Pre-War Guitars Co.

Pre-War Guitars Co.

Also known as: Pre-War Guitars, Prewar Guitars, Pre War Guitars

Unclaimed

Pre-War Guitars Co. is a boutique acoustic guitar builder based in Hillsborough, North Carolina, founded in 2014 by luthiers Wes Lambe and Ben Maschal. The company specializes in handcrafted reproductions inspired by the flat-top acoustics of the 1930s and early 1940s, aiming to capture the tone, feel, and visual character of pre-war Martin and Gibson-style instruments.

The shop's core lineup ...

more

Pre-War Guitars Co. is a boutique acoustic guitar builder based in Hillsborough, North Carolina, founded in 2014 by luthiers Wes Lambe and Ben Maschal. The company specializes in handcrafted reproductions inspired by the flat-top acoustics of the 1930s and early 1940s, aiming to capture the tone, feel, and visual character of pre-war Martin and Gibson-style instruments.

The shop's core lineup includes the Dreadnought (Model D), 000/OM, and Slope Shoulder (Model J). Construction emphasizes traditional materials and methods, including hot hide glue for bracing, torrefied Sitka and Adirondack spruce tops, and hand-carved torrefied brace wood intended to replicate the dry, aged response of vintage guitars. Tonewood options range from mahogany and East Indian rosewood to Brazilian rosewood, and buyers can specify varying levels of aging and distress, from lightly played to heavily relic'd.

The brand has built a following among fingerstyle and roots-music players, and its instruments are carried by specialty dealers such as Elderly Instruments, The Music Emporium, and Kauffmann's Guitar Store.

Pre-War Guitars Co. has 7 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Steel-string Acoustic Guitars. Their gear is featured by 7 artists, with the strongest followings in Folk, World, & Country, Rock, and Jazz. Notable users include Molly Tuttle, Andrew Marlin, and Jason Isbell.

Artists Who Use Pre-War Guitars Co.

Molly Tuttle uses 2 Pre-War Guitars Co. products

Molly Tuttle

Singer, Guitarist · ♀♀♀♀: The Collaboration

Andrew Marlin uses 2 Pre-War Guitars Co. products

Andrew Marlin

Singer, Guitarist · Watchhouse

Jason Isbell uses 1 Pre-War Guitars Co. product

Jason Isbell

Guitarist, Singer · Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Tommy Emmanuel uses 1 Pre-War Guitars Co. product

Tommy Emmanuel

Guitarist

Ashley McBryde uses 1 Pre-War Guitars Co. product

Ashley McBryde

Singer

David Grier uses 1 Pre-War Guitars Co. product

David Grier

Guitarist · Psychograss

Emily Frantz uses 1 Pre-War Guitars Co. product

Emily Frantz

Singer, Guitarist · Watchhouse

Are you on the Pre-War Guitars Co. team?

  • Be the first to know when an artist is spotted using Pre-War Guitars Co. gear
  • Curate the Pre-War Guitars Co. catalog, images, and product details
  • Respond to community photos and reviews of Pre-War Guitars Co. gear
  • See how Pre-War Guitars Co. gear is trending on Equipboard