Over the years, I have played several acoustic guitars. After playing my “Second Chances” acoustic built by Jim Howard, I will never play one that doesn’t have his name on the headstock. The cool thing about Howard Guitars, is each one has a story. When you order a guitar, it is 100% yours. It didn’t come down an assembly line, it came from the hands of a man that is passionate about making the finest quality instruments imaginable. After knowing that, I never want to buy one off the shelf again.
Zachery Smith
Guitarist for John Hagee’s Cornerstone Church
What can I say? After owning my Vintage Martin D18 for 30 years, I was introduced to Howard Guitars. Wow! I have been playing guitar most of my 55 years, and I never played anything like my Howard. The sound is a combination of booming bass and crystal clear tremble. My Martin now lives in its case all alone while the Howard goes everywhere I go. I was recently playing my Martin and my wife (who is not a musician) spoke up and said it’s not a Howard! She could hear the difference and I had to agree with her. Jim Howard is so gifted with wood and his ear for tone is pure magical. I would highly recommend his guitars for those who desire a powerful instrument that is easy to play and pretty to look at. You can’t go wrong with a Howard!
Michael Arp
of Charlevoix, Michigan is the owner of The Howard Biblical Custom. Michael has worked with the bands, Blackhawk, Crystal River and A Brighter Shade of Blue. His style includes Bluegrass, Blues, and Classic Rock.
I play “Purple Glory” everyday, and it’s my favorite guitar. FYI, it has held up perfectly in this super-dry Arizona environment. No noticeable shrinkage or unusual neck activity, which is not the case with all my others guitars. I think the ebony fingerboard doesn’t shrink as much as maple or rosewood. Plus your fretwork was excellent, so the frets aren’t hanging out over the edge of the fretboard. I’ve had to file down the edges of the frets on ALL of my other 12 guitars at some point, usually after about 6 months here. I have taken “PG” out to L.A. twice and I didn’t need to adjust the neck at all. Great build!
Roger Johnson
Former L.A. studio musician, and lead guitarist with such groups as Seals & Crofts, The Sanford Townsend Band, Tom Waits and England Dan & John Ford Coley
In the thirty-odd years I’ve been playing acoustic guitar I’ve owned all the “must have” instruments. I’ve owned Martins and Gibsons and came to wonder what all the fuss was about. I’ve owned Guilds and Washburns and a Gretsch, and probably at least one of every brand made in Japan and Korea. The Taylor I’ve played for the last 15 years was as close as I thought I could get to the perfect guitar. That is, until I played an instrument Jim Howard made custom for a friend. The quality of craftsmanship, the tonal quality, and the playability of that guitar was extraordinary. The inlay work was real artistry, and the joinery and finish were perfect. I commissioned a Howard of my own, and it is as much a delight to play as it is to look at. Jim guided me through the design process, and brought to life in wood and steel the vision I saw in my head. More importantly, the responsiveness of the wood produces a range and depth of tone that I’ve simply never heard before. I could not be more satisfied with what I expect to be my last guitar.
Steve Guthrie
Charlevoix, Michigan
My Howard sounds and plays great. This particular guitar was designed to accommodate the two handed tapping technique that I favor. Jim was a pleasure to work with and was very patient with me in getting the guitar just right. The special neck dimensions, frets and action are perfect for my application. Thanks Jim! I look forward to doing another with you.
JB Davies
Co-Founder Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society