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Specs and features of musical instruments only rack the brains of concerned players and enthusiasts alike. It’s not normal for mere fans to ponder the ins and outs of a band’s equipment unless you’re a designated groupie, and even when that’s the case, the skill of a musician determines his/her worthiness despite the flashy tools they tow around. But since VEOBlog halfheartedly focuses around content of the melodic variety, Pete Hilton introduces a woody, backwood aspect to the instruments that make music possible.

Though not completely opposed to faux riffs and synthesized chords, Hilton devotes long days and after-hour nights towards customizing instruments in his NY quarters. His life has centered around music since his youth, but after exhausting faulty, manufactured pieces and straying from the path of permanent ink artist, Hilton honed his woodworking abilities to create a personal line of stringed pieces aptly named Hilton Guitars.

Veoba talked to Hilton about his experiences as a melodic craftsman, his lifelong influence and current co-worker, Carl Thompson, as well as the fate of musical instruments given the techno-innovative era we live in. Check out the interview below and jump down for some classy photos of Hilton’s handmade gear.

A lot of your inspiration comes from Carl Thompson. What about his music or instruments appeal to you?

I don’t even know where to start on that one… He came from a family of music and grew up playing music from a whole other time when music was really music. It was more real, more natural. It’s not like it is today…. I think a lot of his stories paint a bigger picture from back then to what it is now. It’s definitely inspiring to be around a person that shares all of that with you. We talk about music and how it’s changed from then till now and unfortunately, the musical instrument is probably going to become extinct in the years to come.

You think so? Like an endangered species?

I mean, in the years to come, thanks to technology. It’s making things easier to make without learning. You don’t really have to have any kind of knowledge or theory. Making music can be done by the push of a button, it’s almost like technology is teaching people not to have any patience. People and kids are growing up now on instant gratification and I’m hoping things will change, but it seems like it’s kind of a landslide with everything.

How is working with Carl?

It’s great. I’ve been there about 7 years now and it’s always interesting. There’s always a ton of work to do. I’ve heard stories, the same stories maybe a million times and it’s great. I met him 10 years ago, started working with him full time a couple years after, and about 4 years ago he told me if I wanted to start making extra money to go on my own and build stuff on the side.

So Hilton Guitars is this side project?

Yeah. All the stuff you see on the site is late hours. I get home from work, take the dog out for a walk and go back to doing my own work. I kinda refuse to rent out a shop space because i really don’t need to yet and i’m not at that point where i have to. I’ve got a full shop back home in Michigan where i go home a couple times a year for a few weeks and that’s where I’ll start building 2 or 3 instruments at a time. I do all the heavy work back home and then bring everything back to New York and basically do all the finish work out of my apartment, it get’s a bit crazy.

Do you model your guitars/basses off any particular brand or style?

There’s a certain aesthetic that I go by, one that i’ve been taught, which are beyond the looks of it. The math of the instrument and balance are the key things that make an instrument. First and foremost, they are made to be played and made to be very comfortable instruments to play. But I don’t model it off anything, it’s my own shape and design. Obviously as far as looks go, I’ve tried not to make it look like anything else in a way where people definitely know it’s one of my mine.

Is there an instrument or project you’re most proud of?

About a year ago, this guy in Russia emailed me wanting to order an instrument. I didn’t think he was serious at first being on the other side of the globe, but we talked back and forth for a couple months and we decided on what he wanted to get. Normally in the custom world people will give guidelines to stay in, but he wanted me to have fun with it and being such a nice guy and really easy to work with it, I’d say it became one of my favorite instruments.

Is he happy with it too?

He is happy with it. It took awhile for him to get it though… He didn’t want me to send due to customs there. He lives in Siberia and said he may or may not get it. With that in mind, a friend of his agreed to help out. He was going to be in LA around thanksgiving at the same time I was going to be there. So we met, did the hand off and 7 months later he got it. I think at a certain point it becomes more than just the instrument, it becomes a story.

Any specific challenges with wood working and building your instruments?

Having a legit shop. I’ve had so many crazy challenges as far as woodworking and figuring out things. To be honest, nothing surprises me anymore. The only thing that’s a challenge is doing stuff out of my apartment. Certain steps create a pretty big mess. So as far as challenges, that would be it as of now. But so far every piece I’ve built, I’ve sold, thanks to Carl and I hope that continues.