Bilt

Also known as: BilT Guitars

BilT Guitars is a boutique custom guitar maker based in Des Moines, Iowa, founded in 2008 by luthiers Tim Thelen and Bill Henss, whose names combined form the brand. The company builds instruments entirely by hand without CNC machinery, offering extensive customization across body shapes, finishes, pickups, and onboard electronics.

The shop is best known for the Relevator, an offset-style guit...

12 Products · Used by 26 Artists

Bilt SS Zaftig Electric Guitar Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars

$3,450.55

1 available store

5.0 (6)

14 artists using

Bilt Corvaire Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars

3 artists using

Bilt Relevator Solid Body Electric Guitars

5.0 (2)

7 artists using

Bilt "The Relevator LS" Electric Guitar Solid Body Electric Guitars

5.0 (1)

7 artists using

Bilt Volare Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars

6 artists using

Bilt Relevator with Effects Solid Body Electric Guitars

Bilt ESG Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars

$2,399.99 - $2,519.00

2 available stores

Bilt El Hombré Custom Solid Body Electric Guitars

2 artists using

Bilt Corvaire Bass Electric Basses

Bilt Merc Solid Body Electric Guitars

Bilt Relevator LS Solid Body Electric Guitars

$1,975.00

1 available store

Bilt Zaftig Bass Electric Basses

The shop is best known for the Relevator, an offset-style guitar loosely inspired by the Fender Jazzmaster that is often built with onboard effects circuits. Other models include the Rele, Relevator LS, El Hombre, Merc, ESG, S.S. Zaftig, and the Volaré, along with bass counterparts such as the Rele Bass, Relevator Bass, Zaftig Bass, and Volaré Bass. Doubleneck configurations and integrated effects builds are also part of the lineup.

BilT instruments have been played by artists including Nels Cline, Mastodon's Brent Hinds, the Melvins' Buzz Osborne, Limp Bizkit's Wes Borland, Imagine Dragons' Wayne Sermon, and The Killers' Dave Keuning. The brand has developed a reputation in boutique and experimental guitar circles for accommodating unusual requests and pairing vintage-influenced designs with modern electronics.

Bilt has 12 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars, Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars, and Electric Basses. Their gear is featured by 26 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Folk, World, & Country. Notable users include Wayne Sermon, Taylor York, and Nels Cline.