Biography

Following a lifelong love of woodworking as a hobby, having worked with cabinetry, home construction projects, furniture building and refinishing, I started my lutherie career in 2002, building my first guitar using William Cumpiano’s and Jonathan Natelson's textbook "Guitarmaking, Tradition and Technology" as my guide. I took the opportunity to study with William Cumpiano in 2003 at his Northampton, Massachusetts shop, where I learned many of the finer points of the craft. Since that time, I have continued to develop my lutherie skills, transitioning from a part-time guitarmaker to full time luthier in early 2007. I have also had the good fortune to be able to attend Ervin Somogyi's guitar voicing master class in 2007, where I gained much greater insight into the relationships among choice of woods, top bracing patterns, construction techniques, and their effects on the resultant sound and response of the guitar.

Building guitars for fingerstyle players is the focus of my efforts, and using the skills and knowledge I have gained from my teachers and continued development through my own experimentation, I work to achieve the perfect balance in playability, tone, sustain, and impeccable workmanship. I pay very strict attention to details, both inside the guitar and what is visible to the player. When commissioned to build a custom guitar, I work closely with the player to understand all of the player’s requirements and desires, and maintain this close communication throughout the building process.

My shop is located in suburban Baltimore, Maryland, where I build about 10 to 12 guitars a year.

Contact Information

Custom guitar orders begin at $3000, with final cost based on body style, wood selection, and specific features. A deposit of 50% is required for all custom orders, to cover the cost of materials and design time for the project. Balance is due at the time of shipment, and I will cover shipping costs. Completion time for custom guitars normally varies from 3 to 6 months depending on the model, features, and current backlog. During construction I will keep you apprised of the progress with email updates and photos of the work.

Current models include both OM and dreadnought body styles, various scale lengths. 12 string models are available. The OM model is also available in a cutaway version. Material options include choice of body tonewoods, rosette design, bindings, and tuner hardware. Every guitar comes with a custom fitted Ameritage case.

For more information on pricing, availability, or to just inquire about custom guitars, please either email or call me at:

MacCubbin Guitars E-mail

1.443.564.2616 (cell)