Meet the Maker: Monty Guitars
Monty Guitars has a cult-like status, guitar-maker Brian Monty builds instruments in the Village of Lougheed, Alberta, Canada
Monty Guitars builds guitars by hand, creating professional-quality guitars that have built a reputation for being some of the best money can buy. Brian Monty is the luthier behind this Canadian company, and he took some time out of his busy schedule to talk with us.
What got you into building instruments?
I have been playing guitar for fifty years. From the age of sixteen, I played in a band, and in my early twenties I had to drive an hour and a half to Montreal to get my guitars looked after.
One day when I was in the shop, I decided then and there that was what I wanted to do in life. In 1977, I lived in Calgary, Alberta, and had a little workspace off of my kitchen. Anyway, I decided to approach a well-known music store and offer them my services. The owner said I could set up in the basement, and I did. Business was brisk. In 1980, I started building guitars and have not stopped since.
Who/What are your biggest influences with instrument building?
I am self-taught. My biggest influence was my ear for tone and sound. Secondly, I always admired James D'Aquisto and his archtop guitars.
What is your favorite part of the process of instrument making?
Selecting the wood, feeling and listening to the guitar being crafted, and finally stringing it up and playing it.
How should potential new clients get prepared when buying a new instrument from you?
They should realize that these guitars all have their unique characteristics. They are lighter in weight and have a lot of sustain and overtones.
How would you describe your style of instrument building?
Well, I do them the old-fashioned way: no computer-assisted machines, necks and bodies all handcrafted. Everything apart from pickups, etc is made by me and me alone, with no subcontracting. I also do the finishing work in my paint room.
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made while learning your craft?
Not charging enough?
Why should musicians buy a luthier-made instrument?
I believe that they are closer to those made during the golden years of guitar-making. In the end, I think you get more value from a luthier-made instrument. Also, I have noticed that when one of my guitars comes up for resale [which is not too often], it does not stay listed for long, as it is bought up quite quickly. This tells me that my guitars are sought after.
Do you have a personal favorite style of instrument?
Not really. I like flat tops, hollow body electrics, solids, and arch-tops. The most interesting to build is an arch-top.
What do you feel when you have to hand the new guitar/bass over to its new owner? Do you ever want to keep them instead?
Hopefully, another happy, satisfied client (which is 99.9 % of the time). There is always the odd exception, and I usually just read them the riot act, and that ends the matter. My reputation is good because, in the forty-eight years that I have been doing this, I have never screwed anyone.
People trust me. Means a lot. I also told my wife that, when I am on my deathbed, to make sure you buy up as many of my guitars as possible, because they will be worth a small fortune (I hope).
What do you want your legacy to be?
I never thought much about a legacy. The only thing that I can say is that I will live on after my death through my guitars.
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How long has Brian Monty been building guitars?
Brian Monty started building guitars in 1980 and has been doing so for 48 years without stopping. He began his luthier journey in the basement of a Calgary music store before establishing his own reputation.
What makes Monty Guitars different from factory-made instruments?
Monty guitars are built the old-fashioned way with no computer-assisted machines. Every neck, body, and finish is handcrafted entirely by Brian Monty himself, with no subcontracting except for pickups, resulting in instruments with unique characteristics, lighter weight, and enhanced sustain and overtones.
What style of guitars does Brian Monty prefer building?
While Brian builds flat tops, hollow body electrics, solids, and arch-tops, he says arch-tops are the most interesting to construct. He doesn't have a single favorite style and enjoys the diversity of instrument building.
Why do Monty Guitars hold their value?
Monty Guitars are highly sought after and rarely stay listed for resale long. Brian attributes this to his guitars being closer to instruments made during the golden years of guitar-making, delivering more value than factory alternatives and maintaining strong demand among musicians.
