I started making guitars in 2000, apprenticing under Kenny Hill in Felton CA, just outside of Santa Cruz. There I built over 100 classical guitars from start to finish, borrowing from traditional Spanish guitar making techniques. In 2004 I teamed up with David Forsyth Schooler to form Howell and Forsyth Guitars, building  both classical and steel string guitars as well as several experimental models. Unlike most steel string guitar makers who follow the tradition of Martin in constructing the neck and body separately, I implement the Spanish method, assembling the sides into slots in the neck and then continuing to build the instrument as an integrated whole. While this is standard practice for classical guitar makers, it is quite unorthodox when applied to steel string guitar construction. The result, however, is an instrument with astonishing volume, sustain and an incredibly rich overtone structure. An article regarding the acoustic benefits of this construction technique has been posted in my blog.