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Luthier Jay Lichty has crafted a medium jumbo guitar, which is one of two unique guitars available in 2023 to benefit The Ukulele Kids Club.
Features: Medium Jumbo body design with cutaway and sunburst; figured Maple back, sides, neck, rosette, binding: Sitka Spruce top; Ebony fretboard and headplate; beveled armrest; Craig Lavin inlay; Rodgers tuners; TKL case
Learn more about how to purchase this guitar at Lichty Guitars.
From his shop in South Carolina, luthier Peter Robson crafts flat top steel string acoustic guitars. His depth of knowledge of traditional guitar building in the Appalachian style comes by way of mentorships, guidance and friendships with some of the greats; such as Wayne Henderson and Gerald Anderson . When you add to those deep roots Peter’s love of archtop jazz guitars, the result is a passionate player and builder who crafts stellar instruments.
We are beyond grateful to Peter, for giving so generously of his time and talents. Peter has crafted an OM guitar for this project.
Learn how to purchase this guitar via Lichty Guitars. All proceeds go to benefit The Ukulele Kids Club.
With the help of our partners at Dream Guitars, two stunning luthier-built guitars sold in 2022 with all proceeds going to The Ukulele Kids Club. The guitars - a Steve Grimes Parlor Guitar (row one in the gallery) and a Ben Wilborn Baritone Guitar (row two).
In 2023 we have our sights set on selling two more luthier-built guitars to benefit TheUKC - a Jay Lichty Small Jumbo and a Peter Robson OM guitar. Learn more …
Building fine instruments since 1974 Steve is recognized as a major influence in the world of custom guitars and ukuleles. Steve has crafted over 1,000 instruments that are played by greats like Paul Simon, Jackson Brown, Willie Nelson, George Benson, Leo Kottke, Jake Shimabukuro and more. His own craftsmanship as a musician (GrimesTunes) contributes to his resounding success as a builder.
Steve is both a founding member of Luthier’s for a Cause and he has generously contributed the stunning Maple and Sitka Spruce for the 2022 project.
Ben builds fine acoustic instruments in Reno, Nevada, specializing in steel- string acoustic guitars, and the occasional archtop, mandolin or ukulele. A lifelong musician, he graduated from The Berklee College of Music, where he studied ear-training, composition and performance. Ben’s impeccable instruments reflect decades of study of musical tone and texture combined with a complete dedication to the art of building. Every Wilborn Guitar is a show-stopper!
We are incredibly grateful to both of these builders for their generous contribution of time and talent!
The Ukulele Kids Club and many many impacted kids are happy, too!
[Weaverville, NC] October 29th 2022– Dream Guitars, a leading retailer of fine guitars is teaming up with Luthiers For A Cause (LFAC), a philanthropic initiative run by luthiers to make a difference in the lives of medically fragile children. In 2022, four of the world’s most distinguished guitar builders have come together to create four unique guitars in benefit of the Ukulele Kids Club’s mission of supporting medically fragile children through music.
Steve Grimes of Grimes Guitars, Ben Wilborn of Wilborn Guitars, Peter Robson of Robson Acoustic Guitars, and Jay Lichty of Lichty Guitars have all volunteered their time and talents to craft a family of four different sized guitars, all made of master grade Maple and Sitka Spruce. Grimes, who has donated all of the woods used for this project, says he joined the project because of his “desire to contribute to a wonderful cause and organization.” While Jay Lichty, founding member of LFAC and a luthier in North Carolina has shared: “I am extremely honored to once again be involved with a Luthiers for a Cause project. I get to do what I love to do and work with some great Luthiers and at the end of the day, it’s all for a great cause. Now that feels good.”
Dream Guitars, the highly renowned online instrument retailer, is partnering with LFAC as the platform that will auction these one-of-a-kind guitars. “"We are all in this life together and we should take care of each other. That's what I believe and that's what Luthiers For A Cause (LFAC) is all about. If you are a guitar lover, here is your chance to get a new guitar AND help children by providing the gift of Music Therapy.” said Paul Heumiller, founder of Dream Guitars. “Imagine children being given a ‘ukulele and lessons so that music can be a big part of their healing. I know every guitar lover knows the magic of music and it's been proven time and time again to have healing powers. You have the power to help!”.
Visit Dream Guitars Luthier’s For a Cause Guitar Listing - See and hear each guitar and learn more about what makes every one of them a one-of-a-kind.
-Lily receives the gift of music through her own ukulele, thanks to the Ukulele Kids Club.
The proceeds from the auction of these guitars will benefit the Ukulele Kids Club Inc. The Ukulele Kids Club Inc. (UKC) a 501c3 non-profit that supports medically fragile children through music. Through donations of its signature instrument, the UKC helps children learn how to apply music for wellness, in collaboration with music therapists around the world. The UKC partners with over 325 music therapy programs globally and has donated over 13,000 ukuleles since its inception in 2013. Last year, they launched their new program UKC AT HOME, aimed at supporting kids at home at no cost to them.
Dream Guitars has listed these incredible masterpieces for auction as individual buys or a purchased set starting as of November 4th. 2022. To make a bid on one of these luthier-made guitars, please visit dreamguitars.com/luthiers and email sales@dreamguitars.com with your bid. Your purchase may be tax deductible as a contribution to the Ukulele Kids Club.
The Luthiers for A Cause 2022 project is also made possible with the generous donations of materials and support from Steve Grimes, TKL Cases, Rodgers Tuning Machines, Craig Lavin Custom Inlays and StewMac.
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About Luthiers for a Cause
Launched in 2017, Luthiers for a Cause is a fundraising initiative that brings together world-class luthiers to make custom instruments in benefit of a charitable organization. Their first build of 6 unique ukuleles raised over $100,000 for the Ukulele Kids Club Inc.
About the Ukulele Kids Club Inc.
The Ukulele Kids Club (UKC) is a nonprofit organization based in Lakeland, Florida. The UKC has directly supported the healthcare of over 12,000 children through music, music therapy and donations of its signature instrument. The UKC works with more than 270 music therapy programs in the U.S. and internationally, including Canada, Colombia, France, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and the United Kingdom. The UKC is a platinum-level GuideStar participant; Learn more at www.theukc.org.
About Dream Guitars
For nearly two decades, Dream Guitars has been the preeminent dealer of high-end acoustic guitars, offering a first class experience with real expertise and guidance to the player and collector alike. Dream Guitars stocks an inventory of the finest steel string, nylon string, and electric guitars, while maintaining relationships with the best luthiers on the planet to get custom built instruments into the hands of those wanting the ultimate build experience. Call us at 828-658-9795 or visit our website at www.dreamguitars.com to find your dream guitar.
Press Contact
Jay Lichty, Luthier
828-817-1460
lichtyguitars@gmail.com
Dream Guitars - More than just a guitar shop! Learn more about Dream Guitars and their partnership with the 2022 Luthier’s for a Cause project.
Read moreCheck out this video of luthier Ben Wilborn’s introduction to his Sidewinder Baritone Guitar. It looks AMAZING and yes, it sounds AMAZING too!
See more of Ben’s beautiful work at Wilborn Guitars.
Stay tuned to DreamGuitars.org for news about how to purchase this guitar, along with the three other luthier-built guitars. The project is all about raising awareness for and funds for The Ukulele Kids Club.
Elegant, responsiveness, thoughtful … these are all descriptions that come to mind when a player thinks of a Wilborn Guitar. Luthiers for a Cause is incredibly fortunate to have Ben on the team for 2021. We can’t wait to see the finished guitar!
Ben is building a Baritone Sidewinder Guitar for Luthiers for a Cause 2021.
Follow his latest build news here and prepare to be blown away!
All proceeds from the sale of each of the four LFAC guitars will go to benefit The Ukulele Kids Club. Our partners at Dream Guitars will be making these instruments available for purchase late fall 2021.
Learn more at Wilborn Guitars
See luthier Jay Lichty begin building his Luthier’s for a Cause 2022 project …
Read more
Luthiers for a Cause 2022 Kick Off Press Release
Read moreWhen Marlén Rodriguez-Wolfe, Executive Director of The Ukulele Kids Club has something to say - we listen! Beyond her role as the fearless director of The UKC, Marlen is a respected voice in the world of music therapy.
We invite you to read her recent article: The Ukulele Helps Us Heal, Cope and Improve Wellness.
