North Coast Guitar Company
We’re a full service fretted instrument repair and custom building facility that also offers individualized training programs. Whether you drag your guitar to every festival and bar, or play it on your back porch, we’re here for you. We’ll take care of that high action, the buzz that’s driving you crazy, or that burr that keeps breaking your e-string. We’ll keep your neck straight and your sound clear. Whether it’s a basic setup, wiring up electronics, a structural repair, or building the guitar of your dreams, North Coast Guitar Company is there for all of your fretted instrument repair and building needs. Because here at North Coast we know it's not just a guitar, it's your guitar.
Russell Olmsted - Owner
Russell Olmsted is a master Luthier with over 20 years of experience building and repairing guitars. After graduating from the Galloup School of Lutherie in 1999, Russell began working for Galloup Guitars. While there, he made prototype guitars for the McPherson Guitar Company, hand built custom Galloup Guitars, managed the Galloup Repair Department, and spent 8 years as the Director and Head Instructor for the Galloup School of Lutherie, one of the premier lutherie schools in the US.
Russell has years of experience building several different styles of guitars, including acoustic and electric guitars and basses, archtop guitars, and classical (nylon string) guitars. He’s done repairs ranging from standard set ups and electronics to guitar full vintage restorations and structural repairs.
In addition to building and repairing guitars, Russell has also trained Luthiers from all over the industry and the world including Austrailia, Brazil, Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, New Zeeland, South Korea and the U.S.. His former students now hold positions as heads of building departments and managers for well known guitar companies such as Paul Reid Smith, Gibson, Collings, Greenfield Guitars, First Act, Ribbecke Guitars, and Benedetto Guitars. Other Students have found positions in repair or building departments at various guitar companies or are guitar techs for musicians such as the Black Crows, The B-52’s, K.D. Lang, Counting Crows, The Dixie Chicks, and Paul Simon.
Zack Balwinski - Head Luthier
Zack began his career in lutherie in 2010 after completing the Masters Program and graduating from The Galloup School of Lutherie. He spent the next 6 months touring as a guitar tech gaining valuable experience in repairs, setups and instrument maintenance. Zack then returned to Galloup Guitars and began building instruments and working as the Head Instructor of the Archtop Program for over 8 years. He also taught classes in pickup winding, tool sharpening, inlay, fretting and instrument setups. Many of the students Zack taught have gone on to their own successful careers in lutherie as custom builders, repair techs, and team members at instrument manufacturers such as Paul Reed Smith, Gibson, Gallagher Guitars, Bougois, Fender, Heritage and more.
During his time at Galloup Guitars Zack grew to manage the Guitar Building Department, the Repair Department, and was a lead builder on several special projects including his work with Tyler Robbins on “The Mission” and collaborating with Dan Erlewine building reissues of classic iconic instruments. The most recent being an Albert King Flying V built for Joe Bonamassa.
Zack has experience in building several kinds of instruments including Acoustic, Nylon String, and Electric guitars as well as Acoustic and Electric Basses. But his specialty is hand carved Archtop Guitars. For Zack, the only job more satisfying than overhauling an old instrument to play like new is carving archtop plates with his favorite plane.
We couldn’t be happier to have Zack with us here at North Coast Guitar Co.!