ABOUT PEAKE GUITARS..

I have always been interested in art and design.  I have been designing, painting, drawing, and carving things for as long as I can remember.  While studying mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland (at the UMBC campus), I focused my efforts on watercolor painting.  Right around this same time I began playing guitar - starting the same way many others have done with a Fender Strat. 

I began my education in guitar building by working as an engineer in the R&D department at Paul Reed Smith Guitars from July of 2005 to January of 2009.  I was surrounded every day by talented people whether they were on the normal production line, part of the Private Stock department, or a member of the R&D group that I was privileged enough to be a member of.  My experiences at PRS ranged from digital duplication of hand carved parts and CNC programming to jig design and process improvements.  By the end of my tenure at PRS, I had also had a chance to participate as part of the team designing and implementing the first production line for the PRS Acoustic guitars that were introduced at the 2009 NAMM show.  I was very lucky to be able to learn guitar building from my friends at the PRS shop!

Soon after starting my position at PRS, I was inspired to begin building my own instruments at home.  It wasn't unusual for me to work on Paul's guitars all day at work...and then to come home and work on my own instruments until late into the night.  The first instruments I built were made with basic hand tools.  I enjoyed doing some things by hand, but I quickly realized that better tools made it easier to build better instruments.

Lastly, I would be remiss without mentioning the continual support and encouragement of my friends and family - especially my wife, Jen who has continually supported these interests! 

I hope you enjoy seeing, playing, and hearing my instruments as much as I enjoy the myriad of challenges in designing and creating them!

Trevor Lewis