From Fender Custom Shop to His Own Boutique Brand: The Master Builder Behind Guitars for Mk.gee and Buddy Guy
May 24, 2026, 9 a.m.
The boutique guitar world has a compelling new name to watch. Revered luthier Levi Perry, formerly of the Fender Custom Shop, has officially stepped away from the iconic company to launch his own guitar brand — Gavilan Guitars. And the debut model is already turning heads among players, collectors, and boutique enthusiasts alike.
With nearly 20 years of experience as a Master Builder, Perry has crafted instruments for major artists including Mk.gee, Buddy Guy, and Matty Healy. Now, after relocating to New Mexico, he’s beginning a fresh chapter focused on building instruments that blend personal storytelling, vintage inspiration, and modern creativity.
According to Casino Guitars, Perry joined Fender immediately after high school and became the company’s youngest-ever Master Builder just six years later after successfully completing the elite apprenticeship program.
Speaking about the launch of his new company, Perry describes the project as deeply personal:
“Gavilan Guitars feels like a full circle moment for me. It brings together so many experiences and memories that shaped who I am. It’s where my childhood adventures meet my career. It’s far more than just a company name — it represents my home and my family.”
The word “Gavilan” translates from Spanish as “hawk,” but it also carries another layer of meaning: it was the name of Perry’s childhood home in California, giving the brand a strong emotional connection to his roots.
The company’s first release is the Miramonte — a visually striking offset-style guitar featuring tasteful relic work and a boutique aesthetic that feels both timeless and fresh. The instrument reflects Perry’s own contrasting influences and artistic identity.
“This guitar matters to me because it contains those contradictions that I think reflect my personality,” Perry explains.
“In many ways I’m an old soul. I grew up pretending to be a cowboy and watching old black-and-white movies. But I’m also a ’90s kid who loved skate videos and grunge music. So the guitar carries something familiar and vintage-inspired, while also feeling original and modern.”
He adds that none of this was forced as part of a marketing concept.
“I wanted that feeling to happen naturally. I hope every instrument carries that same sense of childhood adventure.”
To support the launch, Gavilan Guitars has already established a nine-store dealer network that includes major names such as Casino Guitars, Chicago Music Exchange, and Andertons, giving the company visibility across both North America and Europe from day one.
Perry now joins a growing list of respected builders who have departed the Fender Custom Shop to pursue independent ventures. John Cruz previously moved to Iconic Guitars, where he and Josh de la Victoria have been pushing classic Strat-style designs into futuristic territory. Meanwhile, Carlos Lopez launched Castedosa Guitars in 2022.
For Perry, the debut of Gavilan Guitars marks the beginning of an exciting new era. And judging by the early response to the relic’d P-90-equipped Miramonte, the boutique guitar market may have just gained one of its most promising new names.
