About
Foss Giffin - Owner & Luthier
Music has always been my passion. As a musician, artist, and entrepreneur, I have been searching for my way in the music industry. I am trained and educated as a recording engineer, however the universe had other plans for me. I worked in sales for much of my life, culminating with a position at Canada’s largest musical instrument retailer. This is where I discovered the thrill and gratification of guitar repair. For years I honed my skills as a technician which led me to refinishing, building my first guitar, and eventually the realization that I wanted to start my own guitar manufacturing company.
I returned to school to complete a degree in business administration all the while continually developing my skills. Using my knowledge in custom guitar building and repair, sustainable woodworking practices, CAD/CAM applications, and business administration (marketing, finance, operations), my goal is to combine my technical expertise in lutherie with my business acumen to craft high-quality, sustainable instruments. I am dedicated to creating instruments that inspire musicians and collectors alike. With a passion for music and a commitment to sustainability, I am always looking for new ways to innovate and improve my skills.
Cultural roots & Sustainability
Many of the early prototypes and future models are crafted from birch wood, most of which was harvested locally from Birken, B.C. Birch was chosen not only because it is a fast-growing, local hardwood, but also for its immense cultural significance. This wood was of great importance to the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, who used its lightweight and waterproof properties to construct canoes, cups, bowls, and to cover shelters. An effort is made to incorporate birch into future guitars whenever possible, however, when it is unavailable, opting for woods local to British Columbia or Canada in general is done to help reduce our footprint.
At Foss Guitars, an effort is made to also utilize woods that are seeking a new life. Upcycling is a massive part of the vision at Foss Guitars and we try to incorporate woods that would have otherwise been tossed and disposed of and instead use them to make special lines of instruments or custom one-offs. We also implore our clients if they have woods they would like to breathe new life into, whether it be from a piece of furniture, family heirloom, or otherwise, to bring them in so we can, together, create something incredibly special.
Eco-friendly finishing
Finishing is where this story began. Through extensive experimentation with many finishes, from highly flammable and toxic nitrocellulose lacquers to various gunstock oils, ultimately, the choice for a more sustainable production path was made. While the use of water-based finishes has become widespread in the last 30 years, the technology has been in development since the 1960s as a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional solvent-based coatings. In response to ongoing health and environmental concerns, Foss Guitars is committed to leading the way with cleaner, more sustainable guitar finishes.