Tad’s guitars are crafted with a musician’s discerning ear in mind—designed for those who understand that the critical differences in tone, playability, and longevity come down to exceptional craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and the careful selection of materials.
Tad believes that lutherie is not about secret techniques, but rather about dedication, persistence, and practice. This unwavering dedication to craft is evident in every aspect of his guitars, from their remarkable acoustic performance to their aesthetic beauty. Each guitar is a testament to his belief that the best designs honor the past while looking forward to the future.
For Tad, the archtop guitar is not an instrument bound by rigid tradition, but rather one that is still evolving. When compared to the centuries-long development of orchestral instruments like the violin—meticulously refined over time—the archtop guitar, which has only been around for about 100 years, is still in its early stages of maturity in the larger world of instrument-making.
While many modern archtop builders focus on recreating the legendary designs of the 20th century, Tad is dedicated to evolving the instrument forward. Drawing inspiration from the time-honored craftsmanship of orchestral string instruments, he applies the same precision and innovation that have shaped the violin and cello over centuries. These instruments are built for acoustic efficiency at their core—featuring lightweight, finely carved bridges, tailpieces, and carefully contoured top and back plates, all crafted to maximize tonal response. By embracing this approach, refined through generations of trial and error, Tad advances the sound and playability of his archtop guitars.
Advancing the Evolution of the Archtop Guitar
Tad thoughtfully incorporates these principles into his archtop guitars, creating instruments that resonate with exceptional clarity, warmth, and depth—pushing the boundaries of what an archtop can achieve in terms of acoustic efficiency and playability. Every feature of a Brown guitar is crafted with a level of care that is rarely found in today’s guitar market, with a deep understanding of what makes an instrument truly great.
Lightweight Construction with Precision Tuning:
Like the finest violins and cellos, Tad’s archtops are designed with acoustic efficiency at their core. Every element, from the feather-light bridge to the finely tuned top and back plates, is engineered to resonate with maximum tone, allowing the instrument to respond with remarkable sensitivity and depth.
Premium Tonewoods:
Red spruce, flame maple, and rosewoods are carefully selected for their tonal richness and visual beauty. The result is a guitar that not only sounds vibrant and responsive but also looks stunningly crafted, making each instrument a work of art.
All-Wood Bindings and Solid Linings:
Unlike many factory-made guitars that use plastic bindings, Tad’s guitars feature durable all-wood bindings that age gracefully and enhance tone. Additionally, by using the centuries-old technique of solid linings—rather than the factory-standard kerfed linings—Tad’s instruments have greater structural integrity and improved acoustic response, ensuring that the top, back, and sides are bound together as one cohesive, resonant body.
Carbon Fiber Neck Reinforcement:
One of the most common issues with guitars is neck warping and head-stock breakage. This is prevented by reinforcing the neck with carbon fiber rods that run the entire length of the neck and extend into the headstock. This added stability ensures that the neck remains resistant to warping and breaking, and maintains its optimum playability for years to come.
Stainless Steel Frets:
Fretwork is one of Tad’s areas of expertise. His guitars feature stainless steel frets with smoothly rounded edges, polished to a mirror finish. Unlike standard nickel-silver frets, which wear down quickly, stainless steel frets retain their shine and durability—resisting wear and tear even after years of intensive playing.
Harmonically Tuned String After-lengths:
Tad’s guitars are crafted with harmonically tuned string after-lengths—the section of string between the bridge and the tailpiece. Rather than muting the after-lengths, as many players do to avoid wolf tones caused by out of sync after-lengths, Tad tunes the after-lengths to 1/6th of the scale length, akin to the ideal proportions of orchestral string instruments. This precise tuning enhances harmonic overtones, adding an expressive richness that resonates beautifully with every note.
Titanium Tail Gut:
The rosewood tailpiece is suspended on a titanium cello tail gut wire, which encourages harmonic overtones by allowing the tailpiece to vibrate freely. Unlike nylon or other materials, titanium is not only stronger than steel, but also celebrated for its exceptional musical properties, offering the highest degree of resonance and tonal clarity.
Bridge Design:
Tad’s bridges are inspired by the lightweight, acoustically efficient designs of orchestral stringed instruments. Unlike the large, heavy, metal-laden bridges typically found on many archtops, his bridges are lightweight with a minimal footprint, resulting in a highly responsive instrument with a broad dynamic range and an exceptional acoustic tone. The two-piece bridge design—a slotted rosewood base and a rosewood saddle—allows for action height adjustments in the same way as a classical guitar. This approach avoids the need for metal adjustment wheels and posts, which can negatively impact tone and stability.
Arm and Rib Contours:
Conventional archtop guitars often feature sharp, uncomfortable edges where the top and back re-curves meet the sides. Tad, however, incorporates smooth edges with arm and rib bevel contours, adding ergonomic comfort. These bevels are carved directly into the top and back plates as one piece, rather than a cut-out, maintaining the resonance of the wood, while offering a more comfortable playing experience, without sacrificing acoustic integrity.
Honoring Tradition, Shaping the Future
Tad’s attention to detail, from material selection to craftsmanship, ensures that every instrument he creates is the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation. In an industry that often prioritizes reputation over results, Tad’s instruments distinguish themselves through meticulous craftsmanship, a spirit of innovation, and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional performance.
Tad’s work is grounded in his core belief: there are no shortcuts in lutherie—only a lifelong commitment to honing one’s craft, respect for the instrument, and maintaining an eagerness to keep learning and improving. His guitars are more than just instruments—they are the embodiment of passion, years of experience, and an unrelenting drive for excellence—while paying tribute to the luthiers who paved the way.
In a world that often values speed and shortcuts, his instruments serve as a reminder that true mastery is found in the quiet pursuit of perfection, one carefully carved top, one meticulously shaped neck at a time. With every instrument, Tad honors not only the luthiers who came before him, but also the musicians who will carry their sound forward by creating new stories. Each guitar serves as a bridge between past and future—ready to inspire the next generation of musicians and instrument makers alike.
