ABOUT

DENNIS PATKUS

In 1974, I built my first Steel String Guitar in Florida basically outside, out of necessity and a desire for a good sounding instrument. It was constructed with the help of David Russell Young’s book.

It sounded good but was overbuilt. The move to Maine and the first winter became an important lesson in humidity control as the instrument quickly de-constructed.

Through many long discussions with a good friend and local violin maker, I came to believe certain major rules of instrument making:

* Use high quality, well-seasoned wood and put it together in a humidity controlled environment.

* "Any wood or material built into a guitar that is not absolutly necessary for its structural stability, robs it of sound."

I build guitars on a one-at-a-time basis, devoting my time to each individual instrument.
My guitars are built under the name Patkus & Weston. I have built primarily dreadnaughts and some custom ordered Selmer copies.
The Dreadnaughts have been met with enthusiasm in the Massachusetts and Maine area, particularly in the bluegrass community. Bluegrass is my music of choice and consequently, this is the sound intuitively built into them.
The gypsy jazz models have proven to be wonderful guitars as well. ( I will be making more of these.)
My experience has taught me what to expect from different wood choices and construction methods, and I can now anticipate the end result.

I would be happy to respond to all inquiries for information and requests for custom instruments.
You will find instruments currently on hand in the inventory tab.

Thanks for visiting Patkus & Weston.

Dennis Patkus