Tobias Berg is a Swedish-born classical guitar maker, born in 1972, who builds in Kirchhain-Anzefahr, Germany. Trained in Sweden, Canada, England and the USA (with time alongside Robert Ruck and Jeffrey Elliott) and a German master craftsman since 2004, he builds light, slightly compact guitars with double sides, inspired by Daniel Friederich and Robert Bouchet. GSI has worked with him since 2005 and is his exclusive US dealer.
At a Glance
- Born: Helsingborg, Sweden, 1972
- Workshop: Kirchhain-Anzefahr, Germany
- First guitar: 1995, in Sweden
- Training: courses in Canada, England and the USA; Robert Ruck, Jeffrey Elliott
- Lakewood Guitars: six years, from 1998
- Master title: Mittenwald, 2004 (own workshop since 2004)
- Construction: double sides since 2011; reinforced neck
- Influences: Daniel Friederich, Robert Bouchet
- Milestones: guitar #100 (2014); #154, his Bouchet tribute (2026)
- With GSI: since 2005 (his 20th guitar); 50th guitar for GSI in 2026
- GSI: his exclusive US dealer
From Viken to Lakewood
Tobias Berg was born in Helsingborg, Sweden in 1972 and grew up in the fishing village of Viken. After building his first classical guitar in 1995, he eagerly set out to learn the art and craft of guitar making. His studies took him to Canada, England and the USA, where he completed several courses and diplomas and spent time with top luthiers including Robert Ruck and Jeffrey Elliott. In 1998 he settled in Germany.
Since then he has worked full time as a guitar maker - first, for six years, as an employee at Lakewood Guitars, where working on more than 4,500 guitars helped hone his woodworking skills. In 2004 he achieved his goal of becoming a German master craftsman, passing the three-day master examination in Mittenwald, and since 2004 he has run his own workshop, building new instruments and, when time allows, repairing classical guitars. Today his workshop is in Kirchhain-Anzefahr, in Hesse.
Double Sides and the Friederich Sound
Tobias is one of the great luthiers building a traditional, lightweight yet full-sized (if slightly more compact) instrument, much like the Spanish guitar makers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 2011 he began using double sides, a practice well known among Madrid builders (originating with José Ramírez, and including Paulino Bernabé, Teodoro Pérez and others) and also found in the guitars of Daniel Friederich, whom Tobias holds in very high esteem. He believes that if the sides are not stiff enough, the energy from the soundboard travels into them and is dampened; doubling the sides adds focus and power to each note, giving his guitars an almost "cathedral-like" presence. He also reinforces his necks - with an ebony strip on earlier guitars, and more recently with titanium or carbon rods and hard rock maple, all invisible from the outside.
A Japanese-Inspired Aesthetic
Tobias has a subtle, understated but very elegant aesthetic. His headshape, rosette and bridge reveal a fondness for traditional Japanese architecture, with its perfect lines and sharp edges, and he loves unusual, characterful woods - European walnut has become a favorite, alongside pear, maple and redwood. His 100th guitar (2014) had a redwood top from a tree dating back to 1711; his 154th (2026), built for his 30th anniversary, was a tribute to Robert Bouchet, who made exactly 154 guitars in his lifetime.
Tobias Berg and GSI
We have been working with Tobias since 2005, when he sent us his 20th guitar, and in 2026 he built his 50th guitar for GSI. GSI is his exclusive dealer in the USA. His guitars quickly gained recognition among classical guitarists, including concert artist Scott Tennant of the LAGQ, Jan Erler of the Heinrich Albert Duo, Humberto De Lucia and Alp Ozan. Overall, he is one of the most charming and impressive makers in the world today.
Many Tobias Berg guitars have passed through our doors since 2005. 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 is Tobias Berg's workshop?
In Kirchhain-Anzefahr, in Hesse, Germany. He was born in Helsingborg, Sweden, and settled in Germany in 1998.
Why does Tobias Berg build with double sides?
Since 2011 he has doubled the sides so that less of the soundboard's energy is dampened in the sides, adding focus and power - a deeper, almost "cathedral-like" presence reminiscent of Daniel Friederich's guitars.
How long has GSI worked with Tobias Berg?
Since 2005, when he sent us his 20th guitar. His Bouchet tribute of 2026, his 154th guitar, was his 50th for GSI.
Where can I buy a Tobias Berg guitar in the USA?
GSI is Tobias Berg's exclusive dealer in the USA.
