Chris Stadler Guitars & Plectrums
Welcome to my little world, where the art of design meets the soul of music.
With a background in both design and engineering, I always aim to create objects that are as functional as they are beautiful. The designer and engineer in me meticulously shapes every curve, surface, component, and detail, always balancing aesthetic beauty with practical usability within material and manufacturing constraints. But it’s the guitarist and musician in me—drawing on over 40 years of playing experience—that demands nothing less than superb playability, a rich and magical sound, tonal versatility, and optimal ergonomics.
I’m committed to innovation because I believe that the best guitars and plectrums aren’t just refined—they’re reimagined. By challenging traditional designs and crafting every component with care, I create instruments that not only look stunning but offer a unique voice and superior playability. Each piece reflects my dedication to pushing boundaries, all while respecting the environment through the use of natural, biodegradable materials and finishes, ensuring your music resonates in harmony with nature.
A life without guitars is like a guitar without strings
My Guitars
Some guitars have a rare magic that makes playing feel effortless, where the music flows naturally, and you find yourself playing things you didn’t even know were in you. Technique and music theory fade into the background as the guitar opens the floodgates of creativity. I’ve always been fascinated by these guitars, and these have always been the guitars I’ve strived to create.
So I think of my guitars as vessels of inspiration, crafted to capture that rare, intangible magic that fuels a musician's deepest expression. Each of my guitars is built for killer tone and effortless playability, using carefully selected, seasoned tonewoods and versatile sonic options that push beyond the ordinary. Every curve, every detail is meticulously designed not just to sound amazing, but to feel right and make your heart beat faster every time you pick it up.
It's all in the hands ...
My Plectrums
Somewhere between your fingers and the strings lies the missing link to unlocking your full musical potential—a plectrum that does more than just strike a note. My custom plectrums aren’t just picks; they’re the point where mind meets matter, where all the hours of practice and the intricacies of your gear setup come together. It’s where the rubber hits the road, turning your inspiration into sound with every stroke, bridging the gap between thought and music like never before.
Crafted from natural horn and designed with 3D ergonomic shapes, my custom plectrums naturally find their optimum playing position in your hand. The horn material also gets grippier when you sweat, unlike plastics, which become more slippery when wet. This allows for a more relaxed wrist, reducing the need to pinch the pick in place and resulting in less strain, more subtle playing nuances, and better dynamics. And, of course, my plectrums are recycling a natural material that is fully biodegradable.
Never lose your plectrums again
My Pickboxes
It always seemed like a shame to mix my beautifully crafted picks with spare change in my pocket so early on i set out to craft the ultimate pick boxes: little things of beauty and practicality.
Over the years different design directions emerged but all are fueled by the desire of a minimal and practical high-end object taking design cues from high end guitar lutherie. My boxes all fit in the little jeans pocket so they are always in reach and can be customised to hearts content with precious woods, inlays, purflings, bindings and engravings.