He was born the humble son of a carpenter, in the land of... oh, wait, that's another story we're all familiar with! But this story doesn't take place in the land of Galilee, but rather, the land of wood, glue, steel, and mountains... and cool, clean air! And did I mention wood? Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where in the last couple of decades, luthiers have been sprouting up like wild olive trees! And not just average guitar builders, but master craftsmen, who build some of the world's finest guitars! Rob Bustos, of Paragon Guitars, is no exception!

Rob learned the craft of "working the wood" as an apprentice in his father's cabinetmakers shop. Taking the craft in a different direction, he ventured into building electric guitars in 1993. In 1995 he began working with Larrivee' Guitars, and was part of the R&D team. In 1998, investing in some equipment with three other builders, Haida Gwaii Guitars was born. In 2002, the company dissolved & evolved into Paragon Guitars!

Rob is now solo builder at Paragon, building custom direct-to-the-buyer orders, of about 15 to 25 guitars a year. His base price now includes many options & extras that are usually add-on costs for other builders, such as solid wood bindings, fret board bindings, purflings, and whatever other fine touches the piece calls for. And no plastic, unless, of course, someone would demand it. But is Rob allergic to plastic? And did I mention the wood? Oh, the wood! Rob uses only the finest, from traditional to exotic. Rob also marries the best of tradition with the best of new technology, from the traditional dovetail joint, to bevels & sound ports. As Rob says, "The best of the best, goes into the rest!"

Usually when commissioning a guitar, the customer has a say in the woods used, and maybe the fret board markers. All else stays standard to the builders design. But when working with Rob, the customer becomes partner, and has a say in design, bracing, tone, aesthetics, and... imagination! And, did I mention the wood?

And why the emphasis on wood? Just because there is. Rob likes to use wood combinations, designs & hues, to dramatically contrast & compliment both aesthetically as well as tonally.

Will Rob become the next Jim Olson? Only time will tell. I urge you to find and play a Paragon, and then ponder that question. With a keen understanding of instrument acoustics, and a knowledge of the nature of wood, Rob is now exceeding the expectations of his happy customers! And more importantly, making friends! And passing on the awe of what a wooden box with steel strings has the ability to sound like, completing the marriage of musical instrument to functional art! Oh yes, and Rob also builds classicals as well as baritones, which he affectionately calls Paratones.

Kudos, Rob, and keep up the good work! Oh, and did I mention the wood? *Editor's note: I have not seen a Paragon but I have heard through the pipeline, by people I respect for judging good guitar flesh that it is "one of those." I will look forward to one day receiving one.

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