Michael Batell

I am an instrument maker specializing in classical and flamenco guitars, and I have lived in Berlin since 2007.

I apprenticed in 1971 with an experienced guitar maker in the US, and soon set up my own workshop while still in University, where I studied acoustics and historic instruments such as viola da gambas, lutes, vihuelas and harpsichords. In 1974 I established the firm Day & Batell Instrument Makers with my former mentor, specializing in historic instruments as well as modern concert guitars. I also taught and lectured on instrument making and woodworking technology in the US.

My earliest influences in guitar construction derived from an exposure to the best Spanish guitars of the day. I was inspired as well by Robert Ruck and by the instruments of builders such as David Rubio and Robert Bouchet.

Today, I still work in traditional Spanish construction methods, but I also build guitars of double-top (sandwich) soundboard construction while preserving the essential tonality of solid tops. My guitars are characteristically Spanish in both appearance and sound, and possess appreciable volume, sustain, balance and clarity. At the same time, I focus attention on maximum separation and definition of tone, so that individual musical voice lines and harmonies can be easily expressed by the musician and discerned by the listener.

I construct around 15 instruments per year, mainly from my stock of very old solid timbers which I re-saw and season in my own shop. I exhibit my work frequently at guitar festivals, and I host a concert series in my gallery-workshop in Berlin. Please visit to enjoy a concert, or to tour my workshop and try my instruments.