Stefan Sonntag — Master Guitar Builder

Vita

Born on October 17, 1964, in Augsburg.
I began my training as a guitar maker in 1986 at the Violin Making School in Mittenwald, where I learned the basic craftsmanship and principles of guitar making.
In 1989, I completed my training by passing the journeyman’s examination and began my apprenticeship at the Höfner company in Bubenreuth. There, I gained insight into industrial guitar production and the efficient use of woodworking machines for manufacturing individual guitar parts.
In 1990, I moved to Strohmer Gitarrenbau in Nuremberg, a small workshop specializing in custom-built guitars of all kinds, repairs, and small-batch production.
In 1993, I passed the master craftsman’s examination as the top student in my class and began setting up my own workshop in Augsburg. Since then, I have been serving guitarists from all over Germany and around the world from this location.

Artisanal Guitar Making

I build almost exclusively archtop jazz guitars. Every instrument is handcrafted in my workshop. I do not use any prefabricated parts. I make every component of my instruments myself. To do this, I use select woods that I choose directly at the sawmill. They are dried and aged in my lumber storage for several years; only then do they reach the quality I need to build a guitar that meets my standards.

I enjoy combining business with pleasure, as I do here on a trip to the “Rocky Mountain Archtop Guitar Festival,” where I can showcase my guitars to an enthusiastic audience of guitar enthusiasts.

Sonntag guitars on Video

As part of a training project by two employees of a major television network (which cannot be named for legal reasons), a short segment was produced about me and the workshop. I think the film turned out well and is both interesting and informative:

Camera, Editing, Concept: David Gastager; Sound: Daniel Westermeier

Interview with Supergain TV

Michael Vochezer and Enrico Coromines, the operators of the YouTube channel Supergain TV and the Guitar Academy of the same name in Munich, were “on the road” in August 2020. They visited me at my workshop in Augsburg to conduct an interview with me for Supergain TV. I had the opportunity to talk about my background, and they wanted to learn both general and specific details about archtop guitars. Of course, I was happy to help.

Michael Vochezer (left) interviewing Stefan Sonntag

A second part of the interview, which focuses specifically on the guitars themselves, is available here.

The Workshop

My guitar-making workshop is located in a quiet suburb of Augsburg, easily accessible from downtown and from out of town. I run it as a one-man operation. That’s why I can personally handle all matters, whether they’re orders, inquiries, or consultations.