Steven Toon
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Luthier: Steven Toon
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Steve Toon – Guitar Maker
With a passion for detailed wooden model aircraft and playing the guitar, Steve Toon seemed destined for a career that combined these interests. Originally trained as a carpenter, he refined his skills at the London College of Furniture, specializing in the construction of early plucked instruments.
In the late 1970s, after completing his studies, he briefly worked as a live sound technician before moving into the furniture industry, where he advanced to a production consultant. Despite his professional path, Steve’s passion for building classical guitars flourished as a personal hobby.
This hobby eventually developed into a full-time profession in the early 2000s, initially focusing on steel-string and jazz guitars, complemented by meticulously handcrafted classical guitars inspired by a Hauser repair project.
Today, Steve is known for his nearly exclusive focus on classical guitars, in which he blends traditional craftsmanship with innovative design. His work includes traditional spruce-top classical guitars influenced by Hauser II, as well as cedar-top instruments inspired by Friedrich.
Recently, Steve has turned to building double-top guitars—a concept developed by Matthias Dammann and Gernot Wagner. Using Nomex, he enhances both volume and sustain while preserving the warm tonal character of traditional guitars.
His creations stand as a testament to his lifelong dedication to merging woodworking expertise with his love for music, characterized by modern, understated elegance.
