Welcome
to Hoytbasses.com
Greetings: I am an educator and stringed instrument builder on Cape Cod (USA) . In my 'day job' I teach High School Students how to build stringed instruments as well as instruct students in regular woodworking. Every year, we produce around 60 instruments and countless cabinets, turnings, tables etc.. It's exciting and rewarding to see young people who have never built anything in their lives turn a pile of boards into a useful, beautiful item.
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This is an example of the excellent work that my students have done. You can also see in this picture a few cabinets and turnings built by my regular woodworking classes. If you'd like to read a little more about the exceptional high school I work at, Check out Nauset Regional High School.
About me:
I've been building stringed instruments since 1978. I bought a book on guitar building and a pile of wood from the Luthiery Legend Himself, Michael Gurian, and built an acoustic guitar. Unfortunately for me, it was quite playable, which led to my next project, then another, and another. I used guitar building as a stress relief from my 'day job' as a psychotherapist/behavioral specialist working with troubled teens; a career that I pursued for 23 years. Thirty years and hundreds of instruments later, I'm still trying to improve upon the last instrument.
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As a bassist, guitarist, and trumpeter and have played in 'weekend warrior' bands my entire adult life. This has given me the luxury of trying out my designs on stage. In addition, I've collaborated with some excellent full time pro bassists in the perfection of my design. My goal is to build the best sounding, most comfortable, organic feeling, great looking instrument I can. My basses are all over the US, have been on MTV, Oprah, the Chatham 4th of July Parade and been on countless recordings.....I guess I've done something right.
I prefer to build instruments that are pretty enough to look good under the lights but end up being the person's 'go-to' bass, rather than something that lives in a closet. Because my first love is basses, I tend to build instruments in the bass family. However, I really enjoy building acoustic guitars. Here is a 3/4 scale guitar I built for my grand-daughter, Lily.
About my luthiery practice:
In 2001, I quit building instruments on commission. This was because I made the move from psychotherapist to guitar building teacher. Other teachers will tell you about the tremendous amount of energy it takes to do the job right, and I wanted to keep my focus on my students. I closed up my cheesy webpage, said 'no thanks' to the many inquiries I received, and focused on teaching. I did build a few things here and there usually for close friends or instruments that were donated to charitable causes.
As you can see from this, my most cheesy of WebPages, I'm back building a few commissions a year. If you think you might be interested, send me an e-mail and we'll start a conversation about your instrument.
click HERE for my gallery page
Check out my CELEBRITY ENDORSEE page. That's right, big name celebrities play Hoyt basses!!!!!
.... and thank you very much for coming by!