Breaking the Mold: How London Holley Is Carving Her Own Place in the World of Luthiery

 Photo credit: Anna Penrod

EDITOR | GUITAR TECH | GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE

Ken Hastings

Ken Hastings is a seasoned music journalist and editor at Guitar Thrills Magazine, where he brings over a decade of in-the-trenches experience to every story he tells. Since cutting his teeth in the music industry ten years ago—first as a tour manager for emerging Americana acts and later as an A&R coordinator—Ken has developed a keen ear for tone, technique, and the human stories behind the gear. At Guitar Thrills, he oversees gear reviews, artist interviews, and deep-dive features on everything from vintage tube amps to the latest pedalboard wizardry. His writing is informed by countless hours onstage, in recording studios, and backstage at festivals around the world, giving him an insider’s perspective that resonates with readers—from weekend strummers to seasoned pros. When he’s not testing the latest signature guitar model or chasing down a quote from a rising star, Ken can be found mentoring young songwriters, curating playlists for local radio, or digging through dusty gear shops in search of forgotten sonic treasures. His passion is simple: to help guitarists everywhere discover new inspiration and unlock the thrill of true musical expression.

Walk into almost any guitar workshop and you'll probably notice a familiar scene. There are workbenches covered in wood shavings, chisels that have seen better days, the unmistakable aroma of sawdust, and someone debating tonewoods with the seriousness of an international peace negotiation.

Historically, there's been one other common denominator.

Most of the people behind those benches have been men.

That's slowly beginning to change, and musicians like London Holley are helping reshape what the next generation of luthiery looks like—not through grand declarations, but through craftsmanship, persistence, and a willingness to let their work speak for itself.

It's an interesting place to build a career because, unlike performing, instrument building doesn't offer immediate applause. Nobody claps when you've perfectly carved a neck profile or spent hours leveling frets until they're just right. Success is measured in millimeters, patience, and the smile on a musician's face when they pick up an instrument that simply feels...right.

It's a different kind of stage.

And London Holley seems equally comfortable on both.

Most readers know Holley as a musician. She's built a reputation as an energetic performer with a commanding stage presence. Live music is immediate. It's loud. It's unpredictable. Every performance carries its own personality, and every audience responds differently.

Then she walks into her workshop.

Suddenly everything slows down.

The contrast couldn't be greater.

One environment thrives on adrenaline.

The other rewards patience.

One celebrates spontaneity.

The other demands precision.

Yet both require creativity, and perhaps that's why Holley has found herself equally drawn to each.

As founder and head luthier of Copperhead Custom Guitars, Holley has pursued another ambition—earning recognition not simply as someone who builds guitars, but as someone whose instruments reflect thoughtful craftsmanship and originality. That's no small undertaking. Building a respected name in luthiery takes years of dedication, countless hours refining techniques, and a willingness to keep learning with every instrument that leaves the bench.

Like any craft rooted in tradition, luthiery has long been viewed as a male-dominated profession. Some of the industry's most celebrated builders have become household names among guitar enthusiasts, and for decades, women were far less visible in workshops than they were on stages. Fortunately, that landscape is evolving. More women are entering the field, bringing fresh perspectives while demonstrating that precision, creativity, and craftsmanship have never belonged to one gender.

Holley represents part of that evolution.

Rather than allowing expectations to define her, she's focused on developing her own voice as a builder. That's perhaps the most fascinating parallel between her musical career and her work as a luthier. In both worlds, originality matters. A memorable bass line and a memorable instrument share something in common—they both leave a lasting impression because they offer something uniquely their own.

It's easy to underestimate just how much knowledge goes into building an instrument. Wood selection, balance, fretwork, neck geometry, electronics, finishes, hardware, setup—every decision influences how an instrument feels and responds. A great guitar doesn't simply look beautiful hanging on a wall. It inspires someone to create music.

That's a tremendous responsibility.

After all, the next unforgettable song may begin on a workbench long before it's ever played on a stage.

Holley's education at the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery provided the technical foundation, but education is only the beginning. Like musicianship itself, mastery comes through repetition, experimentation, mistakes, and the willingness to continually improve. Every builder develops their own philosophy over time, and every instrument becomes another chapter in that story.

One aspect of Copperhead Custom Guitars that reflects Holley's forward-thinking approach is its embrace of cruelty-free construction methods, incorporating modern alternatives to traditional animal-derived materials. It's a reminder that honoring the history of guitar building doesn't mean refusing innovation. In many ways, that's how every craft survives—by respecting tradition while remaining open to new ideas.

That same philosophy seems to extend into her music. Whether performing on stage or pursuing her work as a builder, Holley appears driven less by chasing trends than by creating something authentic. It's an approach that requires patience because neither musicianship nor luthiery offers overnight success. Both are built one performance, one instrument, and one lesson at a time.

Perhaps that's the real story.

This isn't simply about becoming a successful bassist.

Or becoming a respected luthier.

It's about refusing to choose between the two.

Many people spend a lifetime searching for one creative calling. London Holley has embraced two, and rather than allowing one to compete with the other, she has allowed each to strengthen the other. Her understanding of musicians informs her instrument building. Her understanding of instrument building deepens her appreciation as a musician.

That's a rare combination.

The music industry often celebrates the finished product—the concert, the album, the flawless guitar hanging under showroom lights. We don't always see the years of learning, the setbacks, the countless hours of practice, or the determination required to reach that point.

Those quieter moments deserve recognition too.

Watching London's career continue to develop, it's clear that she isn't simply building guitars or performing on stage. She's building a reputation—one founded on craftsmanship, curiosity, and a genuine passion for music from every possible angle. In an industry where expectations have often been defined by history, she's helping write a future that feels more inclusive, more innovative, and ultimately more representative of the talent shaping it. At Guitar Thrills Magazine, we've always believed that the future of guitar isn't determined by who has traditionally held the tools—it's shaped by the people with the vision, skill, and determination to pick them up. London Holley embodies that spirit, proving that craftsmanship knows no gender and that passion remains the most valuable tool any builder can possess

About London Holley

Creativity often finds its greatest expression when artistry and craftsmanship intersect, and few musicians embody that combination quite like London Holley. A bassist, songwriter, and luthier based in Arizona, Holley has established herself as a multifaceted talent whose passion for music extends well beyond the stage. Whether performing before an audience or designing instruments in the workshop, her work is driven by the same philosophy: create something meaningful that forms a genuine connection.

As the bassist for the several hard rock bands through the years, Holley has earned recognition for her dynamic stage presence and expressive playing. Her performances are built on more than technical ability—they reflect an understanding that live music is about creating memorable experiences and building lasting relationships with audiences. Throughout her career, she has emphasized the importance of engagement, believing that authentic interaction between artist and listener is one of the defining elements of a successful performance.

Away from the stage, Holley has pursued another lifelong passion through Copperhead Custom Guitars, where she serves as founder and head luthier. A graduate of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery, she approaches instrument building from the perspective of both a musician and a designer, combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative thinking. Copperhead Custom Guitars has also distinguished itself through its commitment to cruelty-free construction methods, utilizing modern alternatives to animal-derived materials commonly found in traditional instrument building.

Holley's unique perspective as both performer and builder gives her an uncommon appreciation for every aspect of the creative process. Her experience on stage informs the instruments she designs, while her understanding of instrument construction deepens her connection to performance. The result is an artist whose work reflects not only technical expertise but also a genuine appreciation for the relationship between musician, instrument, and audience.

Whether she's laying down a powerful bass line or crafting custom instruments through Copperhead Custom Guitars, London Holley continues to demonstrate that music is about more than performance alone. It's about connection, innovation, and creating something that resonates long after the final note has faded.

INTERVIEW WITH LONDON HOLLEY AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE

Guitar Thrills: What first inspired you to become a luthier, and when did you realize you wanted to build guitars professionally?

London: I've been playing guitar and/or bass for over half my life now and have always been a bit of a dreamer, making up my own signature instruments and such. When the big box stores didn't magically have them, I figured (like every foolish kid) that it couldn't possibly be that hard to do it myself. I could name and operate your basic household power tools young because I watched my father and Scout brother make countless Pinewood Derby cars. That familiarity helped me get my feet wet and slap a few kits builds together, then ramp up to experimenting with slabs of wood. I didn't find out about Roberto-Venn until years later, when I was burning out in university (studying something completely different). I happened to meet the administrator at one of my shows, then I think it was a three-day turnaround from touring R-V to dropping out of ASU to attend the following semester. It felt like home within the first week, and I started building up my own shop the day after graduation.

Guitar Thrills: You're both a musician and a Luthier. How has building instruments changed the way you approach playing bass?

London: It's a venn diagram - they influence one another. I've learned so much about how sound physically works from building, and it has prompted me to look deeply at every instrument I see someone play, let alone play myself. I also have all of these mental notes and preferences when I play now and build to accommodate that. It helps to know how different elements of an instrument lend to a player when I'm discussing a build with a prospective client.

Guitar Thrills: Luthiers have traditionally been a male-dominated profession. Did you face any challenges entering the field, and do you think the industry is becoming more inclusive?

London: There's certainly an imbalance; in my class of thirty or so at Roberto-Venn, I was one of only two female students. However, while there's been several disappointing outliers, I’m fortunate that I've been received warmly most of the time, and I've met some truly remarkable women in this line of work. There's a lovely young lady whom I want to mention by the name of Tara Mini; she's over at Santa Cruz/Surfstrung Guitars and she inspires me consistently as an artist, businesswoman, and human. Truly a delight of a person. We represent the new generation, but there are “legacy” female luthiers as well - Kathy Wingert, Linda Manzer - who have laid a fantastic foundation.

Guitar Thrills: Copperhead Custom Guitars has developed its own identity. What philosophy guides your instrument designs, and what do you want musicians to experience when they pick up one of your guitars?

London: I think beauty for beauty's sake should be reintroduced on a universal scale. The world used to be rich with color and artwork, including that which was meant to be functional rather than decorative. A guitar is a tool, yes, but it's also an opportunity for individualism and expression; it should feel like an extension of the self, just like the music it's employed to make. I credit the specialized inlay course I took from William “Grit” Laskin as the best move, I've made for my career for that reason. It opened a rarely tapped avenue to make a piece even more signature to the client.

Guitar Thrills: You graduated from the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery. What was the biggest lesson you took away from your time there?

London: Nothing' to it but to do it, as an instructor there (Brady Shreeve - Brooks Street Guitars) often said. I loved my time at Roberto-Venn because they tossed us into the deep end from the first day; we learned by watching and clumsily replicating physical demonstrations, and the expectation for every student was to complete a minimum of two quality instruments by the end of the course. It felt like trial by fire (or bandsaw, as it were) but taught me more than any conceptual lecture could have.

Guitar Thrills: As a bassist for several rock bands in recent years, what do you enjoy most about performing live, and how does it compare to the quieter work of building guitars?

London: They both fulfill related but distinctly separate passions. I love the stage, I love performing, I love learning new material and meeting the fans and the rush. It's a very intense “job”, though, between the amount of preparation and the chaos of the show. Copperhead, on the other hand, is ten hours alone in a shop where the same project can be the focus for months. It's just as labor-intensive (if not more so), but in a methodical way. It's a mental reset and very therapeutic.

Guitar Thrills: Every custom instrument tells a story. Is there one guitar you've built that holds a special place in your memory, and what made it so memorable?

London: When you spend as much time on one thing as each instrument commands, they all take root in some way. Of course, there will always be something special about the first “real” one, even though it's technically the lowest quality. One of my favorite artists let me try my hand at making them something - I was sixteen and without a clue - and even though the thing is surely a wall ornament now, the confidence boost transformed me in a way that I'll always be grateful for. The first acoustic, the one I made at Roberto-Venn, was special, as well. There's just something about the sound being generated entirely by what your hands made, without the aid of pickups or electronics. It's validating in a whole new way.

Guitar Thrills: The guitar industry continues to evolve with new materials and technologies. Where do you see the future of custom guitar building heading over the next decade?

London: As you so kindly highlighted, I feel very strongly about building in an ethical and sustainable way. In an industry with so many quality alternatives for nonrenewable or animal-derived resources, there's no excuse to do harm in the name of tradition. Graph Tech's Tusq, for example, is a phenomenal man-made substitute for bone or ivory that I use for every nut and saddle. The fact that it comes in black is a nice design perk, too. We also must be mindful of what makes up 95% of every guitar: wood, which is precious and limited. Unique Woods of the Northwest is a hardwood supplier I've purchased from as a direct result of their investment in the health and maintenance of their local forests. Don't ask me the specifics of their maple cloning process, that science is far beyond me, but I would love to see the practice adopted on a wide scale to restore what we take. Like you said, when people invest in a custom instrument, they're not just getting a box and strings, they're getting a story. I want mine to have a happy ending for everybody involved.

Guitar Thrills: Looking back at your journey so far, what accomplishment are you most proud of, and what goals are still at the top of your list?

London: I’m especially proud of the philanthropic direction Copperhead took during its debut at NAMM 2025. The convention happened as wildfires were devastating Southern California, so I auctioned all my available instruments to support local charities, especially overwhelmed animal rescues. I’m also grateful to have worked with so many artists, both contemporary and classic—Bad Company, Corey Feldman, Steel Panther, and others—who were kind enough to take a chance on me. Looking ahead, I have a shortlist of musicians I’d love to build for, but one of my most meaningful goals is to work with “The Tree.” For those unfamiliar with the story, it began in 1965 in what Belize is now, when a massive mahogany tree was felled and left behind. Years later, it was rediscovered and found to have an extraordinary, quilted figure unlike anything typically seen in mahogany, with a tone that matched its visual beauty. Luthiers and carpenters quickly sought it out and today sets large enough for a full guitar are rare and often sell for five figures. No identical trees have been found, which is why “The Tree” has become such a coveted and recognizable material. I’ve seen it in person only four times in my career, and my dream is to work with it once I feel I’ve earned that opportunity through mastery of my craft.

Guitar Thrills: Finally, if someone is considering becoming a luthier or pursuing a career in music, what advice would you offer them based on your own experiences?

London: I fully encourage anyone and everyone to pursue whatever creative path calls to their heart. Luthiers and performance music both require repetition; I've always found “practice makes better” to be a truer and more encouraging phrase than “practice makes perfect”. I'm still learning every day. Open yourself to that as the real thrill of the journey and it'll be the right decision every time. I'm always around if anyone wants to find me and ask questions!

There are musicians who play instruments, and there are craftspeople who build them. London Holley has chosen to pursue both paths, giving her a unique perspective on what it truly means to create music. From the energy of performing to the precision and artistry required at the workbench of Copperhead Custom Guitars, her journey is one of continual growth and an unwavering commitment to her craft.

What makes her story compelling isn't simply that she's helping break barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field. It's that she's doing so by focusing on the quality of her work, the integrity of her craftsmanship, and her genuine passion for music. Those are qualities that transcend gender and resonate with musicians who appreciate instruments built with care and purpose.

As London continues to refine her skills as both a performer and a luthier, she's steadily building a reputation that reflects dedication rather than shortcuts, and authenticity rather than expectation. It's a reminder that meaningful careers aren't built overnight—they're shaped through persistence, curiosity, and a willingness to keep learning.

At Guitar Thrills Magazine, we believe the future of music depends not only on the artists who inspire us from the stage, but also on the builders whose creativity makes those performances possible. London Holley embodies both worlds, and that's what makes her journey one worth following. We look forward to seeing where her ambitions take her next.

A RECAP OF WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

• The Heart of Country Music: Why Ballads Still MatterJuly 14, 2026
• More Than the Notes: Why Passion Will Always Define a Great PerformanceJuly 13, 2026
• Breaking the Mold: How London Holley Is Carving Her Own Place in the World of LuthieryJuly 13, 2026
• Changing the Narrative: Why On Cue Media Group ExistsJuly 10, 2026