Paul Jacobson Guitars

Paul H. Jacobson Biography

I was born in 1940 in Woburn Massachusetts and spent most of my growing-up years in the suburbs of Washington, DC. Since 1967 I have lived in the area of Kansas City, MO. Since 1987 I have made my home in the ruburbs (rural suburbs) of Kansas City, where peaceful surroundings can, when necessary, ameliorate the stresses of the luthier's life.

I began my luthiery career working as an apprentice with Macario Briseo, a classical guitar maker in Kansas City, from June 1972 to September 1973 and made my first instrument, a classical guitar, in 1972. I have also made a number of steel-string acoustic and twelve string guitars and have done repair and customizing work on virtually every kind of fretted instrument. Since 1980 I have focused solely on classical guitars, largely because that's the music I love most. In 1984 I collected my life's last paycheck (as a railroad switchman) in order to give my guitars whatever I have to offer.

The Guitar Workshop, Inc. now consists of two people: me, and my wife Carol, who does no luthing but helps me in so many ways, more ways than I can recount... listening to me while smiling and attentive (if uncomprehending) as I prate about my work in luthierbabble, correcting my spelling and grammar (she's an English teacher), warding off telemarketers, criticizing me (but never harshly, though she once told me I was "born to luth," get it, luuth), etc., etc. If you're enjoying your Jacobson guitar, give her at least half the thanks.
Paul Jacobson

Artists who play Jacobson: William Kanengiser, Marcos Diaz