Vladimir Druzhinin is a Russian classical guitar maker, born in 1983 in Novosibirsk, who builds in Sereda outside Moscow. A physicist and double bassist before he became a luthier, he trained with Timofey Tkach (1966–2026) and builds in the Spanish tradition - from Torres and the early Madrid school of Manuel Ramírez and Santos Hernández to the 1930s designs of Hermann Hauser I. GSI is his exclusive dealer in the USA.
At a Glance
- Born: Novosibirsk, Russia, 1983
- Workshop: Sereda, Moscow region, Russia
- Science: BSc (2004) and MSc (2006) in physics, Novosibirsk State University
- Music: double bass, Novosibirsk Music College; big band and studio work
- Teacher: Timofey Tkach (1966–2026), Moscow
- Building guitars: since 2010
- Influences: Torres; the early Madrid school; Hermann Hauser I
- Recent work: three "Special" models (2026) uniting guitar and violin traditions
- US dealer: GSI (exclusive)
A Physicist and Musician
Vladimir Druzhinin was born in 1983 in Novosibirsk, Russia, into a family of scientists. In 2000 he graduated from high school with an emphasis on physics and mathematics and entered Novosibirsk State University, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in physics in 2004 and a Master's degree in 2006, specializing in accelerator physics. From 2002 to 2008 he worked at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics. It is rare to meet a luthier with such focused scientific training - and physics, of course, gives a deep understanding of what happens inside a musical instrument.
A true Renaissance man, Vladimir also studied the double bass from 2004 at the strings department of the Novosibirsk Music College. In 2007 he became bass player in his local philharmonic big band, and for several years he was active on the Novosibirsk jazz scene and worked as a session musician in local studios.
Apprenticeship with Timofey Tkach
In 2010 Vladimir moved to Moscow, where he met Timofey Tkach and was accepted by him as an apprentice guitar maker. He decided to make lutherie his main occupation - it requires intense devotion, so his busy musical life had to make way. From 2011 he worked in the Liuteria workshop, a luthiers' union founded and inspired by Tkach, focusing on the classical Spanish school of guitar making while also building lutes and doing restoration work. He later set up his own workshop in the Moscow region, in Sereda.
Tkach, considered the leading teacher of lutherie in Russia, believed the art should rest on a knowledge base broad enough to build any acoustic stringed instrument. In the summer of 2025 Vladimir spent three months in Tkach's violin-making school in Moscow, building a violin side by side with him - the start of his three "Special" guitars of 2026, which mark 15 years of guitar making. Timofey Tkach died in 2026.
Torres, Hauser I and the Madrid School
Vladimir's first guitars for GSI showed his appreciation of the masters of the past, Torres above all, in their dimensions and plantilla. He then developed what he calls his "symmetric classical construction," starting from the 1930s structural designs of Hermann Hauser I, who had himself assimilated the early Madrid school of Manuel Ramírez, Santos Hernández and Domingo Esteso. Since 2022 he has applied a symmetrical top design developed with Tkach after details from the Manuel Ramírez shop. Throughout, his physicist's aim is for top, back and sides to vibrate in coordinated resonances - for dynamic efficiency, color, balance and a solid, focused, brilliant sound.
Articles by Druzhinin and Tkach
Vladimir Druzhinin guitars have been coming to GSI since 2016 - we met him on a visit to Russia and again, years later, in Germany. 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 Vladimir Druzhinin's workshop?
In Sereda, in the Moscow region of Russia.
Who taught Vladimir Druzhinin?
Timofey Tkach (1966–2026), Russia's leading teacher of lutherie, whose apprentice he became in Moscow in 2010.
Where can I buy a Vladimir Druzhinin guitar in the USA?
GSI is Vladimir Druzhinin's exclusive dealer in the USA.
