Bruce Sexauer, the Bio:
photo by Thom Hooke
Born on March 17, 1947 in Oakland,
California, and playing the guitar since he was 17, Bruce Sexauer began
his lutherie career 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, and on to flat-top acoustic
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 as a one man shop, and believes the instruments
are better for it.
In the following decade, while still creating a number of exceptional
flat-tops, Sexauer 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.
A fourth decade found many in the guitar world thinking of Sexauer
Guitars as the ultimate in Vintage Martin reproduction due to Bruce
Sexauer being the primary maker of Eric Schoenberg Guitars starting in
1999, 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 is also working on a writing project
which should soon culminate in a book giving a comprehensive
overview of the current Golden Era of American Lutherie as well as
Sexauer’s unique and practical approach to the art of the craft.
Bruce Sexauer is currently continuing his cutting edge tradition in his
purpose
built workshop behind his home in Petaluma, California, USA.
photo by Roger Minkow
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