1973
Opened my first workshop in Seattle Washington.. Tools included a knife, a couple chisels, white gas torch and steel pipe for bending wood, Japanese handsaw, 2 speed sabre saw, hand drill, homemade clamps and rope. Finish was home made Michelman violin varnish applied by felt pad.
1975
Moved to Detroit Michigan to study with my teacher Maestro Richard Schneider. Worked with Richard and Dr. Michael Kasha on classical and steel string guitar design and repaired guitars at Fiddlers Music in Grosse Pointe.
1975-1984
Followed my teacher to Kalamazoo Michigan where Richard became Gibson’s guitar designer. I also worked for Gibson, as a modelmaker at first, building prototypes of new models and artist guitars, then eventually I became one of their designers.
1984-2008
Opened my own custom guitar shop in Paw Paw Michigan. I built many guitar styles, including the first Pathmaker and Florentine models.
2008-2013
Accepted a position at Sweetwater in Fort Wayne Indiana to help with their guitar shop. It was a honor to work with there with the finest team in MI retail.
2013-PRESENT
Moved to the Huadu District of Guangzhou China to open a custom guitar shop again. Back to my roots again, making guitars by hand. Only the finest guitars.
Builder Hometown:
China
Builder Website:
https://www.wechterguitars.com/
Artists who play these instruments:
John Denver, Al Dimeola, Danny Flowers,
1973
Opened my first workshop in Seattle Washington.. Tools included a knife, a couple chisels, white gas torch and steel pipe for bending wood, Japanese handsaw, 2 speed sabre saw, hand drill, homemade clamps and rope. Finish was home made Michelman violin varnish applied by felt pad.
1975
Moved to Detroit Michigan to study with my teacher Maestro Richard Schneider. Worked with Richard and Dr. Michael Kasha on classical and steel string guitar design and repaired guitars at Fiddlers Music in Grosse Pointe.
1975-1984
Followed my teacher to Kalamazoo Michigan where Richard became Gibson’s guitar designer. I also worked for Gibson, as a modelmaker at first, building prototypes of new models and artist guitars, then eventually I became one of their designers.
1984-2008
Opened my own custom guitar shop in Paw Paw Michigan. I built many guitar styles, including the first Pathmaker and Florentine models.
2008-2013
Accepted a position at Sweetwater in Fort Wayne Indiana to help with their guitar shop. It was a honor to work with there with the finest team in MI retail.
2013-PRESENT
Moved to the Huadu District of Guangzhou China to open a custom guitar shop again. Back to my roots again, making guitars by hand. Only the finest guitars.