Dogwood Guitars

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I build guitars, not because the world needs more guitars but because the world needs guitars with better tone. My guitars are made one at a time using carefully selected tops that have been tested for sonic superiority using a cutting-edge computer-assisted process. These tops are matched with beautiful select tonewoods to make extraordinary guitars that are both beautiful and responsive. You’ll hear the clarity and balance that results from my computer-assisted voicing process. Custom rosettes and shell inlay are available to make your Dogwood Guitar a one-of-a-kind instrument.

gregAll my guitars feature specially graded tops, carefully selected side and back woods, solid wood bindings, custom Dogwood peghead and bridges, hot hide glue construction (the traditional luthier’s glue known for excellent tonal transfer properties and strength), and bone nuts and saddles. I use nitrocellulose lacquer for a high gloss traditional finish that won’t dampen tone. Each guitar is hand voiced and tuned using a combination of ear and software, making the process both art and science.

I have over 30 years worth of high end woodworking experience and I’ve played guitar both on stage and in the studio since high school. I have a passion for excellence and while I love a beautiful guitar my first priority is tone. After all, anyone with the right tools and some skill can make a pretty guitar, but if the tone is average its just another guitar. I studied under Bryan Galloup with a special focus on learning what makes a great guitar (or an average one) sound the way it does. My quest is to make your Dogwood guitar the standout in your collection, both in appearance as well as in responsiveness, clarity, balance, and depth.

Greg Maxwell

Ordering your Dogwood Guitar

Please Note: Due to my heavy repair and restoration schedule, I am no longer building custom acoustic guitars. This is an archive page. Thank you for choosing to order one of my handmade acoustic guitars. From the day we begin to design your dream … [Read More...]

Warranty Information

Dogwood acoustic guitars have a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty applies to the original owner and will be honored for as long as I am actively building and repairing guitars. This warranty does not cover … [Read More...]

Bending Machine

Building a Monarch: The Box

Bending the sides begins the process of making a guitar body. A bending form is required for each type and size of body, and the appropriate form is installed in the bending machine. This jig uses a heating blanket and spring loaded cauls to gently … [Read More...]

Fine Handmade Guitars

  Hi, and welcome to Dogwood Guitars of Kansas City, MO. My goal is to provide you with the best sounding and playing guitar possible. Whether this means setting up your current guitars to play their best, or working with you to build your … [Read More...]

Customer Testimonial:

"In thirty years of playing and actively gigging in and around Ohio, I’ve had my fair share of guitar maintenance issues. Greg is by far the most customer-service oriented luthier I’ve dealt with.  Not to mention the top notch quality of his work.  … [Read More...]

1968 Fender Jazz Bass Neck Work

A customer brought me a very cool 1968 Fender Jazz Bass neck. The neck is fretless and- as the Beatles would say, "very strange"- it had no nut slot. There was also a piece of binding missing at the heel. The customer was interested in having the … [Read More...]

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Technical Articles

Humidity, Temperature, and Your Guitar

Maintaining your wooden instruments at an appropriate level of humidity year round is vital to their health and well-being. It is surprising how many owners of expensive instruments are unaware of this. I suppose that the primary reason is a lack … [Read More...]

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Viewpoint Articles

Why Buy a Handmade Guitar?

There are a lot of choices out there for the prospective buyer of a fine guitar. It's no secret; a handmade instrument can cost a lot. For that matter, any of the better guitars purchased from a quality manufacturer is going to command what most … [Read More...]

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