After just over a year in Owensboro, Faris Guitars is not only building high-end acoustic instruments by hand but also helping keep guitar strings out of landfills — one of many ways the shop combines craftsmanship and sustainability with a passion for bluegrass music.
Founded by professional bluegrass musician and luthier Rick Faris, the shop opened May 10, 2023, and has quickly become a hub for handcrafted guitars, recycled materials, and new music. Faris operates out of the Kentucky Guitar Works building, maintained by the nonprofit wing of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum. While the nonprofit owns the building, the guitar work — every brace, chisel and pile of sawdust — belongs to Faris.
“We’re just over a year in, and it’s been crazy,” Faris said. “We’ve got guitars everywhere — all in different stages — and we’re just working away. It’s never-ending.”
One of Faris Guitars’ latest initiatives is “Playback,” a recycling program by D’Addario, one of the world’s largest string manufacturers. The program diverts used guitar strings from landfills — where more than 1.5 million pounds end up each year — and recycles them to make new strings and industrial materials.
“That’s about two and a half Statutes of Liberty,” Faris said. “The steel and bronze in those strings are infinitely recyclable. There’s just no reason not to do it.”
Faris said the effort helps keep costs down for everyone, from manufacturers to musicians. “As a builder, we go through tons of strings,” he said. “Just setting up one guitar can use two sets. If this helps keep string prices steady, that’s a win for all of us.”
In addition to building guitars and mentoring apprentices, Faris continues to tour part-time with his band. His latest solo album, You Don’t Know What You’re Missing, is out now. He celebrated with an album release party at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum on July 10. (The album can be heard on Spotify here).
“It’s a little bit of everything right now — building guitars, mentoring, touring when I can, and making music,” Faris said. “But I love it. And it’s great to finally be doing it here in Owensboro.”
Alongside custom guitars that sell for $6,000 to $10,000, Faris and his apprentice build more affordable models under the Kentucky Guitar Works brand. Scrap wood from guitar construction doesn’t go to waste either — his wife turns leftover pieces into bookmarks, earrings, and pick pouches.
“Nothing goes to waste if we can help it,” Faris said.
