Meet Michael Swisher | Luthier / Guitar Builder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Swisher and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve been a guitar player since the age of 10. I’ve always modified and changed the guitars that I owned to fit my needs, and I had even purchased many guitars simply to make changes. About 10 years ago I thought, what if I just started from scratch. I did a lot of research and started making templates, and creating designs, buying tools and I crafted as much as could from raw materials. I made about 15 guitars. Each one got better and better and eventually I thought, maybe I have the talent and expertise to create these instruments, and maybe there is a market of guitar enthusiasts and musicians who might be interested in owning them. I really love making guitars, and I put a lot of effort into making sure I have everything right on the instrument so that it plays beautifully.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I start each guitar with a few blocks of wood, and I hand craft everything into a final product. I do make some shapes that are common in the marketplace, but I have also created some designs on my own. I like symmetry in design, so I like making and designing shapes that are pleasing to the eye. I am really excited about my super strat which is called the Machine. It’s very symmetrical and a very well balanced instrument. I’d call them my flagship product. I don’t make my own hardware, but I always use quality products in every build. I’ve spent 10 years perfecting this craft, so when you purchase one of my instruments, you are getting years of trial and error, lots of changes in processes, and experimentation to get things just right. I make my instruments one at a time, so I spend a ton of time on the set up and finish work making sure it’s perfect before it’s shipped out.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There is so much to do in Arizona, For sure there would be some hiking involved, and we’d visit The Lost Dutchman State Park or The San Tan Mountain Regional park, just to be out in the desert and enjoy the fresh air. While out in Apache Junction, a trip to the Goldfield Ghost town is always fun. I’d definitely plan a few day trips, visiting Sedona, Tombstone or Bisbee for sure. Sedona’s stunning red rock formations and beautiful scenery make it a perfect destination for adventure seekers. Tombstone is one of the most iconic Wild West towns in the United States. We stop there often, and enjoy the street shows, shopping and nostalgic buildings and museums. Bisbee is a charming and artsy town known for its historic architecture, art galleries, and eclectic shops. It’s a great place to go to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. It was also a major mining town, The Copper Queen mine tour is a must on any tourists visit. We live in San Tan Valley, so luckily we have San Tan Flat nearby. The food and atmosphere is amazing. Indoor and outdoor dining, live music, entertainment, fire pits and so much more. It’s just a wonderful place. We are also close to a little known Mexican restaurant called Casa De Mina. The food there is always fresh and the service is unbeatable.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife is my biggest supporter. She is behind me 100%. She encourages me to think outside the box and push my creativity further. I run ideas by her sometimes, and she’s honest if she doesn’t like it, but she always has a suggestion or alternative if she doesn’t. She is super supportive of the brand too, I think she owns more Swisher Guitars tees, tank tops and hoodies than anyone on the planet.

Website: https://www.swisherguitars.com

Instagram: @swisherguitars

Twitter: @swisherguitars

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swisherguitars

Youtube: @swisherguitars

Other: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/swisherguitars/

Image Credits
Image Credits: Michael Swisher