“Why don’t you use oak for your acoustic guitars?” I asked. “You have a bunch of nice oak here. I saw that Martin used to make guitars out of oak.”

Steve was tall, had a mustache, and spoke only in idioms.

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“You could lose your children in the grain of an oak tree,” Steve said. His southern accent rang a bell of class. I had no idea what he was talking about.

It was early 2008. I was young and as confident as any eighteen-year-old with a guitar repair apprenticeship and a luthier certificate under their belt would be. I had just graduated from Atlanta Guitar Works guitar building school and was looking to further my education. I gazed enviously at Steve’s collection of exotic woods, woodworking machines, specialized luthier tools, and jigs.

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Stepping into Steve's guitar building sanctuary felt like a pilgrimage through a sacred realm of creativity. Steve, a master of his craft, made acoustic guitar building appear effortless. His instruments were symphonies of perfection; each meticulous detail was a testament to his unwavering commitment to perfection. His reputation resonated through the bluegrass community, and his handcrafted guitars commanded prices that reflected their attention to detail.

“If there is one thing that separates a good luthier from another, it’s attention to detail,” Steve would say.

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Whether it was destiny or divine intervention that orchestrated this meeting, it forever changed the course of our lives. I took my second apprenticeship with Steve, became close with his family, and have considered him a friend and mentor for my entire adult life.

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Beyond the realm of craftsmanship, Steve and his wife, Deborah, are emissaries of a higher grace. Their hearts radiate humility and kindness, and they share God's grace not only with me but with everyone who crosses their path. Their presence, for me, has enriched not only our craft but also our lives, infusing our journey with divine significance. I thank God every day that I have them with me on my journey. I want to share my life with others who hold the same values, and I encourage you to surround yourself with others who do the same.

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Obsessed with my passion for building guitars, I embarked on a journey that, little did I know, would lead to one of the most challenging and rewarding pursuits of my life. I started Custom Vibrations in 2010. I was able to open my first storefront, offering custom instruments, restoration, and repairs. The joy of creating, bringing heirlooms and memories back to life, got me thinking: How can I crank this up a notch? The answer seemed to be: Custom Vibrations School of Lutherie.

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For eight years, I taught people from all over the world how to build and repair guitars. I was proud to have one of the highest success rates of anyone in the industry. Most of our students went on to work at guitar factories, started guitar repair shops, or launched custom guitar brands of their own. I am proud of each and every one of my students and have always felt that if you have a gift, you should share it with others in a way that will impact their lives the most. I have always tried to inspire my students by incorporating life lessons into my instruction because it’s not just about building guitars. It’s about having the mentality and ambition to continuously improve.

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“Those who can’t do, teach…”

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As hard as I tried not to let that saying get to me, I knew that if there was anyone able to turn a dream of becoming a full-time guitar builder into a reality, it would be me. Words fall short when describing my dedication to guitar building, and I wanted to do something great. I believe big things are achievable on your own, but great things are achievable with great people. So, naturally, Steve, Deborah, and I joined forces and turned Custom Vibrations LLC into what it was always meant to be: a boutique guitar building company.

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I hold a steadfast belief that the energy and devotion I invest in each guitar reverberate in the melodies they produce. A guitar, to me, is not just a vessel for sound; it's a tangible embodiment of my passion for creation, the art of woodworking, and an unrelenting commitment to perfection. I aspire to craft not just an instrument but a companion that understands you in moments when words fall short, a confidant that shares your joys and sorrows, and stands as an eternal source of inspiration. Each strum should evoke a sense of connection, offering respite from life's challenges and nudging you off autopilot.

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These guitars are more than creations; they're vessels of emotion, conduits of expression, and bridges that connect souls. My aspiration is for you to embrace your guitar, feel its resonance, and sense the harmony between your spirit and its strings.

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— Chris Brinson