T.W. Felty, born in the baby boomer generation in Grand Rapids, MI, like many of his peers, entered the service after high school and eventually found himself in Vietnam. Upon returning from Vietnam, not quite ready to settle down, he bought a Harmony Sovereign guitar, a Hohner Blues Harp, a backpack, and a sleeping bag, then set off on an adventure, hitchhiking across the country to meet the people he believed he had gone to war to save from the evils of communism.

Five years later, he returned to his home state to move forward with his life. He tried college, playing in bar bands, and working various dead-end jobs until he eventually enrolled in a CETA program to learn carpentry. Building things and playing guitar became a lifeline for him, yet there was still a sense of emptiness inside. As much as he loved being a carpenter, it wasn't quite enough. That's when he reached out to one of his father's friends, Eugene McGinnis, known as "Mugs."

Mugs, well-known in the area for buying and selling guitars, became his mentor and guided him through the world of guitar trading. When T.W. expressed his desire to build guitars, Mugs suggested he start with repairs. At his flea market, Mugs had a vast collection of guitars—Regals, Kay, Kalamazoo, and more. He also had a stash of old Martins and Gibsons hidden away, which were off-limits to anyone else. It was like walking in heaven for T.W.

He bought his first handmade guitar and was sorely disappointed. With his skills in building kitchens, staircases, furniture, and intricate home interiors, along with his experience repairing old guitars, he believed he could build guitars that met his high standards. Thus began his journey to craft guitars, a journey filled with many learning curves that he continues to refine even 50 years later.

T.W. eventually began teaching guitar-building and met Don, who became both a student and a good friend. Today, they are business partners, working together to build handmade guitars that play and sound as good as their custom models, using mostly local woods. Their goal is to create guitars that are both accessible and exceptional for players.

They are West Michigan Guitar Workshop, and they invite you to experience one of their creations.