About the luthier:
 Bruce
Sexauer was born on March 17, 1947 in Oakland, California. Playing the
guitar since he was 17, Sexauer began building in 1967 in order to have
a better instrument than he could otherwise afford. In his first few
years
experience, Sexauer moved from solid-bodies, through dulcimers, to
flat-top
guitars, always working with his own designs. In the next decade
Sexauer’s
work produced psalteries, mandolins, a tiple’, a Guitarone, and 2 full
size harps in addition to a steady stream of individually built
flat-top
guitars. While being in fact a highly social person, Sexauer prefers to
work in a one man shop, and believes the instruments are better for it.
In the last decade,
while still
creating a number of exceptional flat-tops, Sexauer has discovered a
passion
for arch-top guitars. After carving several instruments, Sexauer
noticed
that many customers are asking for the clarity of the carved guitar,
but
being accustomed to flat-tops, require more sensitivity and volume than
seems to be available in carved guitars. Influenced by Selmer/Macaferri
type guitars (such as those made by Michael Dunn, a shop cohort in the
60’s), and certain Larson Brothers models from the ‘30’s, Sexauer
created
the “Coo’stic Dominator” to fill this niche.
An induced-arch guitar, the C’Dom produces the clear tone arch-top
players
require, but is more responsive to a delicate touch and has more
"overhead".
At just over half the price of a fully carved guitar!
Many in the guitar world currently think of Sexauer Guitars as the
ultimate in Vintage Martin reproduction due Bruce Sexauer being the
primary maker of Schoenberg Guitars for past ten plus years, but
Sexauer has at the same time continued to explore the cutting edge of
concept and design with his JB series instruments, which are not only
multi-scale, but actually fully asymmetrical. This not only enhances
the performance potential of longer bass/shorter treble strings, but
also lends itself to much more attractive ergonomics from the players
point of view.
A veteran of many years
of Art and
Craft festivals, as well as an active member of the San Francisco Bay
Area’s
NCAL (Northern California Association of Luthiers), Sexauer was chosen
“Luthier of the Month” by Elderly Instruments in May, 1996.” For
further
reading, check out the article from the October 1997 issue of "The
Crafts Report". Also check out the page on current
projects.
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