Bill Asher Guitars

Bill Asher, founder, owner and master builder behindAsher Guitars & Lap Steels is also the head honcho and master luthier of the renowned custom shop Guitar Traditions in Los Angeles.  Asher has a diverse and extensive 22-year career in the guitar business and has worked with an impressive list of clients including Grammy Award winners and Billboard Chart topping musicians.

Asher began his career in 1982 as an apprentice at a Los Angeles guitar making and repair shop run by Jeff Lunsford.  In 1985 he opened his own retail shop providing the highest quality guitar work built on his natural gift as a craftsman, and soon became highly valued by his clients for his creative solutions and excellent customer service.  After selling his store in 1987, he continued to broaden his knowledge of guitar repair and the business in general by working with highly respected guitar makers such as Rick Turner and Mark Lacey.  He played an integral part in managing and leading their shops in vintage restoration and repair, guitar sales and marketing, as well as custom design and the creation of fine instruments.

Through the years, Asher has established a huge list of loyal clientele including over 1000 musicians, vintage dealers and collectors.

In 1998, Asher collaborated with rock star Ben Harper  to create the Asher Slide Guitar: Limited Edition Ben Harper Model, which is the predecessor to the Asher Electro Hawaiian® Lap Steel.  Ben Harper, who has given the lap steel guitar a new voice in music history, along with the classic Hawaiian lap steels made by Herman Weissenborn in the late 20's, ignited Asher's love for designing and building a masterfully crafted modern-day lap steel.  Not compromising on style or quality, Asher set out and created a lap steel offering more sustain, greater tonal variation and pickup options much like modern electric guitars.

In December 1999, the Asher Slide Guitar, in the hands of Ben Harper, appeared on the cover of Guitar Player Magazine.  Needless to say, Asher's lap steels have become widely popular.  In 2003, Asher became one of the featured contemporary steel guitar makers in the first comprehensive book about lap-style guitars titled, "Lap Steel Guitar," written by musician and journalist Andy Volk.

Today, Asher is continually being sought after by musicians, collectors and dealers-alike for his impeccable and creative work.