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My Story

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My first guitar build is being played. My third guitar is in process on the workbench in the background. 
(Photo credit: Hannah Liddell)
 

Hello, my name is Ty Feigenspan.  I'm from Kalona, Iowa, a small town just a few miles south of Iowa City.  Growing up, I've always had an interest in creating things with my hands.  From an early age I made all sorts of creations with cardboard, paper, modeling clay and wood.  

Being so creative, it wasn't long until I started working for my dad in his cabinet shop.  There, I learned to use basic tools and developed my Iowa work ethic.  My dad taught me how to focus on detailed cabinet work even when it got hard.  Eventually, I learned that time spent sanding, scraping, and finishing can pay off in big ways.


I was a senior in high school when I had the idea of building a guitar.  By then I had developed an interest in learning how to get the perfect tones out of my instrument as I played electric guitar on my local church worship team.  Having some experience working with wood, I decided to give guitar building a try.  After long hours of online research and design, I dove into the process.  The project took lots of time but I surprised myself and came out with a very playable instrument.  While I now can see many flaws in this original project, I've played the instrument in many live sets and even used it on an album recording. I have since completed two other guitar builds and am currently working on my fourth.


After years of seeing guitar building as just a hobby, I have recently discovered that I will not be satisfied with pursuing this passion only in my free time.  Of all the types of carpentry I’ve worked in over the years, this is the craft that leaves me the most energized and fulfilled.  It is in this space where I lose track of time and fully immerse myself in my work.  Therefore, I have decided to leave my career in the construction industry and enroll in the Guitar Repair and Building program in Red Wing, MN.  I'm looking forward to building on the skills I've gained as a professional carpenter as well as the luthier skills I've already learned through self-guided research.  I invite you to join me on my journey as I gain skills and make new discoveries.


~Ty


In the shop with my assistant.




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