David Teske

A Heart for History, Vintage Instruments, and Woodworking.

David Teske has a long history with woodworking. He started playing guitar at 8 years old on a Bentley acoustic, and a few years later he began making furniture with his father. Together they made beautiful wood tables, chairs, cabinets, and more. At 18, David became curious about the construction of instruments, which led to him repairing his own instruments and eventually making his own. Over the years, he’s crafted banjos, ukuleles, violins, and countless guitars. For a time, he also designed and built custom commercial furnishings.

In 2003, David started his career with Heritage Guitars, a boutique guitar company housed in the original Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, MI, and founded by former Gibson employees after the company relocated to Nashville in 1984. After starting out in body assembly, he moved through various areas of the factory and gained knowledge of the entire process by working alongside well-seasoned craftsmen, many of whom had a hand in crafting some of the most valuable guitars ever made. Eventually, he settled in the finishing and setup department, where he spent years overseeing that part of the business.

Today, David is focused on putting that experience and years of industry knowledge to work for a wider audience through his own shop. Combining his background in instrument making and finishing with his lifelong experience in woodworking, he provides custom instrument finishing, furniture building, and furniture refinishing for clients looking for thoughtful craftsmanship and work built to last for generations to come.

Looking to bring new life to an older instrument or piece of furniture? Take a look at the Services page for more information.