Jeffrey Elliott

Jeffrey R. Elliott, USA

Jeffrey R. Elliott was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Detroit, Michigan. He began playing guitar at age sixteen and immediately fell in love with the sound of the classical guitar, which led to his performing folk music professionally while majoring in Fine Arts at Michigan State University. In 1964, a chance visit to Richard Schneider's workshop in Detroit opened the door to the world of lutherie, and two years later he began a six-year apprenticeship with Schneider. In 1973 he moved to Portland, Oregon, where he resides with fellow luthier Cyndy Burton.

In 1975 Jeffrey wrote and co-produced the color slide presentation The Handcrafted Classic Guitar, which accompanied one of his guitars in the Smithsonian Institution's 1978-1979 Renwick Gallery exhibit, "The Harmonious Craft," in Washington, D.C. Since then Jeffrey has been an active member of the Guild of American Luthiers as an author for American Lutherie magazine and as a convention lecturer and exhibitor. He has also been a participant/organizer for Portland's annual NW Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibit, has taught guitar making at the American School of Lutherie, and continues to provide private and small group instruction in his workshop.

While Jeffrey R. Elliott's classical guitars are based on the Torres/Hauser design tradition, he has evolved his own interpretation that is reflected in his exceptional instruments —magnificent works of art, possessing unsurpassed musical refinement, purity, and beauty of sound. Clientele include: Julian Bream, Ralph Towner, Marcelo Kayath, Leo Kottke, Jonathan Leathwood, Paul Chasman, Dick Weissman, Earl Klugh, and Burl Ives. (Read an in depth interview with Jeffrey R. Elliott by clicking here).

Jeffrey R. Elliott

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