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Are custom options available?

Not generally, but it never hurts to ask. Some things like pickguards, plating, fret sizes, etc can be accommodated, while other features such as pickups, custom wiring or hardware are more laborious and harder to work in.

Could I visit your workshop?

The workshop is on the far north of Kalamazoo in a zoned industrial district. Accommodating visitors is not so easily done. Check out the website for photos and media of where and how the instruments are made.

Is Kal-Tone done?

I closed Kal-Tone in December of 2022 after 8 years. Despite most of the business coming from repairs and restorations, I was (after 25 years) ready to shift my efforts from fixing to creating and wanted to rebrand. The old name and logo from 2008 were dusted off and now I’m rebranded as they say. Kal-Tone is not done, and I plan on using the name for some series of models as well as some other small items. And of course, if you are an original owner of a Kal-Tone guitar, Charters Guitars honors your warranty.

How do I try out a guitar if there is no dealer in my area?

Buying a guitar without playing it is often problematic, but seems to be the way the world works today with fewer and fewer guitar shops around. If for any reason you don’t love a guitar, there is an easy return/refund process.

Artist endorsements / business to business…

Discounts are offered to a limited number of professional musicians and businesses that I collaborate with. Please contact me with your ideas and I’ll see if it’s something that can be done.

Did you work for Gibson and Heritage?

Gibson left town when I was 5. At 19 I began learning lutherie from Abe Wechter, the former acoustic “Research and Design” guy at Gibson. I spent a lot of time later with Chuck Burge who was the electric R&D counterpart there. In 2001 I worked for Heritage Guitars and the 4 original owners for about a year until leaving to open my first business. I grew up 20 min away from Kzoo in Paw Paw and have spent most of my adult life in Kalamazoo working professionally on guitars. As one can imagine, I’ve met most of the guitar people in the area and have been lucky to learn at least a little something from everyone.