Whenever we visit a guitar workshop, our eyes are drawn to not only the instruments, but all those tools. Large or small, modern or archaic…they all tell a story.

So, when contributor Jamie Etherington started asking famed luthiers, repair people, and gear company founders about the one tool that meant the most to them, our interest was piqued. What started out as a Fretboard Journal magazine feature quickly snowballed into a full-blown book nearly two years in the making.

Etherington’s The Luthier’s Toolbox compiles the favorite tools owned by some of today's most famous, influential and up-and-coming guitar builders. Included are dozens of former Fretboard Journal subjects.

Among the nearly 100 contributors included: Andy Powers, Linda Manzer, Joe Yanuziello, Michael Bashkin, Chris Benson, Michael Greenfield, Colleen Fazio, Jason Lollar, Dick Boak, Doug Kauer, Kevin Ryan, Joshia De Jonge, and John Monteleone.

Best of all, you don’t need to be a guitarmaker or woodworker to appreciate these love letters to the tools of the trade. We tried to make it enjoyable for anyone who appreciates the craft of guitars (or just a sawdust-filled workbench). It's the perfect gift for anyone who just can't get enough of the art of guitarmaking. 

This is the Fretboard Journal’s first hardcover book project. 160 pages, 6”x9” in size.  There are full-color photographs throughout and a cloth hardcover.

Foreward by Dan Erlewine. Dedicated to Frank Ford.

Printed in the USA. Limited to 2,000 copies. Pre-order today to reserve your copy.

All pre-orders will mail worldwide the week of February 3, 2025.