Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Reddick.
Hi Ian, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’ve been a guitarist since I was 15, a woodworker since I was 10, and I’ve wanted to be an inventor all my life. I’ve also always loved things that were customizable or had interchangeable parts.
When I was 17, I got a bass guitar that had a neck that ran all the way through the body of the instrument, and I figured that if I could order a neck I could probably make my own custom guitar.
I spent the next few years doodling guitars in notebooks but didn’t start thinking seriously about getting into guitar building until I discovered the work of Rick Toone, a particularly innovative luthier whose instruments feature very deconstructed forms, industrial hardware, and ergonomic approaches. Through his work, I discovered many other innovative builders. After that, I was inspired to truly begin pursuing guitar making.
I apprenticed under two different guitar makers but ultimately decided to go back to school to study Industrial Design. I went to Savannah College of Art and Design, where I spent much of my time working in the wood shop.
For my senior project, I decided to pursue what I regarded as the ultimate guitar challenge: a fully modular guitar, where every component would be interchangeable. I managed to execute my vision, holding myself to some rigorous standards. My first modular guitar, Mercury, was the result. It was completed in 2017 and patented in 2018.
The Mercury Modular Guitar proved to be too expensive and niche for the mass market, so I went back to the drawing board and designed Voyager, a more approachable instrument that retained the modular functionality that was most appealing to players.
It features interchangeable electronics that open up many more sonic possibilities for players. My prototype was completed in 2019 and patented in 2021. It was formally announced at the 2021 Summer NAMM trade show in Nashville.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve experienced many ups and downs. My first modular guitar was not successful in the market.
Guitarists are mostly a fairly conservative bunch when it comes to embracing new technology, making it difficult to find a niche for a new product. I am also presently very limited in my production capabilities, forcing me to abandon some potentially lucrative opportunities for growth.
Initially, I had planned on having parts made for me overseas and assembling them in the US, but quality control, rising costs, and covid-related delays and supply chain issues have made this impractical. As a result, I am building all of these guitars from scratch by myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a luthier, a builder of stringed instruments. I tend to take progressive approaches to instrument design, focusing on ergonomics and expanded functionality.
There are many guitar makers out there, and many find that the most lucrative approach to this work is to make copies of guitar models that have been around for decades. Often people who try to break the mold have difficulty finding buyers for their work.
While this has been my experience as well, I pride myself on finding approaches to design that is authentic to me while still offering an approachable and familiar aesthetic.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
In my experience, networking is a bit of a numbers game.
Simply being willing to talk to anyone has led me to some unexpected connections. I have found that people with more experience are often willing to talk and offer advice when they have the time, and it never hurts to ask.
Pricing:
- Voyager Standard: starts at $1599.99
- Voyager Custom: starts at $1799.99
Contact Info:
- Website: reddickguitars.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reddick.guitars/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reddickguitars
Image Credits
Elisa Lonergan
