Steven Walter

Arlington Heights, Illinois

Steven Walter is that rare luthier who is also a formidable performer. Inspired to pursue the classical guitar after hearing Andres Segovia in the late 1970s, he earned performance degrees from the Boston Conservatory and Florida State University, studied with Bruce Holzman, and won a major prize at the 1991 Guitar Foundation of America International Solo Guitar Competition. He taught at Furman University for nineteen years while building guitars in the summers, then moved to the Chicago area in 2015 to make instruments full time. He now works from Arlington Heights, Illinois, with more than 300 classical guitars completed.

Walter's guitars are built around an all wood lattice braced soundboard with his defined resonance area design, which focuses vibration toward the center of the top for a strong, projecting voice, further supported by side bracing along the ribs. Raised fingerboards in the Thomas Humphrey style, upper and lower bout soundports, and comfortable neck profiles make the instruments exceptionally easy to play, the benefit of a builder who knows exactly how a guitar should feel under a performer's hands. The hallmark of the sound is the bass register, huge, open, and deep, balanced by vocal, overtone rich trebles and a wide dynamic range.

We have represented many Walter guitars over the years, in spruce and cedar over Brazilian, Indian, and Guatemalan rosewood, and what impresses us most is how consistent and refined the work has become. His 2026 cedar and Guatemalan rosewood build for us had a first string to die for and basses you can drive as hard as you like without compression. Separation of voices and dynamic range are defining characteristics of every Walter that comes through the shop, and he just keeps getting better. Our expert team can arrange a showroom visit or reserve the next Walter built for us.