About Loucin Guitars

Loucin Guitars (pronounced “Lou-Seen”) began the way many iconic products have – from pure passion. Founder Garren Dakessian began building guitars at the age of 15 after becoming fascinated with the book “Guitars – From the Renaissance to Rock”. He used to borrow it regularly from the local library and study it until his parents finally surprised him with his own copy for Christmas. That book, which he still refers to today, unlocked the artistic drive and desire to learn and perfect the craft of guitar making. Since that time, Loucin Guitars have been handcrafted in Oakville, Ontario. The name Loucin is a tribute to his late mother who inspired and encouraged him to follow his passion. 

“WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IS THAT IT TAKES A REALLY COOL GUY TO MAKE A REALLY COOL GUITAR – GARREN NAILS IT ON BOTH COUNTS.”

Kevin Ryan, Luthier

At age 16, Garren arranged a meeting with Grant MacNeill, owner of the legendary Twelfth Fret Guitar Shop in Toronto. That meeting evolved into an entire afternoon of discussion surrounding guitar construction and craftsmanship. 

It was Grant who gave Garren the confidence to build his first guitar in his grade 10 wood shop class with a little help from Mr. MacMillan, his teacher at White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville. To learn the craft further, Garren turned to world renowned luthier Kevin Ryan to expand his knowledge and focus on acoustic guitars.

      “The best way to learn any art is to study with the masters”

Garren receives an incredible sense of satisfaction from taking raw pieces of wood and transforming them into one-of-a-kind instruments each with their own unique tonal characteristics. Loucin Guitars are hand-crafted from the finest woods including Mahogany, Ebony, Claro Walnut, Curly and Quilted Maples, Ziricote, East Indian Rosewood, Western Red Cedar and Sitka Spruce, among others. Our exclusive “sound port” on the upper bout acts as your own personal monitor allowing for rich, even tones and incredible sustain that our perfectly intonated guitars produce.

Garren shares his passion with the community by offering aspiring guitar makers the opportunity to learn the craft at his workshop in Oakville, Ontario. To learn more, visit our “Courses” page.

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