gets a full setup — action, intonation, saddle and nut fitting — dialled in specifically for how you play. This step is as important as the build itself; it's what makes a guitar feel right in your hands.

  • Come and collect it in Berkshire and we'll go through the guitar together.

How About a Parlour Guitar?

Small Guitar, Big Personality

What’s a parlour guitar?
A parlour guitar is a small-bodied acoustic, originally designed for playing in the parlour (living room) of a Victorian home. They’re smaller than a dreadnought or OM, but they’ve got a lot more to say than you’d expect.

Why people love them

Whether it’s your first acoustic or the one that completes the collection, a parlour is a guitar you’ll reach for again and again. They are…

  • Compact and comfortable. Easy to hold, easy to reach around, and great for smaller players or anyone who likes a guitar that doesn’t get in the way.

  • Easy to take anywhere. Throw it in the car, take it on the train, keep it by the sofa. It’s the guitar you’ll actually pick up.

  • Big sound for the size. A well-built parlour has a warm, punchy, focused tone that really surprises people. Great for fingerstyle, blues, folk and songwriting.

Make it yours
Every parlour is built to order, so you get to choose:

  • Nylon or steel strings. Soft and mellow, or bright and ringing.

  • Slotted or solid headstock. The classic slotted look, or a solid headstock for a cleaner, more modern feel.

Not sure which suits you? Get in touch and we’ll talk it through.

Start a Conversation

Choosing Your Wood

Every piece of wood has its own character - grain, weight, colour, and the way it responds under your hands. I work with a lot of English tonewoods, because I love the story of a guitar built from timber grown closer to home: walnut, cherry, fenland black oak, lacewood. I also work with more traditional choices like rosewood and ebony where the build calls for it.

  • English Walnut - warm, chocolatey mids, beautiful figure

  • Cherry - bright and articulate, ages to a deep amber

  • Fenland Black Oak - bold, dramatic grain, deep low end

  • Lacewood - striking fleck pattern, crisp top end

  • Rosewood - classic scooped mids, rich overtones

  • Ebony - dense, precise, used mainly for boards & bridges

Not sure what's right for your build? That's exactly what the first conversation is for.

Got Questions?

  • Typically it takes 3-4 months from deposit to collection but it depends on how busy we are and the complexity of the build. I will always keep you posted with regular updates.

  • Yes to a point. Certain woods are good for some things but not for others. I can make recommendations and present a shortlist of options where appropriate.

  • That's completely normal - most people start with a rough idea and we refine it together during the first conversation.

  • I can make acoustics in the OM, OOO, Parlour and Spanish Classical formats.

    I don’t make electrics, 12-strings, basses, or left handed at this point.

  • Yes of course. It would have to be by appointment. It helps to get a feel for the operation and a face to face conversation is always better than email tennis.

    There may well be instruments in stock that you can try too.

If you like the sound of building something truly your own, get in touch - use this form to tell me a bit about what you're after, and we'll take it from there.

Ready to Start?