K Line Guitars

Overview

K-Line Guitars is a boutique electric guitar manufacturer specializing in vintage-inspired solid body designs that combine classic styling with modern components. The company is known for hand-built instruments featuring hand-selected woods, boutique hand-wound pickups, top-notch hardware, and nitrocellulose finishes. K-Line guitars are designed to appeal to both vintage guitar enthusiasts and contemporary players seeking instruments with aesthetic accuracy and playability.

History

K-Line Guitars was founded in 1995 by Chris Kroenlein, with the brand officially launched in 2002 out of a basement in Crestwood, Missouri, initially using his father's shop for paintwork. The company gained recognition through online communities like thegearpage.net and achieved international exposure at the Winter NAMM Show. Each guitar is hand-built by Chris Kroenlein in his workshop in suburban St. Louis, reflecting the company's commitment to individual craftsmanship.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

All K-Line guitars are hand-built by Chris Kroenlein in his workshop in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. The company uses hand-selected woods, boutique hardware, and proprietary hand-wound pickups. Finishes are applied using nitrocellulose, with options for non-aged, lightly distressed, or moderately distressed relic finishes.

Notable Products

• Vintage-Inspired Solid Body Electric Guitars - Hand-built guitars combining classic styling with modern hardware and boutique pickups
• K-Line Hand-Wound Pickups - Custom-wound pickups featured in K-Line guitars and available for other instruments
• Relic Guitars - Guitars with distressed finishes ranging from lightly aged to heavily worn stage-worn appearance

Reputation

K-Line Guitars is recognized within the boutique guitar community for meticulous hand-craftsmanship and attention to vintage aesthetic detail. The brand appeals to players seeking instruments that balance classic design with modern playability and hardware. Notable artists including John Scofield have played K-Line instruments, lending credibility within professional circles. The company's small-scale, hand-built approach positions it as a premium boutique manufacturer rather than a mass-market producer.