Balaguer Guitars: “The Guitar Has Become More Than Just An Instrument”

In our Luthier Interview Series we dive into the world of electric guitar craftsmanship with the experts who bring these instruments to life. This time we feature an interview with Joe Balaguer from Balaguer Guitars.

Balaguer Guitars hails from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, USA and was founded in 2015 by Joe Balaguer. Joe has quickly made a name for himself. Today, his instruments are played by guitarists like Saosin’s Beau Burchell and Taylor Swift’s guitarist Amos Heller.

Nuff said. Let Joe do the talking!

What inspired you to start Balaguer Guitars, and how did your personal quest for the perfect guitar shape the brand’s vision?

Starting Balaguer Guitars was a journey fueled by my lifelong passion for the guitar, playing music, and an unrelenting quest for the perfect instrument. 

Growing up, I played a variety of guitars, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. I found myself constantly searching for that ideal blend of sound, playability, comfort, and craftsmanship.

It wasn’t just about wanting to create a product; it was about crafting an experience. This inspiration led me to build guitars that not only focused on achieving great tone but also felt like an extension of the player.

Every curve, every detail was designed with intention, inspired by previous instruments I played but wasn’t 100 percent happy with.

What does the guitar mean to you personally, and how does that passion influence your work at Balaguer Guitars?

To me, the guitar has become more than just an instrument; it’s a profound source of expression and connection to people. It’s been a vessel for emotion, a way to tell stories without words, a bridge between people, cultures, and working with various artists all over the world.

My passion for the guitar has shaped not just my personal journey, but the very foundation of Balaguer Guitars. I’ve been able to create and foster so many amazing relationships with other brands, luthiers, and creators that it truly is an ongoing source of inspiration.

Every day, I strive to channel that deep appreciation into our designs. I want each guitar we create to resonate with the same mojo that drew me to the instrument in the first place.

It helps drives me to push the boundaries of craftsmanship, ergonomics, and to ensure that every instrument not only looks beautiful but also is extremely well-built.

Can you explain the idea behind combining modern designs with vintage inspiration? How do you balance these two styles in your guitars?

The idea behind combining modern designs with vintage inspiration stems from my belief that both elements offer invaluable insights into what makes a great guitar.

Vintage designs carry a rich history and emotional resonance, reflecting the artistry and craftsmanship of their time. On the other hand, a modern design influence will bring advancements in technology, ergonomics, and materials that enhance playability and sound.

Whether that is using roasted woods, stainless steel fret wire over nickel, or sculpting the body to form to the player.

Balancing these two styles involves a thoughtful approach to each aspect of our guitars. I draw inspiration from classic shapes that evoke nostalgia, but put my own spin on things while integrating contemporary features like comfortable neck profiles, a sculpted neck joint instead of a block heel, and upgraded hardware.

This ensures that our instruments not only honor tradition but also meet the needs of today’s musicians.

The goal is to create guitars that feel familiar yet fresh, providing players with the best of both worlds. Ultimately, the way we approach bridging the past and present ends up feeling seamless and natural to us because it solves so many of our own personal issues we have with older guitars.

Your guitars span several series, including the Standard, Select, and Heritage Series. Can you explain the unique features and target audience for each of these lines?

Sure thing! Here’s a quick breakdown of our series:

Standard Series: This line is all about accessibility and quality. Designed for beginners and seasoned players alike, the Standard Series features reliable components and classic designs, offering great playability without breaking the bank.

We tend to pare back on some of the flashy finishes and aftermarket parts on these, but they are still built for quality and have the specs you typically want out of a guitar in this price range (roasted maple woods, stainless steel frets, etc.).

Select Series: A step up, the Select Series caters to musicians who seek more customization and premium features.

With higher-quality woods, upgraded hardware, and refined aesthetics, it’s perfect for serious players who want a blend of performance and a broader selection of finishes and specs.

Heritage Series: This series pays homage to vintage craftsmanship while incorporating modern innovation.

These are aimed at discerning musicians and collectors, the Heritage Series showcases meticulous attention to detail and unique offerings such as aged nitro finishes and non-wood options, making it ideal for those who appreciate the custom nature and attention to detail that heirloom-level guitars tend to have.

The Select Custom Series lets players design their own guitars. How has the response been to this option, and how do you make sure each guitar shows the player’s unique style?

The response to the Select Custom Series has been incredible! Folks love the opportunity to create something truly their own. We take great care to guide each player through the design process, offering options for woods, finishes, and hardware that reflect their individual wants/needs.

By collaborating closely with our customers via email or through social media, we encourage their creative input.  We also ensure that each guitar is not only a reflection of their personality but also a unique piece of art.

Each build goes through a rigorous 46-point quality control checklist prior to shipping out. It’s rewarding to see how our instruments become a personal expression of their musical journey and style, so we want to also ensure the quality is top notch.  

You mentioned facing challenges in finding high-quality tonewoods and dealing with hardware shortages. How do you handle these issues while still maintaining the quality of your instruments?

Facing challenges with tonewoods and hardware shortages is certainly part of the journey, but we tackle these issues head-on. We’ve built strong relationships with our suppliers to ensure a steady source of high-quality materials, and we continually explore alternative options without compromising our standards. 

It is impossible to always be ahead of the curve when it comes to shortages, but we’ve done our due diligence to ensure we have multiple suppliers.

Quality is our top priority, so we adapt our processes and innovate where needed. By staying committed to our craftsmanship and being flexible in sourcing, we can maintain the integrity of our instruments while delivering the exceptional sound and playability our players expect. 

A huge part of this is meeting new suppliers at the NAMM show, always prototyping to ensure we are achieving the highest level of quality.

Balaguer Guitars has been important in the resurgence of offset guitars. What do you think has caused this trend, and what makes offset guitars attractive to players?

It is humbling to hear you say that, so I appreciate the sentiment. We have actively focused on elevating the offset guitar design because we believe a blend of nostalgia and innovation is how guitar design should be done.

Many players are drawn to unique aesthetics and ergonomic design, which goes hand in hand with most offset designs. Offsets have a distinct character that sets them apart, appealing to both vintage enthusiasts and modern musicians seeking something different.

It is something about the ergonomic intent behind having an instrument that sits on you naturally that resonates with so many.

Additionally, as genres continue to evolve, musicians are looking for instruments that inspire creativity. Something like our flagship body shape, the Espada, offers versatility and a distinctive voice, making them attractive for a wide range of styles.

We have Metal artists playing that model and also Nashville-based country session musicians. I’m proud to contribute to this trend by offering designs that honor the past while pushing boundaries, ensuring they resonate with today’s players regardless of the genre of music they’re making.  It is exciting!

You were one of the first brands to utilize roasted woods and stainless steel frets. What led you to include these features and how do they enhance the player’s experience?

I’ve always believed in pushing the envelope when it comes to guitar design and craftsmanship. The decision to incorporate roasted woods and stainless steel frets stemmed from my commitment to quality and performance, but also from the frustration older guitars gave.

Roasted woods not only enhance the tonal characteristics by providing a warmer sound due to how the cellular structure of the wood changes, but also improve stability and durability, making them ideal for various climates.

Stainless steel fret wire, on the other hand, offer players a smoother playing experience and increased longevity. They resist wear better than traditional nickel frets, allowing for effortless bends and a brighter tone.

Together, these features not only elevate the aesthetics of our guitars but also ensure that they perform at their best over time, enhancing the overall player experience. It’s about giving musicians the tools they need to express their creativity without the limitations put into place from how things used to be.

Looking ahead, what can we expect from Balaguer Guitars in terms of new models, technologies, or collaborations?

We are expanding our distribution channels so our instruments will be available to a wider audience, which is exciting. I think one thing that has me very excited as of late is the exploration into non-wood materials for neck and fingerboard construction.

I plan on exploring that more in the coming months, so you can expect to see more on that soon!

How important is it for Balaguer Guitars to connect with guitar players, and what do you do to build this connection?

Connecting with guitar players is absolutely vital for Balaguer Guitars. At the heart of what we do is a genuine passion for music and a desire to empower guitarists and bassists alike.

We strive to build relationships by engaging directly with our community — whether through social media, our Facebook discussion group, or trade shows like NAMM, Guitar Summit, etc. I think that is super important as a product-based company.

Listening to player feedback and sharing stories helps us understand their needs and preferences, guiding our designs and innovations.

We end up creating better instruments because of this, but also end up building a supportive community where guitar players feel valued and inspired.

Can you discuss the ethical practices involved in your production processes, especially regarding the factories you partner with?

Yeah, totally. I appreciate you asking this because I think it is extremely important to be transparent about. We prioritize partnerships with factories that share our commitment to sustainability and fair labor practices.

This means ensuring that workers are treated well, paid fairly, and provided with safe working conditions. The shop we work with in Korea is a smaller facility and we know the folks there by first name, go out to dinner with them every NAMM show, and visit on occasion.

It helps that we have personal relationships with our partners because we all want to stand behind what we do and how we do it.

I think another thing that is important is sourcing materials responsibly. For instance, we use tonewoods from sustainable sources and are always on the lookout for eco-friendly alternatives such as Richlite or even non-wood options.

Transparency is key for us, and we believe in building long-term relationships with our partners who align with our values. By prioritizing ethics in our production, we not only create quality instruments but also contribute positively to the communities involved in the process.

It helps us sleep at night knowing things are being done the right way, folks are being treated fairly, and we (the collective we – Balaguer USA and Balaguer Korea/Indonesia) are all on the same page about these things.

How do different music genres influence the design and features of your guitars? Are there specific styles that you find particularly inspiring?

This is a great question! I can tell I’ve been listening to too much 80’s metal when the shape I find myself designing has more than two pointy edges to it than normal. 

Each genre has its own distinct vibe and technical demands, which inspires us to create instruments that cater to those needs. For example, rock and metal players often look for guitars with aggressive aesthetics, high-output pickups, and features that enhance sustain and playability. 

This definitely plays into the production runs we put together more than anything else. I think we do a good job balancing these things though, so there is a little something for everyone.

At the end of the day though, we end up listening to the preferences of players across various styles, we ensure that our designs not only resonate with their musical influences but also check the boxes on premium features and tone. 

How does player feedback shape the development of new models and features? Can you share any specific examples where customer input led to a significant change?

Player feedback is crucial in shaping the development of our new models and features for sure. We actively listen to our community, whether through social media, direct interactions at trade shows, or customer surveys.

This input provides invaluable insights into what musicians truly want and need from their instruments.

For example, when folks expressed a desire for more aggressive pickup models. We worked on developing two new humbucker designs that incorporate ceramic magnets instead of alnico. 

This allowed us to offer something a bit different than what we would normally do, but still had the dynamic range our pickups are known for. 

This birthed our ‘Hypernova’ humbucker, which ended up being our first ever ceramic magnet-based humbucker and has also become our most popular pickup for folks who like heavier styles of music.

You collaborated with players to design the signature models. What was that experience like, and how did it impact the final product?

Collaborating with artists to design our signature series has been an incredibly rewarding experience. They all have their own unique perspectives and preferences, ensuring that each guitar truly reflects their style and sound.

Throughout the process, we engage in open discussions about features, aesthetics, and playability, which often leads to unexpected insights and innovative ideas.

For example, Beau Burchell from Saosin emphasized the importance of the Evertune bridge for tracking in the studio and tuning stability on tour. We built his first guitar with an Evertune back in 2015 when it was fairly unknown in the guitar world, and we ended up offering it as an option for any of our custom builds after that.

His signature guitar, The Woodman BB, has had an Evertune bridge on it ever since, and we are now on the 4th iteration of it and I’m so grateful for him. 

In 2025 it will be the 10 year anniversary of that collaboration, and he was a huge part of shaping the outlook for using that bridge early on.

This direct input not only enhances the final product but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride for the artist. The result is a guitar that resonates with their vision while also appealing to their fans.

Ultimately, these collaborations deepen our understanding of what players want, allowing us to create signature models that genuinely stand out in both performance and design.

How has technology changed the way you design and manufacture guitars? Are there any specific tools or software that you find indispensable and, if so, why?

Technology has significantly transformed the way we design and produce guitars. When I went to school in 2009 to learn how to build instruments, I was briefly shown a CNC and how it works, but we focused mainly on 2D drafting and using traditional methods. 

It wasn’t until later in my career that I began gaining experience with software and working alongside CAM engineers to get precise digital models, allowing for detailed visualizations before we even cut a piece of wood. This means we can experiment with different shapes, materials, and features more efficiently than ever. It’s great!

One indispensable tool is the CNC machine. It allows us to make intricate designs, prototype, and ensure that every contour and specification is just right. The precise shaping and routing only enhance our production accuracy and consistency.

Another game-changer has been the use of 3D printing for prototyping. It lets us create quick, tangible models to test playability and ergonomics before committing to final production.

Recently we were able to 3D print a new bridge design to check some aspects before sending off our file to a metal shop for milling. Overall, these technological advancements not only streamline our processes but also elevate the quality.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a guitar manufacturer in today’s market, and how do you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges we face is navigating supply chain issues and sourcing high-quality materials consistently. I think the world-wide pandemic (later 2019 through 2023-ish) was a real challenge for most businesses, and we were not excluded from that.

Fluctuations in availability impacting production timelines, among other delays, was a huge challenge. Luckily, we’ve built strong relationships with our suppliers to ensure a reliable flow of materials.

By staying adaptable and exploring alternative options, we can mitigate these challenges. Like I said above in a previous question, we must have alternatives for certain suppliers to help mitigate these things.

We prioritize innovation and quality, continuously refining our designs based on feedback and evolving musical styles.  This helps us stay fresh in the market and true to ourselves, which I think is tough for some brands.

To conform to what is most popular or what sells best is an easy out, but there needs to be a balance of that and staying true to what you do.

How do you make sure your new designs don’t alienate traditional players who like classic guitar designs?

I understand that traditional players often have a strong attachment to classic aesthetics and features, but our main goal isn’t to cater to only traditional players. Our new designs don’t alienate these players, we take a thoughtful approach that blends innovation with respect for tradition. 

I think that is evident in most of our designs. We do offer more modern styles. By striking a balance between modern functionality and timeless appeal, we create guitars that feel familiar yet fresh. Our goal is to enhance the playing experience without losing the essence that makes classic guitars so beloved.

Ultimately, we want to bring everyone along on our journey of innovation, ensuring that both traditional and modern players find something they love in our instruments.

What is your long-term vision for Balaguer Guitars? Where do you see the brand in the next five to ten years?

Without getting too specific, I’d like to see us building more instruments than before and offering them to a wider market of musicians all over the world.  All while retaining our attention to detail, customer service, and design sense. 

We are already starting that journey by expanding into the UK and EU markets!