Guitars by Levinson History, a timeline…

It all started by chance. In 1964, I was working in a small guitar shop in Galesburg, Illinois. One day, a country singer came in with a completely wrecked Gibson—it had fallen off the stage. He asked me if I could fix it. I said yes, even though I wasn’t sure how. He simply bought a new guitar and gave me the remains. That broken guitar changed my life. I began building a new instrument from the individual parts—and in doing so, discovered my passion for stringed instruments.

When I came to Switzerland in 1971 to study at the University of Basel, I supported myself by repairing guitars and restoring antique instruments. In 1977, I made a decision that would change everything: I took a break from my research career to dedicate myself entirely to guitar technology and guitar making. That one year turned into a lifetime—and I founded Guitars by Levinson.

My first band «Appaloosa»

Guitars by Levinson when I opened the shop in a bedroom of my apartment on Burgfelderstrasse 189 in Basle together with my wife Romy.

Working on a custom Firebird order 1981

Research on woods and modes of vibrations on acoustic guitars 1983

Pickup design 1991

Launch of the Blade Durango 1993

Guitars by Levinson today with Philip Bangerter