Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew McClellan.
Hi Matthew, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been trying to build things and make music for as long as I can remember. My dad was a contractor in the South Carolina Lowcountry, and my parents were musicians, so I was exposed to woodworking and music from a very young age. Some of my earliest memories are visiting job sites with my dad and brothers and hearing my parents play guitar and piano. When I was about 8 years old, I made a drum kit using leftover construction materials: 5 gal buckets with different levels of water in them, a piece of tin was my snare, and I had a metal trashcan lid for a cymbal. I guess that was the very first instrument I ever made.
By the time I was in high school, I was gravitating towards the finer aspects of woodworking and was working for my dad or other local builders over summers or holiday breaks. I’ve also played guitar since I was 10, which has become a huge part of my life. After an unsuccessful year at college, I moved back to the Lowcountry, where I worked for several contractors in the Charleston area for a few years. In 2006 I attended a small lutherie trade school outside of Atlanta, GA, where I worked for about a year and a half post-graduation. I learned so much there but realized I had so much more to learn. Over the next few years, I built cabinetry and furniture as a main source of income and built and repaired guitars as a hobby. In 2010 my wife and I relocated to Pendleton, SC, and in 2011 I was fortunate enough to move into the shop on Pendleton Square, where I’m still located today. In this shop, I mainly built custom cabinetry and furniture and did some antique refinishing. I was also playing a lot of music and wanted a better guitar. I couldn’t afford a nice one, so I built one.
That was the best decision ever. It was an excellent guitar and got much attention in the local music community. As a result, I built a few more for friends of mine. After about 6 acoustic guitars, I realized I was consistently building pretty nice instruments and thought something could come of it. I started studying steel string acoustic guitar building, acquiring better tools, and making the necessary jigs and templates. I also realized that I was absolutely hooked, and there was no turning back- this is what I was made for. I started spreading the word through the local music community and doing a lot of instrument repair while also taking on fewer and fewer cabinetry and furniture jobs. In 2021 I took the leap of faith and started focusing solely on building heirloom quality guitars.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
I’m an artist, and most are allergic to making money! I wouldn’t say it’s been particularly easy; there have always been ebbs and flows, like anything. As artists, we may never get rich, but the world will be enriched by the things we create, which makes the struggles and hurdles worthwhile.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I build high-end custom guitars. These are heirloom quality instruments, solo built from scratch here in my shop in Pendleton, SC. My guitars are known for plenty of well-balanced volumes, sustain, clarity, exceptional playability, and a clean fit and finish. I pride myself on my quality of work, attention to detail, and the personal level of customer service I try to provide each client.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was stubborn, independent, and shy. I loved nature, animals and outdoors, music, and making things with my hands. Nothing has changed!
Pricing:
- Custom guitars are priced individually based on wood species/grade, hardware, inlay, and electronic options. Guitars start around $4,500 with a $1,000 deposit on all commissions or to reserve an instrument.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mcclellanguitars.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcclellanguitars/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcclellanguitars
Image Credits
All images are the property of McClellan Guitars.
