Willie Carter guitars are designed and built in Santa Cruz, California.

With 20 plus years experience as an audio engineer Willie brings an exciting and fresh approach to his guitar making. His designs borrow from tradition but have a tasteful modern aesthetic.

Willie came to guitar making after researching the instrument hoping to gain a better understanding for both studio and stage use. After interviewing several builders he found that there was one bit of wisdom they all shared -- "Build a guitar in order to understand it."

In the summer of 1999 Willie ventured to Oshawa, Canada to study with Sergei de Jonge. A new passion was born. Unexpectedly, he fell in love with the process of building and never looked back.

Willie has had the honor of displaying his work at both the Healdsburg Guitar Festival and the Newport Guitar Festival.