Meet Greg German | Luthier

We had the good fortune of connecting with Greg German and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Greg, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I don’t think it’s really a choice. I have to produce something tangible on a regular basis. It scratches an itch. Design ideas hit me and become obsessions that I have to work and re-work. Over the years, engineering problems have slowly crept in to become as rewarding as art-for-art’s-sake. That seems funny to me now since I did so poorly in math and physics in my teens – but now I am inspired by functional sculpture.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was originally trained to be a medical illustrator. I got a Master’s degree in Biomedical Communications and started out doing 3D modeling and animation. That sounds like a very different pursuit from building musical instruments, but there is a connection: both careers combine art and science. Medical illustration involves anatomy and clinical medicine mixed with painting and drawing. Lutherie requires engineering know-how and the physics of sound mixed with hand skills for carving wood into elegant curves. It’s a similar head space for me.
Filing a patent for a new kind of neck joint is my proudest highlight – that has been the most gratifying accomplishment of my career. The invention solves several common problems that guitar owners face.
My neck joint design works like a hinge. It allows the player to change the neck angle to make the instrument easier to play. The neck angle must be adjusted by a luthier every 30 years or so on a typical instrument by way of major surgery in a woodworking sense. My joint obviates that. It also allows the player to remove the neck entirely for shipping or air travel.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Rock climbing is another obsession for me. I spend every good weather day I can in Eldorado Canyon State Park. I take friends and family there even if they don’t climb.
Food: brunch at Safta is a favorite.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife listened to me say, ‘I’m going to quit my teaching job and apprentice in guitar repair’ – and she didn’t tell me I was crazy. She has been very supportive for decades, despite the fact that the path of the luthier is not a ‘get rich quick’ plan…

Website: https://germanguitars.com

Image Credits
All photos © Greg German