The Present Day Bay State Guitar

Chief Luthier & Guitar Designer

A little over a hundred years after the death of Bay State's founder, John C. Haynes (see history), Sylvan Wells moved to the bay state of Massachusetts. Because of his intense interest in instruments made around the turn of the last century, and knowing the history of one of the earliest premier brands of acoustic instruments made in Massachusetts, he decided to resurrect the quality and traditions of the once proud mark. Today Bay State instruments are manufactured in the old ways - each one at a time, for those who appreciate the quality, tone and playability of the instruments of that era.

Sylvan has been building musical instruments since 1977. For a thorough viewing of all of Sylvan's extremely diverse instrument work see www.wellsguitars.com.

He has been an active member of the Guild of American Luthiers since 1977 and an active member of the Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans since 1989. He served on the Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans Board of Directors from 2000-2004 and served as Membership Chairman and Treasurer 2003-2004. He has been published in Guitarmaker (Nos. 17, 29, 41, 42, 45, and 49), the official publication of the Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans. His article on String Spacing for Guitars was published by the Guild of American Luthiers way back in 1978. In addition, he has taught and participated as a panelist in discussions on various guitar subjects at Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans' Symposiums in 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2003.

When he first decided to try to make a guitar there was literally no help and no supplies available. It was largely trial and error but, over time, the instruments got better and better. Today his guitars are known throughout the music business for their extraordinary playabilty and innovative design. He has been building instruments for over 33 years and has completed over 350 acoustic guitars to date.

Creative Director

Rich Lipscher is the Creative Director of Bay State Guitars. He is responsible for the bridge designs and pearl inlay patterns. Hand drawings or very rough sketches are sent to Rich in Baltimore who translates the very rough drawings into computer files. These files generate tool paths and instruct a wood router to cut, very precisely in wood and pearl, the original hand drawings.

Rich is starting his 29th year of teaching art and design, the last twenty four spent at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore, Maryland. He is currently the co-chair of the Animation Department and teaches 3D computer animation and 3D digital prototyping. 

His initial training was in ceramics and sculpture at Penn State University.  This is his last year of teaching intending in the next year to further his artistic talents as an integral part of the Bay State team.

Quality Control and Shop Foreman

Rick Celia has been with Bay State since its' beginning in 2008. Over the past two years Rick has learned all facets of the Bay State construction process. He is presently in charge of quality control, fretting and is the shop foreman.

Sylvan personally created, and continues to maintain this web site from the Boston area with his 24" Apple iMac via his high speed internet connect. This website originally went online in March, 2008.

Back to "About Us"