Ivon Schmukler has been playing guitar since 1958 and building them since 1971. In 1971, repairing guitars for six years, he began studying guitarbuilding with Lucien Barnes IV, a student of David Rubio. After a year of study with Barnes, Ivon began building on his own.
Today he runs the Leeds Guitarmakers’ School, repairs and restores Martin and other fine guitars and builds guitars on a special order in his shop in Northampton Massachusetts. Artisan Fretted Instrument guitar designs are based the C. F. Martin instruments of the mid 1930s. Using the finest materials available today, Ivon has modified the original Martin design to achieve a more open sound long with very even frequency and tonal response.
Each instrument is completely hand crafted, each top individually graduated and tap tuned. Individual attention to each instrument, regardless of cost,is the hallmark of Artisan Fretted Instruments. Each instrument is adjusted and tuned for the richest and most efficient response. The materials I use are all properly seasoned and aged. Tops are dried for a minimum of five years in construction dimensions. Top bracing is made exclusively from similarly seasoned Adarondack spruce. Tops are available in Canadian Engleman, German, Adarondack and Sitka spruces.
A full range of tropical and temperate zone woods are available for sides and backs. Neck woods include Walnut, Maple and Mahogany.
All Artisan Fretted Instruments are guaranteed against all defects in workmanship and materials for the lifetime of the owner.
Ivon Schmukler
Director, Leeds Guitarmakers' School
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Ivon Schmukler has been playing guitar since 1958 and building them since 1971. In 1971, repairing guitars for six years, he began studying guitarbuilding with Lucien Barnes IV, a student of David Rubio. After a year of study with Barnes, Ivon began building on his own. 
Each instrument is completely hand crafted, each top individually graduated and tap tuned. Individual attention to each instrument, regardless of cost,is the hallmark of Artisan Fretted Instruments. Each instrument is adjusted and tuned for the richest and most efficient response. The materials I use are all properly seasoned and aged. Tops are dried for a minimum of five years in construction dimensions. Top bracing is made exclusively from similarly seasoned Adarondack spruce. Tops are available in Canadian Engleman, German, Adarondack and Sitka spruces.