Apostol Guitars

Apostol Guitars I am an independent luthier from Romania with over 15 years of professional experience. He is – Kai Hansen, a founding member of Helloween.

During these years, I have customized hundreds of top (Gibson, Fender, ESP) guitars, mostly recreations of James Hetfield’s iconic guitars. For 10 years now, I have been creating my own designs, utilizing premium exotic materials, collaborating with my clients to produce high end, made to measure guitars. In 2015 I built a guitar specifically for James Hetfield which I sent it to the Metclub, wher

e it remained for 3 years, after which, it was returned to me. I did not receive information with regards to whether James knew about this or not. I have clients globally, including a recognized artist who, owns and utilizes two of my guitars.

15/03/2026
Greetings from the workshop!I recently finished this custom guitar built for a client from the United States. It was a p...
15/03/2026

Greetings from the workshop!

I recently finished this custom guitar built for a client from the United States. It was a project that took about four months, from the first ideas to the final instrument.

The guitar is finished with acrylic paint and matte lacquer.

I build guitars entirely to order, each instrument being made according to the client’s wishes and specifications.

Every time I complete a project like this, I feel the same joy I felt when I built my very first guitar.

I hope you like the result!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8EGRzjbwYg
04/03/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8EGRzjbwYg

DISCLAIMER: This is not a paid promotion or a paid review. The guitar was given to me by my friend Augustine because I was curious about the finish. This gui...

Iconic inspired craftsmanship.Defined by precision. Built entirely by hand.Private commissions available.antonioguitars....
01/03/2026

Iconic inspired craftsmanship.
Defined by precision. Built entirely by hand.

Private commissions available.
antonioguitars.ro



When you can’t find what you want, you build it with your own hands.
08/02/2026

When you can’t find what you want, you build it with your own hands.

Some guitars are not born from a drawing, but from an old obsession. From a shape that stayed with you not because it wa...
04/02/2026

Some guitars are not born from a drawing, but from an old obsession. From a shape that stayed with you not because it was famous, but because you once saw it in the hands of the person who inspired you in life. This guitar starts there.
Over time, I’ve learned that when you do things well, not everyone is pleased. Sometimes it’s not about mistakes, but about the discomfort caused by work done thoroughly.
This is my interpretation of an iconic model, filtered through my hands, my experience, and my way of seeing an instrument that needs to stand the test of time.
I worked on this guitar for a long time without talking about it. Every detail was chosen carefully, step by step, as the instrument slowly took shape. Some things stayed, others disappeared along the way, as happens when you build without haste and without the need to prove anything.
It is a guitar made in my own way, with respect for the source that set everything in motion, but without the intention of reproducing it.
I hope that if the man who still brings joy to people on stage with this shape ever sees these images, he will understand that this is not about copying, but about an influence that carried on, in a way I never anticipated myself.

Time to begin.
03/02/2026

Time to begin.

Greetings,I'm happy to present my latest creation: a guitar whose mystical beauty simply cannot be captured in photos.Th...
07/08/2025

Greetings,
I'm happy to present my latest creation: a guitar whose mystical beauty simply cannot be captured in photos.
The inspiration for this instrument came to me in a dream connected to Mayan culture. The complexity of this guitar pushed my entire experience from over 15 years of lutherie to its limits.
The inlays are made from natural shell. The body is carved from a single piece of Honduran mahogany, and the neck is also made of Honduran mahogany. For the fretboard, I used a piece of Cocobolo wood that I’ve had in the workshop for over 12 years. The top is quilted maple, and the electronics cover is made of Bubinga wood.
The finishing process was particularly challenging: the top and headstock veneer were lacquered with acrylic, while the rest of the guitar was treated with natural oil and wax.
The side dots are phosphorescent, offering increased visibility. The frets are medium jumbo, made of stainless steel. It’s equipped with EMG 81/60 pickups, Sperzel locking tuners, and Gotoh hardware. The guitar weighs just 3.8 kg and is very well balanced.
Its sound is hard to put into words, every note rings clear and gives a distinct 3D-like depth.

Warm regards,
Augustin
https://antonioguitars.ro
https://instagram.com/Antonioguitars/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/acustomguitars

Jim Schwilk on the custom guitar I built for himJim Schwilk, a well-known guitar collector with a deep passion for ESP a...
30/05/2025

Jim Schwilk on the custom guitar I built for him

Jim Schwilk, a well-known guitar collector with a deep passion for ESP and Gibson instruments, recently received a custom-made guitar I had the pleasure of building under the Antonio Guitars name. In the video below, Jim shares his thoughts on the craftsmanship, tonal versatility, and attention to detail that went into this unique instrument. He also talks about our collaboration throughout the process. I’m truly grateful for his trust and kind words.



Episode 01 - A deep dive into the Antonio Customs Guitars EET F*K Replica made famous by James Hetfield of Metallica.Guitar specs:Honduran Mahogany One Piece...

Greetings, fellow Metallica fans!Like many of you, I am a fan of Metallica and an admirer of the guitars played by James...
02/04/2025

Greetings, fellow Metallica fans!

Like many of you, I am a fan of Metallica and an admirer of the guitars played by James Hetfield. Out of this passion, I decided to build a replica as close as possible to the famous EET F*K Large Headstock.
Out of respect for the original model, I did not want to make an identical guitar, but I stayed true to most of the details.

Specifications:

Body: Honduras mahogany, carved from a single piece.
Neck: African mahogany, two pieces, reinforced with carbon rods.
Fingerboard: Honduras rosewood.
Nut: Bone.
Hardware: Sperzel locking tuners, Gotoh bridge and stoptail piece.
Electronics: EMG 81/60, 3-way Switchcraft toggle, Pure Tone long input jack.

I hope the photos do it justice, even though they cannot fully capture the beauty of this guitar.

Long live Metallica!

Greetings, Antonio Guitar Owners!I’ve prepared a special surprise for you! I’m offering a FREE set of stickers like the ...
17/03/2025

Greetings, Antonio Guitar Owners!

I’ve prepared a special surprise for you! I’m offering a FREE set of stickers like the ones in the photo, with just one request: leave an honest review about your experience with me and your Antonio guitar. Don’t forget to include at least one photo of your guitar!

Want even more? If you record a video review on YouTube, showcasing the guitar and sharing your thoughts, I’ll send you a free exclusive keychain like the ones in the pictures, plus a 5% discount on your next order!

Important: These stickers are given exclusively as a gift and are not available for purchase.

Over the years, many people have received an Antonio guitar and promised to leave honest feedback. Now is the perfect time to keep that promise! Through this small gesture, I want to remind them and thank them with a gift for taking the time to share their experience.

https://www.instagram.com/Antonioguitars/

I am proud and deeply delighted that a renowned artist like you, Kai Hansen, recognizes and appreciates the quality of m...
10/12/2024

I am proud and deeply delighted that a renowned artist like you, Kai Hansen, recognizes and appreciates the quality of my work!
Thank you! 🤘🍻

Address

Bucharest

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