Driftwood

Driftwood Acoustic Guitars — Florida's Gulf Coast, Poured Into Wood

Chris Alvarado grew up on the Emerald Coast of Florida's Scenic Highway 30A, surrounded by his father's music and the kind of natural beauty that takes years of absence to fully appreciate. When an Air Force colleague showed him a homemade electric guitar one weekend, everything changed. He built his first acoustic guitar not long after, concedes it was terrible, and built a much better one. By the time he was playing live gigs along the coast, people were noticing the instruments before they noticed the music. Within a few years he had a three-year waitlist. He has had one ever since.

Alvarado founded Driftwood Guitars in 2007 and in 2021 brought on Matt Miller, a longtime musical colleague and mechanical engineer, to help build and to produce the YouTube content that has since grown into one of the most respected guitar-building channels on the internet. Together they operate out of Freeport, Florida, building a small number of fully custom instruments each year and spending four to six months on every acoustic guitar they make.

Nature as a Guide

The visual language of a Driftwood guitar comes directly from the landscape where it was built. Wild grain patterns in the wood suggest imagery. The beach, the cypress trees, the Gulf light all find their way into the inlay work, binding choices, and finish details that make each instrument as distinct as a fingerprint. Chris describes letting the guitar lead him creatively, following the character of the specific piece of wood he is working with rather than imposing a predetermined design on it. The result is an instrument that looks and sounds unlike any other, because it was built that way on purpose.

The Models

Grand Session — The largest and most powerful model in the Driftwood lineup, built for players who want a guitar that fills a room and commands attention. A double carbon fiber reinforced neck, Brazilian rosewood bridge, Waverly tuning machines, and Driftwood's signature arm bevel design make this an ergonomic as well as a tonally exceptional instrument. Standard with a custom Ameritage hardshell case.

Session — Slightly smaller in body dimensions and shallower in depth than the Grand Session, the Session prioritizes tonal balance and string-to-string separation above all. A studio-first design that is equally comfortable in the hands of a fingerstyle player and one of the most ergonomic guitars in the custom acoustic market. Brazilian rosewood bridge, Waverly tuners, and double carbon fiber reinforced neck are standard.

Both models are built entirely to the specifications of the individual player, with tonewood combinations, inlay themes, and finish details determined through a collaborative process that Chris has described as his favorite part of the entire build.

A Waitlist Worth Joining

The players who have waited for a Driftwood guitar have included artists whose names would be recognized in any guitar shop in the country. Getting on the list now means receiving an instrument in the future that was built specifically for you, by two people who care deeply about the outcome. Browse our available Driftwood inventory, and reach out to discuss a commission.