When Masters Meet

When Master Realist Painter Peter Maier met Master Guitar Makers Dale and Tyler Unger of American Archtop Guitars, the discussion to collaborate evolved into a year long process of combining two of the oldest know crafts — sixteenth century luthiery and third century gold leafing.

Unwilling to compromise sound quality, the chemical relationships between art and medium were closely examined and experimented with.

For over a year panels were tested with different lacquering and gilding applications to measure thickness, vibration allowance, endurance, temperature variability, as well as the aesthetics.

Between Maier's studio nestled in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, and American Archtop' s "Church of Art" in Nazareth Pa -- a town with a storied guitar history, home to C.F. Martin Guitars.

In total, three one-of-a-kind pieces of fine art were created.