Rob Budzinski, born in Harrisburg, PA, is a luthier whose passion for guitar building was ignited by the iconic designs of early Grateful Dead guitars built by Alembic. With a BS in Marketing from Edinboro University of PA and an MBA from Temple University, Rob brings a unique blend of business acumen and artistic vision to his craft. For over two decades, he has been meticulously handcrafting guitars in Pennsylvania, focusing on lightweight semi-hollow and chambered designs that produce airy and resonant tones. His creations are primarily neck-through constructions, embodying the intricate “hippie sandwich” style that pays homage to the golden age of custom guitars.

What sets Rob’s guitars apart is his unwavering commitment to traditional craftsmanship and attention to detail. Each instrument is entirely handmade in Pennsylvania without the use of CNC machines, ensuring a level of artistry that’s increasingly rare in modern guitar manufacturing. Rob’s signature touch is the scalloped headstock, a unique detail that adds both visual appeal and tonal character. The guitars are finished with nitrocellulose lacquer and polished to a mirror finish, allowing the wood to breathe and age naturally over time. This combination of innovative design, inspired by the Grateful Dead’s custom instruments, and meticulous hand-crafting results in guitars that are not only visually stunning but also deliver exceptional sound quality and playability. In 2021 Rob was fortunate to purchase one of Bob Weir’s personal guitars which he uses as inspiration as he builds his own guitars.