*edited on September 23, 2025

I have been playing the guitar on and off for over 20 years now and really wanted to get back into it when I moved up to Thunder Bay in 2020. After the move, I bought some gear and was starting to get curious about the construction of an acoustic guitar. I checked online for some courses and managed to find a place in Winnipeg – Hamm-Tone Guitars and Mandolins.

The idea was to just build some guitars as a hobby but I ended up pulling the trigger to make it a business even before I took the course. I figured that the worse that can happen is just to not get any business at all.

I already had a business name in mind: I liked how Monkey INC. sounded: I actually got that from WWF back in the 90s as there was a faction called Money Incorporated or Money INC but 1). INC is an American terminology and 2) “incorporated” is much more than what I expect my company to be or become – sounds like it is overkill.

I ended up going with Monkey Guitars although there are two other places called Monkey Guitars – not in Canada though. Hopefully it is not a big deal to the other companies.

Later in 2022, I went back to Hamm-Tone for a couple of repair courses as well and am currently targeting to take Jeremy’s arch top guitar course. I feel that there may be some interest in arch top guitars and for me, it would be a step closer to building a violin which is a future goal.

Having a few years in now, the best and finest is still the ultimate goal. The workmanship is steadily getting better and new guitar ideas are always being researched and tried.

Monkey Guitars offers custom hand made guitars to a customer’s specifications and options.

I offer Ramirez classical, Martin style Orchestra Model, Grand Concert and Parlour sized guitars.

I do not offer Dreadnought or Jumbo guitars even though I have some forms for them. I feel that Dreadnought size is way too common and that a smaller sized guitar would be more comfortable to play and easier to transport – especially for travelling musicians.

The start of building snare drums was because of Dave Ketchum of Coney Hatch. I didn’t assume his comment about making snare drums was as a joke and I am glad he said what he did. Building snare drums changes things up from building guitars all the time. I believe that there could be interest in my stave style snare drums and have even built a custom Purple Heart snare drum for Ian Mackay of TEKNOSIS.

I have some “co-workers” that I work with. We do it for common interest and learning. They do prefer to be anonymous – One does the CNC work such as logo routing for me and he works on the electric guitar designs and builds. One is a millwright and is also trying some design work. And the last person, I call my ” R & D guy”, he finds information and build ideas. He also helps with builds when he has some time.

I have gotten some work with ochestral stringed instruments – mostly violins but I have worked on a bass and a cello as well. I offer “basic” setups and even fit bridges and sound posts for stringed instruments. I also offer fingerboard dressing if needed.

Currently, I do service guitars, and basses – acoustic or electric. From setups to fret leveling or fret replacements, electrical work, hardware and parts upgrade/replacement and installation. I do work on a lot of guitars that require fret levelling and crack repairs on acoustic guitars.

I have also worked on a banjo and dulcimer. If it is a wooden stringed instrument, I can definitely take a look at it. There is no charge for assessments or “bench fees”.

Repairs on instruments would be a case by case basis. *Please note that I do not refinish instruments or do “touch up” work.

Monkey Guitars has managed to get a few dealer accounts for orchestral stringed instruments, guitar (related items) and accessories. Please contact me if you have anything you would like to order.

*Please check the “Services” page to see what I offer for services and prices. You can inquire about any other work you do not see listed.

Monkey Guitars is also a member of the Guild of American Luthiers: there are some interesting articles and I get ideas from their quarterly issues as well as information and videos I find on the internet.

Builds and repair work are done in the Monkey Guitars workshop

Setups and fine tuning work are done in a separate room.

work station area version 3.77h

The acoustic tonewoods have been moved into the setup room

instrument room version 2.567