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Since Hippner guitars began appearing on the market ten years ago, they have been increasingly recognized for their outstanding quality and value. To date Darren has constructed well over 400 guitars and is in his 10th year as a luthier. These concert level instruments are carefully constructed in a hydronomically controlled setting to best preserve the integrity of the fine exotic and domestic woods used. During the construction process each component is installed and fitted by hand. There are no mechanizations used to make these instruments. Each instrument comprises months of considerable thought and care. Each individually hand crafted guitar is personally built by Darren, never overlooking even the slightest detail.Of course in order for one to really appreciate a Hippner guitar it must be heard and played. The high level exterior craftsmanship is obvious, however, that is not the most important feature of the guitar. It is the sound which pours forth from the depths of the guitar that warm and delight the ears of both players and listeners. The tonal qualities strived for are a well balanced, focused and responsive dynamic range with superlative overtones and depth. The wood has a history and it is this builder's deepest inspiration to provide both the aspiring guitarist and professional alike, that opportunity to play his guitars, to caress them, allowing the artist to sense the music coming from the depths of one's soul. Hippner guitars are now all over the world, from Hawaii to Brazil, from Seattle to New York City. No matter where you find Hippner instruments, you will find a guitar with unparalleled, distinctive sound which is certain to please even the most stringent guitar aficionado.

Darren comes from a family of carpenters & cabinet makers and is a 4th generation carpenter/cabinet maker. His great grandfather emigrated to America from Germany working as a carpenter & cabinet maker. Both his grandfather and father were home-builders & cabinet makers so it was natural for Darren to learn the fundamentals of woodworking. Having an interest in music he was attracted to the classical guitar and one day had an idea to build one for himself. As fortune would have it, he discovered a luthier nearby who was originally trained as a violin maker in Europe and then emigrated to America. Being a master luthier, he had successfully transitioned to guitar making. Darren was in his workshop admiring his fine guitars, asking questions how to make them and listening attentively as this master generously shared his knowledge & techniques. He went home and replicated this luthier’s guitar on his own for his first guitar. After returning to show the master his new guitar Darren was encouraged to continue building. The master explained that, rather than copying other luthiers’ guitars, it’s better to create your own original ideas. Darren made the decision to become a guitar maker and began his long journey on the path of becoming a master luthier himself. Being self-taught, he gained valuable knowledge over the years by collecting, playing and studying fine Spanish and flamenco guitars. In this way the old masters served as his teachers. After perfecting classical & flamenco guitars, he began building acoustic steel strings.

Point Roberts, Washington

Perf de Castro, Julia Crowe, Stefan Uriadka, Gordon Kreplin, Andrew Schulman, Vic Varney, James Durkee, Steve Mullin

Classical, Flamenco, Dreadnought, OM, Parlour

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