STANSELL, LES GUITARS

Luthier Les Stansell has been building classical and flamenco guitars in his Pistol River shop since the late 1970s. After completing a year-long course on instrument building, studying under the direction of luthier Anthony Huvard, Stansell began building guitars in 1979. In 1982, Stansell and his wife Mary, established the Pistol River Concert Association where he met many famous artists and formed friendships. For most of the 1980s and 1990s, Stansell worked as a carpenter and built custom furniture while he built guitars on the side. By the late 1990s, Stansell became very interested in flamenco design and began building guitars full-time. Stansell builds approximately five flamenco and classical guitars per year and they start at $5,400. For more information, visit Stansell's website.