About XGuitars

XGuitars exists for one reason: to give classical guitarists the buying experience they deserve—expert guidance, instruments I've personally inspected and set up, and the confidence that comes from working with someone who shares your passion for this music.

I started XGuitars in 2002 because I couldn't find the kind of guitar shop I wanted as a player—one that specialized in classical instruments, offered real expertise, and treated every customer like a fellow musician rather than a transaction.

More than two decades later, that's still what drives this business. If it's not a quality instrument—one I'm genuinely confident about—I simply won't sell it.

— Geoff Ferdón, XGuitars

Background

My path to XGuitars wasn't direct. I graduated from Clemson University with an engineering degree in 1994, but after a few years in that world, I realized it wasn't where I belonged. Music was. So I went back to school and earned a degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the University of South Carolina School of Music in 2003, studying under Christopher Berg.

After graduating, I moved to Spain for a year to study flamenco with Fabrizzio Uccelli and Rafael Santiago Habichuela. Living in Spain—surrounded by the tradition of Spanish guitar making, visiting workshops, playing instruments straight from the luthier's bench—transformed my understanding of what a great guitar could be. It was during that year that XGuitars took shape in my mind.

I wanted to bring that experience home: the quality, the craftsmanship, the personal connection between player and instrument that I'd found in Spain.

XGuitars.com launched with just four Spanish-made guitars. I ran the business while performing and teaching classical guitar around South Carolina. Then in 2006, Manufacturas Alhambra—one of Spain's most respected guitar makers—hired me to establish their U.S. subsidiary. I spent six years as Vice President of Alhambra USA, working directly with the factory in Muro de Alcoy, learning the technical details of guitar construction, setup, and quality control from the inside.

That experience was invaluable. I learned what separates a good guitar from a great one—not just in materials or craftsmanship, but in the dozens of small decisions that affect how an instrument plays and sounds. When I left Alhambra USA in 2012 to focus on XGuitars full-time, I brought that knowledge with me.

What Makes XGuitars Different

When you buy a guitar from XGuitars, you're not getting a box from a warehouse. Every instrument passes through my hands before it ships to you.

Beyond the technical details, what I really offer is guidance. Choosing a classical guitar—especially in the $1,000 to $7,000 range where quality varies dramatically—can be overwhelming. I'm happy to talk through your options, answer questions, and help you find the right instrument for your playing style and budget. That's not a sales pitch (I don't consider myself a salesman); it's what I believe everyone searching for a guitar should have access to.