Julien Sublet Guitars

Julien Sublet works in Quebec City, where two traditions meet in his bench: the Swiss heritage of fine cabinetmaking he was raised in, and the North American art of steel-string lutherie he came to Canada to study at the National Luthiery School. He opened his own shop in 2017, and builds custom, one-at-a-time instruments in close collaboration with the player — from the design concept through the choice of woods. What sets a Sublet apart on sight is its aesthetic: he contrasts the clean lines and geometry of Art Deco against the guitar's organic curves, a signature look that runs from the headstock through the rosette and inlays. The voice is built with the same deliberateness as the look. Sublet favors premium tonewoods and pays particular attention to ergonomics and tone, and his Grand Auditorium — which he describes as the perfect mix between a dreadnought and an OM — has become the model that introduces most players to his work, prized for versatility across fingerstyle and flatpick. Reviewers of his Grand Auditoriums (in pairings like Engelmann spruce with flamed maple) single out a warm, clear voice with a fast attack that records beautifully. His instruments turn up at top boutique dealers including Carter Vintage and Brickhouse.