Co-create a masterpiece of tone and beauty
Every Laurie Williams guitar is the natural expression of a collaboration between its owner and the luthier. A co-creation with as much input from the owner as desired, with the helpful direction of the luthier, to produce a commissioned instrument as immersive in acoustics as it is in aesthetics.
Tonewoods like you’ve never heard. Or seen.
Laurie Williams guitars feature some of the most resonant and unique tonewoods in the world, which also strike a chord visually. Each guitar is crafted from responsibly sourced tonewoods, either sustainably felled or recovered from New Zealand rivers or peat swamps.
A 30+ year luthier at the top of his game
Laurie Williams guitars are meticulously crafted; the synthesis of craftsmanship, musicality, physics, and art. With the experience of over three decades in each new instrument, they offer concert quality tone and are as stunning to look at as they are to play.
Laurie Williams
The lineup
The Laurie Williams range contains four distinct model: Tui, Kiwi, Karakia, and Hihi. Each sharing a gorgeous resonance his avid collectors love, Laurie Williams guitars are co-created to your exact specifications.
Tui
Designed for the fingerstylist, the Tui model has superb balance and clarity of tone. It has a wide dynamic range making it more expressive and nuanced for the virtuoso player.
Kiwi
Sharing many of the characteristics of the Tui model, the Kiwi is smaller, emphasizing more of the mid-range, while maintaining the finesse and expressiveness of its larger cousin.
Karakia
Designed with the utmost musical expressiveness and nuance in mind, the Karakia model is the true companion of the virtuoso soloist, with exceptional sustain and plenty of power in reserve.
Hihi
The Hihi (pronounced “hee hee”) tenor ukulele has been developed to complement Laurie’s larger models with the highest quality of workmanship and tone.
Musician’s corner
Discover Laurie Williams guitars as played by musicians around the world.
Join our mailing list
If you’re thinking about co-creating a Laurie Williams masterpiece, why not join our mailing list? Each edition is filled with the latest happenings, tone woods, events, a spotlight on one of our latest creations, and more.
Testimonials
“Wow… it just keeps ringing! It was finished in late 2023 and guitar features an amazing ancient kauri back, which you can stare at for hours on end and still be impressed. The river totara and subtle paua rosette was exactly what I love in an instrument, a level of minimalistic craftsmanship that is second only to the superb tone.”
Michael Howard
NZ
“The moment I picked up the guitar I felt the sense of space and my song writing ideas soon followed suit. As a fingerstyle guitarist using open tunings, the rich bass and sweet melodic tones suit my style perfectly and I’ve recorded many studio pieces now with these guitars. It’s an honor and a joy to play Laurie’s guitars.”
Simon Fox
Aus
“It’s just as (insert inadequate superlative) as I expected it would be… the balance and comfort of the instrument struck me after I had recovered from my being so pleased with the aesthetics. I think the best compliment one can give to this (an instrument) is that you forget about it while playing it.”