Collection: Mark Grant

Mark Grant grew up in rural Northern California, born into a family with a long history in music. Mark's great grandfather, a violinist and music teacher brought his family to America from Vienna nearly 100 years ago. After years of researching and pursuing the Golden Era guitars' DNA Mark has incorporated the best of the best of them into his designs. In an attempt to make electric guitars that don't simply imitate but actually improve upon the Golden Era guitars, Mark's designs offer fresh perspectives. According to Mark, "The past is present in my works, and I believe that you will appreciate my fresh take in the pursuit of timeless perfection of the handmade guitar."

Inspiration
Music, guitars and crafting are Mark's passions. He started collecting details about the esoteric vintage electric guitars that he loved at an early age. Around 2012 it was time to formulate a plan and craft handmade guitars from scratch just the way it was done in Fullerton and Kalamazoo in the 1950s and early '60s. Mark's production line is based on the machines, tools and jigs found in Leo & Ted's factories. The authentic tooling produces authentic results. On the other side of the shop is the recording and photo studio where Mark produces the build retrospectives of his handmade instruments. Every operation is done under one roof by Mark personally.

Materials
Mark uses only the finest raw materials to craft into his handmade guitars. Many of the woods used have been harvested decades ago. Says Mark, "I am eco conscious and work responsibly with all of the natural materials provided by our mother earth. My library of tone wood is extensive and large. Some of the wood comes to me as logs. We even have a small sawmill, and I process those logs into lumber and patiently dry the wood." Old school oil-based grain filler is mixed in house. Every aspect of the builds are completed by Mark's hands. All of the electric guitar pickups are made and hand wound in house from proprietary components. Mark even makes as much of the hardware as possible and electroplates the fabricated hardware in house. Hand rolling vintage style wax paper and foil capacitors have long been one of Mark's special interests.

Cliff's Intro text:
DAG would like to introduce you to Mark Grant who, in our opinion, is one of the all-time most magnificent builders of high-end vintage/modern T & S style guitars or as he calls them, Telifornias and Calicasters. His build quality is without equal, as he makes and machines every piece and part for his guitars whether it be wood, metal or electronic. There are no third-party parts on his guitars. They are are worth considerably more that the retails price when you take into account their tone, feel, playability, their amazing razor thin finishes and the fact that he makes everything down to the caps, pots, pickups, bridges, trems etc……. It is with great honor and pride that we welcome Mark and his incredible family to Destroy All Guitars.