Marty MacMillan
Founder & Master Luthier of MacMillan Guitars
Marty MacMillan’s passion for guitars began at the age of ten and has grown into a lifelong pursuit of exceptional instruments, craftsmanship, and tone,
In fifth grade, Marty began taking guitar lessons at The Music Man in Brighton, Michigan. He was instantly hooked, and before long, every spare moment was devoted to practicing and learning everything he could about the instrument. At just fifteen years old, his dedication caught the attention of Mike Grass, the store’s owner, who offered Marty an entry-level position at the shop.
Only a few weeks later, a catastrophic fire devastated The Music Man, leaving the store in ruins. In the months that followed, the staff worked together to salvage, clean, and repair as many instruments as possible from the wreckage. What began as an effort to recover from a tragedy became a defining moment in Marty’s life. His fascination with playing guitar soon evolved into an equally powerful obsession with repairing and restoring them.
Over the next several years, Marty advanced to store manager while continuing to work alongside Mike Grass on guitar repairs. After graduating high school, he pursued formal training at the renowned Galloup School of Lutherie before entering the guitar manufacturing industry. Over the following seven years, he gained experience across multiple areas of production, refining his skills and developing a deeper understanding of what separates a good instrument from an exceptional one.
In 2011, Marty took the next step in his journey and founded MacMillan Guitars, turning years of hands-on experience, technical knowledge, and musical passion into his own independent guitar brand. After spending a decade operating in Nashville, Tennessee, he relocated the company’s headquarters to Baltimore, Maryland, bringing his vision to a new community rich in art, music, and craftsmanship.
Today, Marty has partnered with his lifelong friend and fellow luthier, Jeff Brown of J Brown Guitars, to establish a state-of-the-art guitar-building and repair facility in Baltimore’s vibrant Hampden neighborhood. Together, they have created a destination for musicians who appreciate exceptional instruments, expert workmanship, and a personal approach to the craft.
MacMillan Guitars has evolved beyond custom instrument building to offer a comprehensive experience for discerning players. Alongside handcrafted MacMillan instruments and professional guitar repair, the showroom features a carefully curated selection of professional-grade acoustic and electric guitars from other boutique builders, as well as exceptional used instruments from established high-end brands.
Every guitar offered in the showroom must meet Marty’s exacting standards and earn his personal stamp of approval. Whether it is a custom-built instrument, a meticulously serviced guitar, or a carefully selected piece from another respected maker, the guiding principle remains the same: quality comes first.
An Invitation to Visit
The MacMillan Guitars showroom is more than a place to shop for guitars. It is an opportunity to experience exceptional instruments firsthand, talk shop with experienced luthiers, explore the details of fine craftsmanship, and discover a guitar that truly speaks to you.
Visits are available by appointment, allowing Marty to offer a more personal experience, answer questions, demonstrate instruments, and provide a tour of the facility.
We invite you to schedule a visit, explore our collection, and experience the difference that passion, craftsmanship, and a lifetime dedicated to guitars can make.
— Marty MacMillan
Founder & Master Luthier, MacMillan Guitars