S3 GUITARS

product types: 

  • acoustic guitars
  • electric guitars

Information: 

S3 Guitars was a custom guitar shop specializing in arch top and solid body guitars and basses. Steve Saperstein was the builder. Steve Saperstein began building guitars around 1990 as a hobby which then led to him operating a full-time workshop from his home in Palo Alto. His initial creations were classical guitars and ukuleles, but his passion for jazz led him to focus on arch top and solid body guitars.

His approach to guitar making emphasizes creating instruments with exceptional sound quality and showcasing the highest level of craftsmanship he can achieve. Saperstein has a preference for using abundant wood in his guitars, favoring wood binding and crafting his own handmade wood tailpieces and pickup rings. He aims to construct guitars with a rich, woody tone and a substantial feel. To achieve this, he employs carbon fiber rods and hardwood laminations in the neck construction to maximize strength and minimize flexibility. His arch top bodies consist of premium spruce and maple, utilizing offset x-bracing and advanced carving techniques to achieve a balanced tonal range and maximum volume. For his solid body instruments, Saperstein employs laminated necks with carbon fiber rod inserts and a 15-degree headstock angle, which enhances sustain and encourages the wood to interact with the string vibration.

For Saperstein, the joy of building transcends the technical and craft aspects. He takes pleasure in every step of the process, from cutting and sanding to planing, scraping, and polishing. The ultimate reward comes from hearing the instruments he creates come to life and produce their first sounds. This experience sets his labor apart from other arts and crafts he has pursued, filling him with excitement, pride, bliss, and a sense of spiritual uplift. He also finds immense satisfaction in hearing others play the instruments he has crafted.

Saperstein acknowledges three individuals who have played pivotal roles in his journey. First is Tom Ribbecke, whom he had the privilege of meeting at the Healdsburg guitar festival. Ribbecke has served as a valuable mentor and friend, offering inspiration through his dedication to the art of lutherie. Although Saperstein's guitars are not replicas of Ribbecke's work, the latter's craftsmanship remains a constant source of motivation. Second is Frank Ford, with whom Saperstein spends one day a week repairing and setting up guitars and other fretted instruments at Gryphon Stringed Instruments. Ford has been an exceptionally patient teacher, helping Saperstein refine his skills in ways only a master repair person can. Finally, Saperstein expresses gratitude for his wife of many years, Nancy provided unwavering support and encouragement. She stands as his strongest advocate, always ready to uplift him after any setbacks and showering his work with praise, treating each creation as a masterpiece.

Source: S3 Guitars website (archived 2002)

Location

S3 Guitars 94304 Palo Alto , CA
United States
California US