Meet Thomas Brenneman | Owner/Builder of Sonder Guitars

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

Hi Thomas, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Ultimately, I lost my career of 10+ years when covid hit. I had to get creative to make money and just utilized skills I had to do so. I had been building guitars for a number of years prior just as a hobby. I decided to use those skills and use connections I had made in the industry over the years through playing music and being sponsored by another guitar company to get the business rolling.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I build custom guitars. I don’t try to reinvent the wheel, I just use only the best materials and parts to make the highest grade instrument possible. I don’t cut any corners to try and save money on a build.

I’ve been building for probably 7 years now. I didn’t start the business, Sonder Guitars, until Covid hit. I lost my career of 10+ years and had to get creative on ways to make money. I had a strong connection to the industry due to being a musician and just utilized my connections to build the business from the ground up.

It definitely wasn’t easy, especially as I was trying to start a new business during a pandemic, but with my connections and marketing ability, made it work.

I have a true passion for guitars as they help express feelings, emotions, and art for people that play. That’s what they do for me, and being able to create something that can be therapeutic to someone is a dream.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First stop would be Angels Trumpet Ale House for the beer selection and wings. Other bar/food spots to hit would be Wren House, Glai Baan, Barrio Cafe. Would probably have to head up north to Flagstaff to hit Pizzicleta as well. I feel like when people come to AZ, they want to hike, so would probably take them around to hiking spots, maybe hit Sedona for that and the red rock views.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Uncle Dean and High School Music Teacher Richard Maxwell. Without the two of them, I would not be where I am today.

Website: sonderguitarsphx.com

Instagram: @sonderguitarsphx @thomas_brenneman

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasbrenneman/

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