Richie Furay

Hall of famer Richie Furay from Poco and Buffalo Springfied is now the proud owner and player of a Petros dreadnought. Check out his website.

www.richiefuray.com

 
Aaron Keyes

Bruce and Matthew--
Just wanted to say THANK YOU.  This guitar is phenomenal.  The entire production staff at this event I just played in TN was blown away by the sound of this guitar.I've never played a guitar that was so perfect: each string on any fret sounds flawless. It's spectacular.  When I'm digging in with the band it cuts through; when I'm finger picking solo it rings out with a tone that just dominates. And, I'm already dreaming up my next one. —Aaron

www.aaronkeyes.com
Paul Clark

"While playing highly sought after vintage Martin's and Gibson's for over 30 years, every now and then I have come across a luthier who is building something special. Quite often though, the imagination of the builder seemed to be cloning the obvious. As the old saying goes, "if you're the second person to invent the hula-hoop you will come up with zero." Bruce Petros, and his son Matthew, do not fall under that category. Their teamwork renders a refreshing and passionate chemistry of sonic and visual delight, bursting with rich, sustaining clarity of tone, accompanied with an immediate ease of playability. Sadly, and not uncommon, most guitars excel in only one of these two necessary components bringing disappointing results. Every detail of a Petros guitar is an abundant expression of old world art and advanced technology coalescing together for the eyes and ears of the player and its listeners. My "Crown Of Thorns" model immediately compelled me to compose new songs and improve my skills. That's asking for a lot from most instruments, but this comes without saying in every Petros guitar." —Paul Clark

View "The Making of Paul Clark's Guitar"

View a video of the making of Paul Clark's Guitar

Mark Stewart
"I have never played a better guitar. There is no other guitar I have ever played that comes anywhere near these.  They have no equal.  I just can't say enough.  Bruce Petros' guitars are the finest guitars being made today ...period." —Mark Stewart

Mark Stewart plays guitar for Paul Simon (of Simon & Garfunkel),
Steve Reich, Bang on a Can, Polygraph Lounge and Klezmer Madness.
Jim Cole
"I stumbled onto Bruce Petros and his wonderful guitars quite by accident. I was doing a series of concerts in the Green Bay area of Wisconsin. On this particular night, I was in Appleton attending a pastor's conference at which I would be performing the following evening. To my surprise, I was asked to perform one song that evening. I was explaining that all of my gear was at the hotel when one of the worship leaders handed me a guitar. It was a Petros grand concert model. Knowing how guitars can embarrass musicians, especially when you're not acquainted with the instrument, I reluctantly agreed.

Suffice to say, Bruce's guitar was very gracious, covering my mistakes and making me sound much better that night than I really was. The tonal qualities of his instruments are very rich, and the playability is exceptional. I am pleased to add his spruce- topped, grand concert model to my collection of cedar- topped guitars." - Jim Cole

www.jimcoleonline.com

Look for Jim's next CD which will feature both of his Petros guitars.

Laurence Juber
Bruce is one of the best luthiers in the country!
Jerry Kosak
Guitarists, it seems, are always looking for a certain sound, or tone. In an effort to find this “Holy Grail,” you play many guitars. Although some of these instruments have great reputations that precede them, all too often you get your hopes up only to realize within two or three chords that you have nothing more than a collage of wood, glue, and strings in your hands. Yet, the quest continues and when you least expect it, you play a guitar that seems to move, think, and respond as you do. An unusual feeling overtakes you and you are not certain whether to feel delight or fear. You play more and when you finally set this guitar down, you hear the guitar say, “Come back again and play some more.” It is as if the guitar has chosen the player. No matter how long it takes, you will return.

I did return because I knew that there was something very special about Petros Guitars. It is a wonderful feeling to realize that I now have the best guitar I can have. With this guitar, my music has found a home.

www.jerrykosak.com
Chris Bucheit

We can talk about playability, tone, and aesthetics, but there is still a magical part of an extraordinary guitar that can’t be qualified or quantified. After having the privilege of attending a guitar show with Bruce, I got to see person after person discover all of the special things that constitute a Petros guitar. You could see it in their faces – and it was the same set of emotions that I went through when I got to play my first Petros guitar.

You’re first drawn to the aesthetics of Petros guitars, the beautiful shapes, colors and lines. I fell in love with the silhouette (or what Bruce has since told me is the “patrone”) of his guitars, immediately. The next thing you’ll notice is the shape, feel and action of the neck; there is nothing else like it. I’ve heard a lot of players say it just makes them play better, and that is certainly the way I feel.

Finally, you’re blown away by the tone. I’m most impressed by his smaller fingerstyle guitars, but all of his models have that magical quality to the sound that only the best hand-built instruments possess. I feel proud to play such a fine instrument, and I continue to discover special things about my Petros guitar all the time. —Chris Bucheit

www.chrisbucheit.com

Listen to Chris play a Petros Finger Style

Tony Kunda

I only play Petros Guitars. Bruce and Matt build the best acoustic guitars I have ever played. (Trust me, I've played a lot of high-end guitars but none of them can come close to the Petros sound.)

My Petros Applecreek EI Rosewood/Sitka D is exquisite; it can be loud and bold, or quiet and delicate. The beautiful wood combinations, subtle cosmetic details, and advanced design innovations bring the whole guitar together into one perfectly designed instrument. I feel honored to own such a fine guitar. I have had the rare privilege to play more than sixty-five of Bruce's superb guitars, and every single one has been exceptional. —Tony Kunda

www.tonykunda.com
Michael Kaye
I've shipped two Petros Dreadnought guitars by air and sea, from dry mountain air to damp Norwegian fiords, Winter and Summer tours... all extremes of temperatures and humidity. These guitars have never needed a truss rod or any other adjustment, but have been "rock solid" and consistent in playability and tone. The intonation is particularly good and the optional Fishman Matrix provided strong output, full tone and great results in the stage monitor and the PA systems.  I am sometimes burdened with the care of my clients instruments, The Petros guitars are a pleasure to care for." —Michael Kaye (Guitar Technician for Paul Simon and Mark Stewart)
Jim Rizza
I had been at High Desert Guitars in Santa Fe playing through their selection of top of the line guitars, as always, looking for a gem. The guitars were good, but none "put me over the top." Then, on the third day, I spied a Petros FS ebony guitar that had just been added to the display. I played that guitar for about 15 seconds before I came to the firm conclusion that this was an extraordinary instrument - probably the very best guitar I'd ever held.

I immediately wrote to Bruce and Matt Petros. I wanted to know everything - them, their shop, their guitars. Bruce was very congenial and answered all my inquiries promptly and completely, with insight and care. I was impressed.

Shortly thereafter, I visited the Petros' handsome shop in Kaukauna, Wisconsin and, with Bruce's help, selected woods and design options for a Petros Grand Concert guitar to be built for me. What an instrument! After more than 40 years of playing classic and acoustic finger style guitar, having owned literally dozens, I've never experienced anything like my Petros GC guitar. It is musical Nirvana.

Bruce and Matt have the magic down pat. Play a Petros guitar . . . , and prepare to fall in love.
Bob Willer

Being a “guitar junkie” with a bad case of GAS (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome), I just want to say that I am finally cured. I’ve gone through approximately 14 plus guitars in the last 6 years, always looking for “The One.” Well I found it. I’ve had my Petros Applecreek D for four years now, and I must say it is the only guitar I care to play. Three years ago I had 3 Taylor guitars, 2 Collings, and my Petros, all at the same time. Needless to say, my Petros is the only one that I kept. Anytime GAS raises its ugly head, and I think I need another guitar, I just play my Applecreek D, and the desire for another guitar is gone. How do I know I’m cured you ask? The other day I was in a music store surrounded by some of the finest guitars made today, and I didn’t play a single one! I just wanted to go home and play my Petros.

Thanks Bruce for your help in curing me of GAS, and thanks for making what I believe are the easiest to play, as well as the best sounding guitars today.  

Ex-guitar Junkie,
Bob Willer
Donna Martin
My Petros guitar is hard to put down. It's amazing sound and playability are beyond anything I've every come across.  It records beautifully and out performs all of my other guitars when it comes to maintaining intonation when I put it through the rigors of open tunings.  This is the big, deep, rich sound I've always dreamed of having. —Donna Martin

Visit Donna's website at www.donnamartin.com
Frank Friestedt
I just bought my third Petros guitar. How can I not? These things are incredible, the tops are so fine, the sound is so amazing.  My wife is being totally tolerant, bless her. There are some disappointed potential customers at (and of) Hey, Dave! - It seems any output from your workbenches would be sold in Philadelphia.  I took some photos of the two ebony/adirondack guitars, one dreadnought and one finger style, just for fun, in part to see whether there was any family resemblance in the topwoods.  There is.  The EbDread, which I have been picking pretty daily for a while, really opened up dramatically.  We all noticed it at Dave's when I brought it over for the Photo session. (One friend of Hey, Dave!, a collector of fine hand-built acoustics, got his introduction to it, he had been waiting for the opportunity for a while) I can't wait to hear the opening up of the li'l guy.  Your guitars not only sound phenomenal, they have their own sound ... unlike all the Martin and Taylor clones, you have actually re-engineered guitar sound.  I know you have not achieved world recognition yet but I truly think your stuff is important, don't stop.  The rest of the world will get there.  Thanks Bruce.
David Van Delinder
I met Bruce several years ago when I was seeking a luthier to restore an old parlor guitar I had literally found in someone's trash while walking through my neighborhood on a rainy day. He managed to eek out a sweet, loud, playable old beater from a water-damaged pile of parts. That would have been impressive enough had I not played a few of his instruments while in the shop for the first time. In my  30 year career as a recording and touring guitarist with Bonnie Koloc, Steve Goodman, John Prine and other folk and acoustic artists, I have owned and played everything from vintage Martin's to Bojo's to Gurian's to Gibson's. I have never played a better-sounding, more playable acoustic guitar in my life.

I am proud to own two Petros guitars—a cutaway dreadnought and a finger-style. I play both of them on stage, keeping the finger-style tuned to DAD GAD and the dreadnought tuned to standard for lead work. The tone of each instrument is unique but they share the same qualities: they are loud and beautifully balanced from low to high with harmonic overtones so rich and musical that, at times I would swear I was playing through a stereo chorus. Micing these instruments in the studio is simplicity in itself. We often don't employ any EQ in our mixes because the sound is so bright and rich. I cannot offer a more enthusiastic endorsement for a guitar, period.

My playing partner, Dennis Graf, a fine songwriter and singer, also plays a Petros (an ebony finger-style) which is a thing of beauty to hear and see. Our upcoming CD, Calico, Tower Bar and Grill, is a virtual Petros guitar demo. Not because we're paid to play them, because we're not, we bought them just like the next guy or gal, but because our sound is based on the interplay between two acoustic guitars and these are the finest we have ever played —David Van Delinder