By Gayaneh Sargsyan

Tirayr Mkhitaryan is a rock musician living in Armenia’s third largest city – Vanadzor.

He also makes guitars, and word has spread on Facebook.

The first guitar Tirayr made, for himself, was a lengthy process fraught with difficulties. He had to obtain the raw materials and instructions on crafting a guitar from scratch.

Tirayr decided to try his hand at making a guitar from scratch because the one he prefers to play wasn’t available in Armenia.

“There were a variety of details and problems getting information. Most instructions on the internet are in English. There was really no one I could turn to for help,” Tirayr says.

It took the young rock guitarist six months to make that first guitar. Throughout, family members advised Tirayr to give up and stop torturing himself. He forged on.

“Sure, it was tough. You get tired and tell yourself, enough is enough. At those times, you must step back and take a break of a few days,” says Tirayr.

Tirayr tested out that first guitar at concerts and gave it to friends to try out. They soon started to order guitars for themselves.

Mr. Mkhitaryan uses wood from Armenia and overseas.

“My guitar is made from maple and ash. I’m now making my fifth guitar. It’s fashioned from apricot tree wood.”

Tirayr says the price of custom-made guitars fluctuates according to the wood used. “There are exotic woods not found in Armenia. By the time such woods reach Armenia their prices go up drastically.”

Naturally, the wood to be used is up to the person placing an order. Tirayr says that the acoustics of a guitar depends on the wood used and its dryness.

The guitar maker is drafting a business plan that takes into account the fact that Armenian wood must dry from 5-10 years.

While handmade guitars cost more than factory made instruments, Tirayr is certain that discriminating musicians will pay the extra cost.

“Yes, they’re more expensive, but the quality is higher.  You put your heart and soul into the instrument. Clients know the guitar has been especially made for them,” Tirayr says, adding that the craft can turn a profit.

He’s preparing to ramp up production, convinced that the demand in Armenia exists.