Who is Bill Wise

In 1996, while searching for a new guitar to satisfy his desire for a high quality fingerstyle instrument, those who knew of Bill's extraordinary wood-working talent suggested that he build his own. He had never really thought about building a guitar until that moment. Though he loved woodworking and guitars, he had never considered putting the two interests together. However, after stringing up his first instrument and hearing the clarity and beauty of its music, he decided to become a luthier full time.

It was then that Charis Acoustic was born.

The demanding skills and attention to detail required to design and build a superior guitar were not new to Bill. During his 15 years in the engineering profession, he was recognized on a number of occasions for his outstanding work in the industry, including:

• Receiving grants for seven United States Patents
• Receiving three defensive publications
• Being selected by the GM President's Council as one of the top 100 individuals of General Motors in 1995
• Receiving the prestigious Charles "Boss" Kettering award from Delphi Delco Electronics Systems in 1995
• Being inducted into the Delphi Automotive Innovation Hall of fame in 1999.

Despite his success in the engineering profession, it was his passion for creating guitars, which ultimately drove him to follow this new career path.

Music and craftsmanship are woven into the fabric of Bill's heritage. His father and grandfather are both excellent craftsmen and mechanical designers, and his mother's family exudes artistic and musical talent. With such a rich combination of genetics and family influence, it's no wonder Bill has found his way to this unique pursuit.

Models Offered

Dream Series Descriptive text about Dream Series Specifications	Image Placeholder
Small Jumbo The Small Jumbo is a versatile guitar that adds power and depth to the responsiveness of a Grand Concert. With a rounded profile, this guitar is narrow at the waist yet broad behind the bridge and can handle both finger picking and flat-picking styles with ease. Its deep bass, clear treble, and sweet mid range projects well, with a depth and power that are characteristic to this instrument. This instrument is specifically designed to excel in dropped and/or altered tunings. Specifications Lower Bout width - 15 1/4 inches Upper Bout width - 11 3/8 inches Waist width - 9 3/8 inches Overall Body Length - 19 1/2 Depth - 4 3/8 at the end block and 3 7/8 at the heal Scale Length - 25.6 inches Fingerboard Radius 16 inches standard. Others are available. I offer 2 1/8 or 2 1/4 string spacing at the saddle as standards. Nut widths of 1 11/16, 1 3/4, and 1 13/16 are standards.
Grand Concert Created with greater intimacy and comfort in mind, the Grand Concert is a smaller guitar with acute clarity, balanced response, and scaled down proportions. Specifications Lower Bout width - 14 7/8 inches Upper Bout width - 11 inches Waist width - 9 inches Overall Body Length - 19 1/4 Depth - 4 3/8 at the end block and 3 7/8 at the heal Scale Length - 25.6 inches Fingerboard Radius 16 inches standard. Others are available. I offer 2 1/8 or 2 1/4 string spacing at the saddle as standards. Nut widths of 1 11/16, 1 3/4, and 1 13/16 are standards.

Craftmanship - The Crafting of a Charis Acoustic Guitar

Charis Acoustic instruments are designed using both high and low tech methods. Computer aided modeling is used to help design the guitars and ensure all aspects of the instrument are addressed in terms of quality, and playability. A CNC Router is used to machine many of the guitar parts that must be duplicated with absolute precision. This process, in particular, is where Bill's engineering expertise, and the influence of his father's superior designing and machinist skills, are highly valuable to the overall process.

Though the CNC is extremely useful, the final touches are done by hand and by ear, to ensure every piece of wood is being used to its potential, and to test and measure the final results with an acute level of attention to every detail.

Rather than using the term "hand built", Bill prefers the term "personally crafted". Whether he makes a cut with a chisel or with a program he designs for the CNC, the final decision for where and how the cut needs to be performed, rests in his hands.

Bill chooses to use his passion, strengths and unique skills - whether by hand or with the computer - to create the most God honoring instruments that he possibly can. Based on client feedback and the smiles that appear when a Charis Acoustic is being played, his craftsmanship speaks for itself.