A New Guitar by Danish Luthier Henrik Ballowitz

We’re excited to share a few sneak peek photos of an instrument that will soon be arriving at GSI—our first guitar from Danish luthier Henrik Sandberg Ballowitz, third prize winner of the prestigous VIII Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Building Competition in the classical guitar category.

Henrik’s path to guitar making is a fascinating one, rooted in both tradition and personal heritage. He grew up in the scenic Skanderborg area of Jutland, Denmark, in a musical and creative home. His father, a skilled cabinetmaker, introduced him early to the world of woodworking, where Henrik began experimenting in the workshop and even built his first electric guitar at the age of 18. That project, though imperfect, marked the beginning of his lifelong dedication to the craft.

Before fully devoting himself to guitars, Henrik trained as a carpenter specializing in organ building—a profession he pursued for six years while continuing to build guitars in his free time. Ultimately, his passion for the guitar won out, leading him to study in Spain, the heartland of the instrument’s tradition. In La Herradura, he took a building course with luthier Stephen Hill, further deepening his connection to the centuries-old Spanish guitar-making legacy.

Today, Henrik builds full-time in Copenhagen at his workshop collective ’61 Objekter’, blending Spanish tradition with his Nordic background and aesthetics. 

Below, you'll find a few sneak peek photos of our new cedar-top guitar from Henrik. Stay tuned for more details when this guitar arrives at GSI!