Zimnicki Guitars

08/28/2026

08/27/2026

I recently finished this Stauffer/Viennese style guitar, designed in the first half of the 19th Century. Johann Stauffer is most often associated with this style of instrument, and is also recognize as the inventor of the 6-in-a-line tuner (Not Leo Fender), but there were any number of European luthiers building this style of guitar. The soundboard is ladder braced and a mere 12 1/4" across the lower bout. The most unique feature is the neck attachment: The neck pivots on a brass strip in the head block and is secured with a screw that can be tightened or loosened with a clock key, which allows a quick and easy adjustment of the neck angle and, thus, the string height. It was a challenge this first time, but I know I will be building at least one more, and that should go a bit more smoothly.

08/19/2026

I glued the bridge onto this classical guitar today. It's almost finished!

07/28/2026

Gluing the bridge onto the multi scale dreadnought.

07/14/2026

Here I am installing binding and purfling lines on a 15" archtop.

06/23/2026

Two 17" archtops under construction. One with European ma0le and spruce, the other with North American maple and spruce.

06/07/2026

Here's an interesting contrast. Two of my current projects are a 1960ish SG style solid body electric guitar with a glued in neck, and an 1830ish Viennese, Stauffer- style classical guitar with an adjustable neck.

05/29/2026

05/26/2026

Making the slanted bridge and getting the string spacing right is a big challenge, but this multi-scale dreadnought is almost ready for lacquer.

04/20/2026

Here is another chance to win a guitar built in my shop. It is an old Martin 000-18 kit, which is no longer available. The kit was an extra from one of my last classes at SBWI.

Friends of the school and Zimnicki Guitars lovers know what time it is. 🎸

We are raffling off a stunning, handmade acoustic guitar crafted by luthiers Gary Zimnicki and Jeffrey Kline.

Tickets are just $5 each or 5 for $20, with proceeds supporting SBWI programs. Valued at over $4,000, the guitar is on display at SBWI, where tickets can also be purchased in person.

The winner will be drawn on May 30 at 7 PM during the 2026 Wood Design commencement ceremony. Ticket link in the comments.