Rafal Turkowiak

Rafal Turkowiak (born 1966 in Golanice, Poland) is an innovative luthier whose work bridges traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge acoustic engineering. With roots in woodworking through his father and grandfather, he built his first guitar as a teenager and soon gained national attention as both musician and maker. Over nearly four decades, Turkowiak has developed groundbreaking inventions, including the patented WAVE resonator, acoustic neck tubes, and his signature drilled-hole bridge. These innovations give his guitars exceptional projection, responsiveness, and a uniquely modern voice, placing him among the most forward-thinking guitar makers of today.

Stay Up to Date With Our Latest Arrivals

Be the first to know about new arrivals and exclusive discounts and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

You may also be interested Rafal Turkowiak

Rafal Turkowiak – Guitar Maker

Rafal Turkowiak was born on January 9, 1966, in Golanice near Leszno, Poland. His father, a carpenter, and his grandfather, a wheelwright, strongly influenced his early interest in woodworking and craftsmanship.

At the age of 15, he completed music elementary school after finishing a three-year classical guitar course in less than six months. Two years later, inspired by dismantling an old guitar, he built his first classical instrument featuring a soundhole and a unique suspended-bracing top construction, which was highly innovative at the time.

His growing passion for the guitar led to early recognition. In 1983, with his self-built guitar, he qualified among 5000 participants for the semi-finals of the National Young Talent Show in Poznań, Poland. The jury, including composer and conductor Aleksander Maliszewski and popular singer Urszula Sipinska, referred to him as the “Polish Paul McCartney.”

Nearly forty years of experience and continuous experimentation have resulted in groundbreaking innovations. Among them is the WAVE-type resonator used in all his instruments. He also invented the world’s first guitar in which the sound emanates not only from the body but also from the neck. His most significant achievement is the globally patented system (European Patent Office EP 3340231 (B1)) featuring acoustic tubes inside the guitar neck.

Additionally, he created the world’s first bridge with drilled holes and back and sides produced using high-tech pressing methods. These innovations place Rafal Turkowiak among the most advanced and exceptional guitar makers working today.