Ryan T. Welcome
Founder/Head Luthier

Music has always been a passion for Sage Guitars founder and head luthier Ryan Welcome. With a past rooted in the underground Connecticut music scene, he spent years playing and touring as a bassist. Owning numerous instruments over the years, Ryan began to understand the difficulty that lies within the quest for that all so ellusive perfect tone. A decision was made.

Ryan T. Welcome learned the craft of luthiery under the guidance of master builders William Eaton and John Rueter. He spent years honing his knowledge, skills and inspiration working for Hamer Guitars under the watchful eye of Jol Danzig.

Ryan has worked on basses and guitars for the following artists...

Jeff Caxide - Isis
John Cambell - Lamb Of God
Billy Corgan - The Smashing Pumpkins
Tom Dumont - No Doubt
Brad Whitford - Aerosmith
Chester Bennington - Linkin Park
Lawrence Katz - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Craig Ross - Lenny Kravitz
Lyle Workman - Beck, Frank Black
Keb Mo
KK Downing - Judas Priest
Jeff Ament - Pearl Jam
Rick Nielsen - Cheap Trick
Josh Homme - Queens of the Stone Age
Sam Rivers - Limp Bizkit
Peter Frampton
Doug Pinnick - Kings X
Mick Thompson - Slipknot

Ryan Keefe
Luthier

Ryan Keefe's guitar building career began when he took a position working for Ovation instruments. While with the company he worked in the grueling finishing department, sanding and buffing over 25 guitars a day. It was there he met Ryan Welcome who was helping Ovation convert to a new finishing product. "Ryan Keefe is a total workhorse, I remember thinking this guy has serious potential," recalls Welcome. While working together they developed a friendship and started the groundwork for a great team. When Ryan Welcome left Hamer to start Sage Guitars, Keefe expressed interest in coming aboard and within months became Welcome's apprentice, and business partner. "It was a big deal allowing someone to become a partner in the business. I've been developing these basses for over 8 years and had several other offers before, but Ryan Keefe was the only person that I thought wouldn't drive me crazy. He's totally self motivated as well as a pleasure to teach and work with."