Acoustic Guitars Built by Hand in the Flathead Valley.
Jeremy Pappenfus is a guitar maker and luthier who builds custom acoustic guitars in Columbia Falls, Montana, in the Flathead Valley. He studied under master luthier Sergei de Jonge and brings decades of woodworking experience and a builder's ear to every instrument. Acoustic guitar repair is offered from the same bench.
Custom builds start at $4,000
From the Workshop
A small set of recent builds from the bench. Each one tells you what to expect from a Pappenfüs commission.
The Build Starts with a Conversation
Every Pappenfüs guitar begins with a conversation about what you want the instrument to do. Jeremy walks you through wood selection, model options, and design features, then he builds it, sending progress updates along the way.
You are not ordering a guitar. You are becoming part of how it gets made.
The Work Speaks
Jeremy studied under Sergei de Jonge for five weeks in Chelsea, Quebec, in pursuit of the honest guitar. Top making, bracing, binding, and the principles that separate good guitars from great ones.
Almost two decades of building have taught Jeremy that each instrument is more than a tool. It is a collaboration of craft, music, and art.
A Pappenfüs guitar recently sold at auction for $10,000. Other Pappenfüs guitars have been showcased at the La Conner Guitar Festival and the Utah Guitar Exhibition.
Jeremy invites you to experience his guitars at the following shops and festivals:
- Utah Guitar Festival . June 19-20, 2026
- Daymaker Music Shop . Bainbridge Island, WA . daymakermusic.com
Ready to Start?
Whether you are commissioning a custom build, looking for guitar repair, or inquiring about an available instrument, the first step is the same: a conversation. [See Google reviews](/testimonials/).