Luthiers for A Cause 2022
Four of the world’s most distinguished guitar builders have come together to showcase their unique building approaches and to continue the LFAC legacy to make a lasting difference in the lives of medically fragile children helped by The Ukulele Kids Club.
Each luthier has crafted a different size guitar out of master grade Maple and Sitka Spruce, to create a family of one-of-a-kind guitars. These guitars are now available for purchase from our friends and partners at Dream Guitars, as a collection or individually. All proceeds from the sale will go to the UKC.
Drum Roll Please …
We are thrilled to share with you the 2022 Luthiers for a Cause Guitars
Dream Guitars has listed each guitar for sale and provided video previews with Al Petteway and Logan Wells showcasing the unique sounds and features of each instrument. This project would not be possible without their enthusiastic and generous support.
Our friends at Dream Guitars are helping to make dreams come true for the kids and families whose lives are touched by the Ukulele Kids Club. When you purchase one of these fine instruments, you, too, are helping the kids!
The Luthiers
Steve Grimes
Building fine instruments since 1974 Steve is recognized as a major influence in the world of custom guitars and ukuleles. Steve has crafted over 1,000 instruments that are played by greats like Paul Simon, Jackson Brown, Willie Nelson, George Benson, Leo Kottke, Jake Shimabukuro and more. His own craftsmanship as a musician (GrimesTunes) contributes to his resounding success as a builder.
Steve is both a founding member of Luthier’s for a Cause and he has generously contributed the stunning Maple and Sitka Spruce for the 2022 project.
Steve is building a Parlor Guitar
Ben Wilborn
Ben builds fine acoustic instruments in Reno, Nevada, specializing in steel- string acoustic guitars, and the occasional archtop, mandolin or ukulele. A lifelong musician, he graduated from The Berklee College of Music, where he studied ear-training, composition and performance. Ben’s impeccable instruments reflect decades of study of musical tone and texture combined with a complete dedication to the art of building. Every Wilborn Guitar is a show-stopper!
Ben is building a Baritone Guitar
Peter Robson
Very few luthiers could say that their very first instrument off the workbench was a dream. Peter is the exception. And every guitar since number one has just gotten better and better. He builds guitars out of his shop near Greenville, SC.
His mentors include Wayne Henderson and the late Gerald Anderson, both renowned musicians and builders in the Bluegrass world. Beyond those roots, Peter’s passion as a musician playing many styles and his precision craftsmanship contribute to Robson Guitars being top of the line.
Peter is building an OM Guitar
Jay Lichty
Jay is a proud board member of the Ukulele Kid’s Club, a founding member of LFAC and he is the luthier director of this LFAC 2022 project. He builds custom guitars and ukuleles in his Tryon, NC shop that have shipped to customers from Australia to California, from Kazakhstan to Nashville. Professional musicians who play Jay’s instruments include Kimo Hussey, Bonnie Raitt, Randall Bramblett, Geoff Achison and more.
Jay’s skill as a multi-instrumentalist (playing most anything with strings from uke, banjo, mandolin to guitar and fiddle) informs his built process. He puts it this way - “The bottom line is - I build instruments that I’d like to play.”
Jay is building a Small Jumbo Guitar
Behind every Great cause are great people!
The dedication and contribution of the 2022 luthiers is matched by the enthusiastic support and partnership with the folks at Dream Guitars. Their mission is “to gather together the finest quality guitars in the world, and offer them in an honorable fashion — with real expertise and guidance.” They exceed this mission in every way.
Dream Guitars has enthusiastically partnered up with LFAC 2022 to help us spread the word, share the story and ultimately, to sell these instruments. Stay tuned for more news on this front as the project progress.
100% of the proceeds from the 2022 Luthier’s for a Cause project will go the Ukulele Kids Club.
The UKC is an international charity that has helped thousands of children around the world to overcome the stress, anxiety and health challenges of serious physical and mental health conditions.
