At the time, Don was playing a Martin 000M, but the guitar's generic tone and construction left him unsatisfied. He knew if he wanted the sound he was searching for, he'd have to build it himself. Not long after meeting TW, Don found himself in his workshop, which housed nearly 18 unfinished guitars, many of which were going to be given to people that “needed a good guitar.”  It was clear from the start that TW’s craft was about more than just making money—it was about creating extraordinary instruments that often seemed to find their own way into the world.

Don became TW’s student, sweeping floors to help pay for his lessons. When TW relocated his shop, Don followed and eventually became an apprentice. There, he learned the core principles of luthiery: precise joinery, attention to detail, patience, and most importantly—tone. TW encouraged Don’s creativity and allowed him the freedom to experiment and learn through mistakes. Together, they fostered a shared philosophy that guitar building isn’t about competition. Each luthier creates unique instruments, and players gravitate towards the guitars that best suit their style and sound.

Over the years, Don helped TW teach others to build their dream guitars, and many of those students became friends. Witnessing someone strum the first chords on a guitar they built is an experience Don cherishes.

Now retired, Don has partnered with TW to produce high-quality instruments at prices working musicians can afford. Their mission isn’t to create ornate works of art, but to build exceptional instruments that enhance the musician’s craft. Don and TW share a core philosophy that luthiers are not competitors, as each builds guitars uniquely suited to different players. Someone whose style and taste matches one builder’s work may not find satisfaction in another’s, and that’s perfectly fine — there’s room for all.