Barn Custom Guitars

Barn Custom Guitars: The Soul of Wood Reborn in Sound

Barn Custom Guitars is the project where the history of the material meets the vibration of music. Born from the vision of Stevan Michael Branch, the workshop transforms reclaimed wood and ancient beams into premium electric guitars, capable of combining a “lived-in” aesthetic with high-level technical performance.

The history of Barn Custom Guitars is rooted in the dual identity of its founder: musician and craftsman. Stevan Michael Branch chose to dedicate himself to lutherie to answer a need for authenticity, bringing with him a profound artistic sensitivity developed through years of experience on stage. Every instrument that leaves the workshop is not just a technical object, but a story: reclaiming wood is not just an ecological choice, but a search for deep and unique tones that only materials with a history can offer.

Michael Branch’s Atelier and Production

Behind Barn Custom Guitars is the work of a single artisan, Stevan Michael Branch, who for years has personally overseen every stage of production in Podenzano, in the province of Piacenza. His total dedication guarantees meticulous control over every detail, making each piece an unrepeatable solo creation.

Barn Custom Guitars focuses its production on electric guitars, primarily Strat-style and Telecaster shapes. Each instrument is designed for those seeking an unmistakable sonic character and an aesthetic that breaks industrial molds.

Among the lines and models worth mentioning are the Mosswood, inspired by the Telecaster but diverging from it; the Old Reclaimed Wood, made with materials recovered locally, such as farmhouses, railway stations, or old musical instruments; the Relicworks, where Michael Branch manages to showcase all his craftsmanship skills; and finally the Deluxe series, which stands out for its fine finishes and premium workmanship.

Materials and Reclamation Philosophy

The choice of materials is the element that makes Barn Custom Guitars an excellence in the Italian lutherie landscape:

Italian-Sourced Woods: Poplar, spruce, maple, rosewood, and ash, all rigorously selected in Italy.

Second Life: The construction philosophy is based on giving new life to old, disused wooden objects, such as ancient beams and centuries-old boards, reinterpreting them to create instruments of high technical and sonic level.

Natural Aging: Thanks to his mastery of traditional techniques, Stevan Michael can give the instruments an absolutely natural “aged” or “relic” look, enhancing the grain and the signs of aging already present in the reclaimed wood.

The crafting process follows classic lutherie methods, where the human hand guides every cut and sanding. Barn Custom Guitars offers a customization service, allowing the musician to collaborate in the creation of an instrument that exactly reflects their sonic and aesthetic needs.

Annual production stands between 10 and 50 pieces, guaranteeing absolute exclusivity and uncompromised quality.