Top-quality guitars,mandolins, ukuleles, violins, banjos, and other instruments for all acoustic genres

Ready to go!
Gerry Snelson has designed a new line of ukuleles that are customizable and quite affordable, and with all the features and quality of a Skipper instrument. Standard features boast mahogany construction, slotted headstock, ebony fretboard and pin bridge, tortoise celluloid binding and pickguard, and abalone inlays. At right is a just-completed upscale model.

The introductory price makes these instruments a real bargain; don't let this opportunity pass you by.

Go (here) to see a video of the major stages in the construction of the new all-mahogany tenor ukulele, and (here) to hear the finished uke played by Andrew Nelson of Aurora Celtic. a West Virginia band whose members now play six Skipper instruments. Here's an unsolicited testimonial from band member Mike Broderick.

This guitar-bodied octave mandolin is finished, ready for delivery, and a quite fancy tenor ukulele is in the finishing room. Just underway is a "Wee Skipper" guitar.

Other recent projects are pictured below. Whether you're looking for a custom guitar, mandolin, ukulele, bass, banjo, resonator guitar, violin, dulcimer, or an instrument of your own design, yet to be named, you've come to the right place.

Also recently completed were extensive repairs to a 1935 Martin Guitar. Go to What's happening now for up-to-date shop information, and for a peek at the four new models of guitars under development.

If you'd like to know more about these instruments, or how to create a custom instrument of your own, send us an e-mail.

If you'd like to watch me at work, this recent youtube documentary of my work came from FSU's Appalachian Studies program. Be sure to watch all three parts.

All but one of the Skipper guitars in stock at Gruhn's Guitars in Nashville have sold, but the one that remains is a beautiful, one-of-a-kind instrument designed by George Gruhn, and one that's made a number of trips backstage at the Opry. You missed the others, but it's not too late to snag this special instrument. Simply search his inventory for "Skipper" for photos, details, and pricing.

A couple of used instruments have also become available, and will go quickly.

Below are some thumbnails of recent work that will open to larger photos.

If you have questions or comments, or if you're ready to build, contact us.