Florian Jaeger & his workshop

I grew up with the sounds of my father, a master flute maker, turning wood in his workshop in the basement - and hours and hours of practicing Bach.

It's no wonder that I, vice versa, fell in love with blues, rock and the crying voices of electric guitars. It wasn't long until I was playing in my own band with a cheap, discount guitar. The guitar didn't play or sound very good, but I knew that it was possible work on and improve instruments because that's what my father did. I decided to work on my guitar and was able to dramatically improve its sound and playability with some simple "tricks" I discovered (you really don't want to know!).

After receiving my high school diploma, I went to the university to study history, but I was always drawn into my father's workshop where the aromas of old, tropical woods and fine woodworking tools, passed down from previous generations waited for me.

My family has been here in the Allgäuer High Alps, in Bavaria for over 1000 years. My grandfather was a singer and skilled carpenter, his sister was an academic sculptor and painter. In the 19th century, my ancestors created the forged grids of the Stephansdom in Vienna.

So, there is probably something in my blood!

I decided to follow my heart and become a luthier. I took an apprenticeship in Munich with Thomas Keller, a master guitar builder. He showed me everything he knew about building fine acoustic and electric guitars.

I passed my skilled craft examination (it ́s called „Gesellenprüfung“ in Germany), then worked for a few years in Munich to gain more experience. It was time for me to go back to the mountains. I opened my own shop in O-Burst-Dorf (Oberstdorf) to focus on my passion: the legendary look, feel and tone of the guitars that made Rock 'n Roll and Blues history - the Les Paul!

To complete the circle, I passed my examination for the master craftsman's certificate in the Geigenbauschule Mittenwald.