What is your educational background?
Lutherie is my second profession. I started it as a hobby, read up on the internet and at the city library, and taught myself to build acoustic guitars. The same happened with microphone building and electronics. Later I got an advanced degree at the Ikaalinen School of Crafts and Design.
How do you blend tradition and innovation?
The shapes of both my guitars and mics are strongly based on tradition. I choose the best materials and use traditional glues and finishes. Aesthetically, I use precious woods for my work. Usually it means the piece is not flashy, but of really high quality and extremely beautiful for the beholder.
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Do you master any specific techniques?
There are always aspects I try to refine to make my guitars more playable and more comfortable for the modern player. I think this comes out in the sound. I work the wood with various hand tools: I’m proud to say my work is truly handcrafted.
What are your sources of inspiration?
For the manual side of my craft, both my parents have shown me the way: Mum knits, Dad has worked a lot with wood and metal. Aesthetic inspirations come from music itself, nature in Finland, the beauty of the materials I work with and the worldwide traditions of instrument making and woodcraft.