Chris Lounsbury, guitarmaker

Orbit electric guitars and custom acoustic guitars, handmade by Chris Lounsbury in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Since 2010 I have been making guitars at my home in Hamilton. Like many Canadian luthiers, I learned to make steel string acoustics from Sergei DeJonge in his very flexible course at his shop in Chelsea, QC. I will forever admire Sergei for his humble manner and wide-open mind.

For over a decade I focused entirely on crafting steel string acoustic guitars in close collaboration with my clients. Since early 2021 however, I have redirected my efforts to the first instrument I picked up, the solidbody electric. Taking inspiration from early Japanese guitars as well as from Harmony, Silvertone, Kay and even Mosrite, I endeavour to synthesize these ingredients into something of my own. My first electric design, the Orbit, provides me endless fun and excitement.

It has been returned to its owner, but I loved having this '48 SJ200 in for repair. My client is the (perhaps) third owner, and within the last few years had purchased it from his lifelong friend who himself had bought it secondhand in 1952. It followed this group of friends around for decades, including camping trips with no case! When it came to me all the back braces were loose,, and one was out of the guitar! The lower treble leg of the X-brace was also loose. Now that they're all repaired, the owner says it sounds a bit different. I should hope so! Everyone's happy, and this beautiful old thing lives on. Long may they run! Back in 2010 I was in Old Chelsea, QC with this lovely man, learning to make guitars. Sergei DeJonge is a gem; a lover of evidence over assumptions, a true craftsman, a natural teacher, iconoclast, and a source of much interesting conversation. While I was in his shop, he finished this beautiful blue nylon strung jazz guitar, and also an all-spruce steel string. Spruce top, back & sides, and neck shaft! Shame I didn't get a photo of that one. Anyway, if any of you guitar obsessed people want a life-changing experience, go build a guitar with Sergei! You really can do it. Just Google DeJonge lutherie. @sergeidejonge.guitars Long may you run! Since I've gotten into guitar service over building I don't really need these "demo" guitars around anymore.  I would rather see them in the hands of a player, now at a discounted price.  Local sale only so if you're interested and you're in southern Ontario or wherever you feel is close enough to Hamilton, message me and we'll arrange for you to try one out. A couple of recent visitors to my shop This old (60's?... 70's?... didn't look it up) Guild F-20 sounds intimate and gorgeous. Poor old thing needed the bridge replaced, as the original (which had previously been generously epoxied down!) was cracked almost in two. It's feeling much better now, thanks. This cute little Larrivee Parlor was in for some simple TLC. Unsecured pickup wiring causing buzzing, and a new strap button on the neck heel. What a beautifully crafted guitar! For obvious reasons I could not leave this guitar unattended on this particular sofa. Back in its owners hands now; bye-bye Navy J-45! A benefit to having gotten into repairs is the 'string' of interesting instruments that come through and go home in better shape than before. This Irish Bouzouki is now back in the owner's hands, who is taking it up again after having put it away for a long while. Nice instrument, made by Joe Foley of Dublin. Nice guitar, but I can see now why the bridge on this J45 didn't want to stay down. A bunch of blue paint in the glue joint!