Liikanen Guitars is a Finnish classical guitar brand formed by four luthiers. Kauko Liikanen founded Liikanen guitars in 1986, after building guitars during his first career as acoustics scientist. Keijo Liikanen joined in 1990, following a career in telecommunications. Kirsi Valsanen is a cabinet maker and trained luthier, responisble for the finishing of the hand made models. Uwe Florath is a classically trained guitarist, guitar teacher and guitar maker.
Uwe Florath and Kauko Liikanen invented and patented a unique bracing system called the "Lens Resonance System". The system is a mixture of double top and lattice bracing. This helps produce an even tone with lots of volume and sustain. It also leads to a relative uniformity between guitars which helps with consistency and quality in production.
They hand build about 50 classical and flamenco guitars each year in Finland selling in the price range of about 5000 euros and upwards. Their budget brand Kantare also uses the Lens Resonance System but is made in Vietnam with finishing and set-up in Finland.