Jeffrey Elliott is an American classical guitar maker based in Portland, Oregon, with a career spanning almost six decades. Trained in the workshop of Richard Schneider, he has built guitars for Julian Bream, Ralph Towner, Leo Kottke and Earl Klugh, and demand for his instruments is such that his long wait-list has been closed for many years.
Jeffrey Elliott at a Glance
- Born: Chicago; raised in Detroit, Michigan
- Workshop: Portland, Oregon, USA (since 1973)
- Training: six-year apprenticeship with Richard Schneider, 1966–1972
- Clients: Julian Bream, Ralph Towner, Marcelo Kayath, Leo Kottke, Jonathan Leathwood, Ekachai Jearakul, Earl Klugh, Burl Ives
- Restorations: Torres, González, Ramírez, Santos Hernández, Hauser I and II
- Also: Guild of American Luthiers member since 1975; organizer of Portland's Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibition
- Partner: fellow luthier Cynthia H. "Cyndy" Burton
- Featured in: Orfeo Magazine No. 10 (2017)
From Detroit to Richard Schneider's Workshop
Jeffrey Elliott was born in Chicago and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and began playing classical guitar at the age of 16. He then turned to performing folk music while majoring in Fine Arts at Michigan State University. He discovered his passion for guitar making in 1964, when he visited the workshop of Richard Schneider, and just two years later he started a six-year apprenticeship there, finishing in 1972. That same year he began teaching guitar making himself.
Portland, Oregon, and the Guild of American Luthiers
In 1973 he moved to Portland, where he lives with fellow luthier Cyndy Burton. Jeff wrote and co-produced The Handcrafted Classic Guitar (1975), and has been a member of the Guild of American Luthiers since 1975 – as an author for American Lutherie magazine (including published plans of his own guitar), an active lecturer and an exhibitor. He is also the organizer of Portland's annual Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibition, and one of his guitars was shown at the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery in 1978–79.
Guitars for Julian Bream and Other Top Guitarists
Jeffrey Elliott has built guitars for some of the top guitarists, including Julian Bream, Ralph Towner, Marcelo Kayath, Leo Kottke, Jonathan Leathwood, Ekachai Jearakul, Frank Wallace, Michael Butten, Bryan Johanson, David Cullen, Paul Chasman, Dick Weissman, Earl Klugh and Burl Ives. Jeff's commission for Bream took several attempts: Bream passed on one early-1980s guitar with a favorable and encouraging critique, and bought Jeff's fourth effort a few years later. Jeff has also restored guitars made by Antonio de Torres, Francisco González, Manuel Ramírez, Santos Hernández, and Hermann Hauser I and Hermann Hauser II.
The Elliott Sound and Style
As we've mentioned many times, Jeff's guitars have distinguishing aesthetic characteristics in the headstock shape, the extremities of his custom Rodgers tuners and even the label artwork, which to our eyes resemble the maple leaf, symbolic of their birthplace in the Pacific Northwest. Many of his rosettes use natural woods such as spalted or flamed maple in place of a traditional mosaic, with small brass inlays – Jeff's "tip-of-the-hat" to the images of stars being born from giant galactic nebulae. The sound is lush and full, with great clarity in all voices: it has the grandeur of Hermann Hauser I and the beauty of Antonio de Torres, yet carries the distinct sound of its builder at the same time.
Cynthia H. "Cyndy" Burton
Jeff's partner, Cynthia H. "Cyndy" Burton, is a fine guitar maker in her own right. After several years of study – including the famous José Romanillos masterclasses in the 1980s – she built guitars under her own label in Portland for nearly 30 years. Her guitars are as meticulously built as Jeff's and quite similar in design, based on the Torres/Hauser tradition, sometimes with a beautiful chip-carved rosette in place of a traditional mosaic.
Cyndy no longer builds guitars of her own; today she works mainly on the French polishing of Jeff's guitars. Her instruments almost never appear on the market, so we are always delighted when one passes through our doors.
Jeffrey Elliott Guitars at GSI
Jeffrey Elliott's wait-list has been closed for many years due to the overwhelming worldwide demand for his instruments, so we are always pleased when we have the rare opportunity to offer one of his guitars here at GSI. Over the years, guitars from 1975 to 2012 have passed through our doors, including a 1994 guitar owned by Earl Klugh. As with all Elliott guitars that come through GSI, Jeff extends his personal warranty to the new owner. You'll find guitars currently in stock by clicking the "Guitars In Stock" button in the header of this page as well as earlier examples in our Museum by clicking the "Guitars In Museum" button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Jeffrey Elliott build his guitars?
In Portland, Oregon, where he has lived and worked since 1973.
Who did Jeffrey Elliott train with?
Richard Schneider, in a six-year apprenticeship from 1966 to 1972.
Who has played Jeffrey Elliott guitars?
Julian Bream, Ralph Towner, Marcelo Kayath, Leo Kottke, Jonathan Leathwood, Ekachai Jearakul and Earl Klugh, among many others.
Can I order a new Jeffrey Elliott guitar?
His wait-list has been closed for many years, so pre-owned guitars, like those we offer at GSI, are the main way to find one.
Who is Cyndy Burton?
Jeff's partner and a classical guitar maker in her own right, who built guitars under her own label for nearly 30 years; today she mainly French polishes Jeff's guitars.
