About Unga
About Unga
Who is Unga?
Perry Vasquez of Unga Guitars has honed his luthier skills over the past 25 years. He grew up near Salinas, California, and now resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While building up his brand, Unga Guitars, he attended Roberto Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix and then moved on to work for a decade at Santa Cruz Guitar Company, primarily in the woodshop. He further expanded his luthiery skills by doing many repairs on multiple instruments over the past couple decades.
Unga Guitars showcases the culmination of skills and artistry obtained in individual exploration, schooling, and learning in a production line. As an industry professional over the years, Perry came to the conclusion that “from the nut to the bridge is math, and everything outside of that is art”. The “this is how we do it” mentality (and how that didn’t functionally work), led him to think outside the box dictated by the guitar industry.
All of these experiences inspire Perry to teach luthiery from the fresh point of view of “luthiery as art above all else”. The High Desert Luthiery Invitational is his attempt to change the prevailing paradigm around tradeshows and the guitar industry’s beliefs and attitudes.
What makes an Unga?
Balance first. Ungas have a harmonious design that is pleasing to the eye. Their comfortable composition and lightweight quality lend to ease of playing, especially for the working musician.
One-Off Designs. Whether built for an imagined player or a custom guitar customer, Ungas are made with specific outcomes in mind. What does the player want to see? How does the player want the guitar to feel? What are the tones the player wants to achieve?
No Limits. “If I can’t find it, I make it, or I find somebody that can make it.” Whether inspired by a dream, other builders, nature, or a piece of wood, the artistic vision of Unga Guitars is unlimited.