Meet Jason

I have been involved in woodworking in some fashion, since before I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are of pounding random nails and screws into an old stump; in what my father referred to as, ‘hammer practice’; while he loaded materials and machinery into his work-truck. Growing up in a small village in rural South Jersey, I spent quite a bit of time underfoot in the workshop or on the job site, playing in piles of sawdust or making off with my father’s tools. I hadn’t known it at the time, but that was where an early understanding; and indeed love; for the practice of designing and building physical things, began to develop.  I learned a lot working for my father’s general contracting business up through high school, college, and beyond…not the least of which were a sense of hard-work, determination and a commitment to uncompromising quality in the job being performed. The near constant exposure to new processes and methods of construction, the experience of working with different materials in a multitude of surroundings, and the understanding of geometry and physical form that comes with watching a structure take shape in an empty space all informed my young mind; and bred an affinity that has stayed with me, throughout life.

Though the informal training started very young, playtime in my father’s workshop quickly became an apprenticeship in the family business. Sweeping up and carting lumber turned into milling materials and filling cut-lists.  I learned to turn newel posts on the lathe, cut a mortise and tenon, and to lay out framing from plans. Working crew on the job site taught me the importance of efficiency and how to get the job done; but also, that Safety makes sure everyone gets back to work tomorrow. High school brought mechanical drawing and drafting classes, sharpening my understanding of design and perspective; germinating a recognition of the relationship between form and function. Along the way, a developing interest in music and history led me, after high school, to major in Anthropology at The University of Delaware (thinking I’d be Indiana Jones); during which, and after; I began the exploration of a decades-long career in the music industry…(and also, bartending).  

Learning to play guitar, write and record music; producing and releasing multiple albums alongside a life of touring and playing shows led me around the country; meeting countless, incredibly talented people and finally settling in Los Angeles, for many years. Being a part of outstanding performances and experiencing top-shelf stage production there, and in so many other places, brought a connection to the craft that began to resonate with my ties to design and woodwork; edging me ever further along in my interest in the instruments, themselves. This interest finally culminated in a chance to head to Michigan and attend The Galloup School of Lutherie and Guitar Repair, in 2013.

Lutherie school reignited my passion for woodworking; and the experience of learning to build and repair stringed instruments was one that will remain very important to me, for the rest of my life. I had continued to dabble in building furniture and small, custom fabrication jobs on the side and along the way; but the intensive program at Galloup was one that pulled many disparate threads together into a cord that bound me to a purpose in woodworking. It was a time that found me eager to waken long-dormant skills and hone new ones; a place that helped discipline my interests and practice the patience needed to reach the goal of crafting fine, well-playing musical instruments.  It was the craft that helped to define an ethos in work for me, and gave me a solid foundation as a Journeyman Luthier, certified in Guitar Building and Repair. Because of all that, there’s a little town in Michigan that now holds a big piece of my heart; I will be forever grateful for the time spent, and the people met, there.

 Upon finishing the program at Galloup, I returned home to Long Beach, CA; where I immediately began J. E. Bramlett Woodworking, and started taking clients for guitar repairs and setups; as well as stepping back into the custom furniture and built-in realm. What started out as general tech-work and minor repairs on a few guitars quickly became full-service shop; performing repairs and restorations on all sorts of stringed, fretted instruments for a discerning, private clientele in the LA entertainment industry. Expanding my knowledge base and experience in Lutherie led to requests for relic-jobs and modification services; as well as private mentoring and guidance, overseeing student kit and scratch acoustic guitar builds. Research into techniques used in restoration and preservation practices provided opportunities to perform work on valuable vintage instruments and restore family heirlooms to fine playability. The occasional antique furniture restoration or repair on a high-value, mid-century piece keep me on my toes in the furniture world; while calls for built-in, craftsman style bookcases or breakfast-nook banquettes keep coming, so I continually get the opportunity to further explore other passions in cabinetry and fine joinery. As most of my work comes from referred clientele, it affords the ability to take larger commissioned work as fitting schedule and desire, keeping the projects I take on both interesting and challenging, continuing to fuel my passion for woodwork, as well as expanding the boundaries of my skillset, knowledge, and experience.

In 2018, my family and I moved to Reno, Nevada; where I continue in all pursuits,  providing the Greater Truckee Meadows Area and Eastern Sierra Communities of CA with Lutherie Services and Custom Woodworking Services, including:

- Complete Stringed-Instrument Setup, Maintenance and Repair.

- Custom Instrument Modifications, Upgrade Services, and Electronic Repairs.

- Commissioned Custom Instruments. 

- Custom Furniture, Designed and Built. 

- Antique Furniture Repairs and Restorations.

- Custom Designed Home/Commercial Furniture Built-In Units.

Thank You for visiting us at J. E. Bramlett Woodworking!