David Benavides established Benavides Guitars in 2010 in Ahipara, New Zealand. David (A native of Chicago) initially built guitars as a hobby for seven years before moving to New Zealand.  He built a climate controlled clean­-room in the garage to start his business . He specialises in acoustic guitars built from many different timbers ranging from traditional Mahogany to New Zealand's 40,000 year old Ancient Kauri.