The reason I started Dream Guitars goes back to one guitar, a guitar that inspired my music in such a way that I was changed forever. I had met Fingerstyle guitarist Martin Simpson and he was mentoring me on my guitar playing. Martin encouraged me to reach beyond what I thought I needed and get the very best guitar I could afford as he insured me it would inspire my music. I trusted Martin and did just that. I scraped together every dime I could to buy a guitar that at the time I could not afford. With approximately $7,000 I picked up a Stefan Sobell Brazilian Rosewood guitar handmade in England.

During the first few days with the instrument I learned so much about my playing. Subtle nuances and techniques that I was already doing that my inferior instrument could not produce I now heard.  On the flip side, because of the instrument’s round trebles and great sustain I had to learn how to really emote on guitar. I was beginning to better understand my playing and where it could go.

But perhaps the biggest aspect of that first hand made guitar was the impact it had on my playing time. I could not walk by that guitar without stopping and grabbing it even for a moment. I went from practicing an hour a day to practicing three or four. I took it everywhere I went excited about the next time that I would hear its beautiful treble notes that were full like a clarinet. I couldn’t wait to hear the long lingering notes that seem to get stronger overtime. I couldn’t wait to put a few more miles of wear on its top finish because I was playing it so aggressively to get the very most sound out of it, making it mine with every stroke.

This was not just a guitar, it was a partner in my musical experience, it was true inspiration which enabled me to write hundreds of songs and elevate my playing tenfold in a very short time. This is why makers build these fine instruments spending hundreds of hours to do so. This is why I started Dream Guitars – to help you find your inspiration.

-Paul Heumiller