My name is Michael Lagerstedt. I build guitars, make videos, write music, and create tools for people who love guitar projects.

My guitar building started with a very typical thought for someone who doesn’t know much about a subject: how hard can it be?

Well, it turns out it can be hard to get it right. But the good thing is: that thought got me started.

Since then I have been building partscasters, experimenting with old wood, pickups, wiring, finishes, and small details that give a guitar its own personality. I am especially drawn to instruments that feel personal — guitars with character, mistakes, history, and a story behind them.

As long as the instrument is inspiring to the player — the goal is reached.

The most important thing is that an instrument is inspiring to the player. Everything else is secondary.

On my YouTube channel I document the full process: the ideas, the problems, the fixes, and the things I learn along the way. I am not a trained luthier, and I do not pretend that everything works the first time. For me, that is part of the point. I make all the mistakes so that you don’t have to.

I also created Partscaster Planner, a free online tool that helps guitar builders plan their own projects before they start buying parts.

This website is the home for my guitar builds, videos, music, tools, and experiments.

I am still learning — one guitar at a time.