Lichty Guitars

Overview

Lichty Guitars is a small custom luthiery operation producing handmade acoustic guitars and ukuleles. Based in Western North Carolina, it focuses on instruments built to individual specifications, including classic forms like dreadnoughts and parlors, as well as custom designs. The brand produces around 30 instruments annually and offers building workshops.¹²³

History

Lichty Guitars was founded by luthier Jay Lichty around 2009 in Tryon, North Carolina. Lichty, a lifetime musician, crafts custom acoustic guitars and ukuleles in his workshop, having built approximately 200 instruments to date. He offers one-on-one building workshops for guitars and ukuleles.²³⁷

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Instruments are handmade by Jay Lichty in his workshop in Tryon, North Carolina. Production is fully in-house, with approximately 30 guitars and ukuleles built annually to custom orders.¹²³

Notable Products

• Dreadnought Guitars - Classic dreadnought acoustic guitars built to custom specifications.
• Parlor Guitars - Compact parlor-style acoustic guitars in traditional forms.
• Tenor Ukuleles - Custom tenor ukuleles with player-specific designs.
• Baritone Ukuleles - Baritone ukuleles crafted in classic or custom shapes.

Reputation

Lichty Guitars is regarded by enthusiasts as a dedicated custom builder emphasizing passion and personalization in acoustic instruments. Professionals note the high starting prices reflecting handmade quality, with no widespread criticisms identified in available sources. The brand's workshop offerings add to its appeal among aspiring luthiers.³⁵⁷