 |
 |
|
~ Asher Guitars ~
Bill Asher, founder, owner and master builder behind Asher Guitars & Lap Steels is also the head honcho and master luthier of the renowned custom shop Guitar Traditions in Los Angeles. Asher has a diverse and extensive 22-year career in the guitar business and has worked with an impressive list of clients, including Grammy Award winners, Billboard Chart topping musicians, vintage collectors and dealers.
It was back in high school wood shop class where Bill made his very first guitar body, a copy of his Fender Stratocaster. It wasn't all that bad; it even landed him his first apprenticeship in 1982 at a Los Angeles guitar making and repair shop run by Jeff Lunsford. In 1985 he opened his own retail shop providing the highest quality guitar work built on his natural gift as a craftsman, and soon became highly valued by his clients for his creative solutions and excellent customer service. After selling his store in 1987, he continued to broaden his knowledge of guitar repair and the business in general by working with highly respected guitar makers such as Rick Turner and Mark Lacey. He played an integral part in managing and leading their shops in vintage restoration and repair, guitar sales and marketing, as well as custom design and the creation of fine instruments.
In 1998, Asher collaborated with rock star Ben Harper to create the Asher Slide Guitar: Limited Edition Ben Harper Model, which is the predecessor to the Asher Electro Hawaiian® Lap Steel. Ben Harper, who has given the lap steel guitar a new voice in music history, along with the classic Hawaiian lap steels made by Herman Weissenborn in the late 20's, ignited Asher's love for designing and building a masterfully crafted modern-day lap steel. Not compromising on style or quality, Asher set out and created a lap steel offering more sustain, greater tonal variation and pickup options much like modern electric guitars.
In December 1999, the Asher Slide Guitar in the hands of Ben Harper, appeared on the cover of Guitar Player Magazine. Needless to say, Asher's lap steels have become widely popular. In 2003, Asher became one of the featured contemporary steel guitar makers in the first comprehensive book about lap-style guitars titled, "Lap Steel Guitar," written by musician and journalist Andy Volk.
Today, Asher is continually being sought after by musicians, collectors and dealers-alike for his impeccable and creative work.
The Asher Team that makes it all happen
The mastermind behind Asher Guitars and Lap Steels is of course Bill Asher. Jessica Asher is the company's office manager who oversees administrative and financial aspects of Asher Guitars. She is also responsible for advertising, marketing and maintaining commerce on the website. Asher guitar builder Cory Davis is an accomplished craftsman who has over a decade's worth of experience in finish carpentry and high-end custom projects. He learned most of his woodworking skills from his father through the years and has refined his craft on a variety of creative projects. Asher guitar specialist Matt Bradford graduated at the top of his class at the Guitar Craft Academy in Hollywood, California. Immersed in all things guitar, from teaching, playing and now repairing and restoring, Matt maintains a strong work ethic and fresh enthusiasm for each an every instrument repair set before him. And Wylie is the resident mascot of Asher Guitars. She is responsible for greeting all clients and visitors that come to the shop as well as upholding company morale and a fun-loving spirit.
Asher Models: |
|
|
|
Asher Electro Sonic- $4800-$6500
Inspired by Asher's lap steel, the Electro Sonic guitar is designed for bottle-neck players and guitarists looking for fat tone and great sustain. The neck is hand carved with a smooth transition into the body for easy access to the upper frets...
|
 |
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Asher Redd Volkaert - $3400
Redd Volkaert and Asher worked for many years slowly refining this vintage inspired model, creating a high performance guitar with broad tonal range and ergonomic style...
|
 |
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Asher Marc Ford Signature - $3400
MUST-SEE VIDEO BY LANCE KELTNER WITH MARC FORD!
New model from Asher Guitars, Asher Marc Ford Signature guitar, accepting pre-orders now...
|
 |
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Asher Ultra Tone T Deluxe - $2200-$3800
The Ultra-Tone body is inspired by the classic Telecaster guitars of the 1950s and is designed to embody all the classic tones, contours, and light weight feel, with a unique and balanced offset body shape. Asher offers a variety of tone woods, figured tops, and custom colors...
|
 |
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Asher Ultra Tone S Custom - $2200-$3200
The Ultra-Tone S body is inspired by the classic Stratocaster guitars of the 1950s and is designed to embody all the classic tones, contours, and light weight feel, with Asher's unique and balanced offset body shape. Asher offers a variety of tone woods, figured tops, and custom colors...
|
 |
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Asher Electro Hawaiian Lap Steel - $2400-$2950
Asher This is a masterfully built instrument crafted from exotic tone woods with vintage and modern details. It was originally designed by Bill Asher for Ben Harper in 1998 and inspired by the Weissenborn Hawaiian acoustic lap steel from the 1930s...
|
 |
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Asher Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel - $799
Asher Guitars & Lap Steels is pleased to offer the perfect entry-level lap steel guitar for any player. This import Asher Electro-Hawaiian® Junior offers quality tone woods and solid construction with impressive resonance and sustain...
|
 |
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Asher Ben Harper Signature Model - $3200
The Ben Harper Signature Model lap steel simultaneously captures the classic tone of the revered '59 Les Paul guitar, the unique vibe of a vintage Weissenborn, with the feel and sustain of an Asher lap steel...
|
 |
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asher
