We’re pleased to share that Froggy Bottom Guitars will remain in business building the best instruments our hands, minds, and hearts are capable of producing. Michael Millard, Andy Mueller, Eric Goodenough, Mark Burds, John Gospodarek and Mike Hauser are fully committed to going forward—together. We’re also pleased that Michael will retain his emeritus status here at Froggy Bottom Guitars. He’s eager to spend his time with family, fly fishing, and maybe polishing up a few of those old Reverend Gary Davis tunes!
Our hearts are full and we’re thankful beyond words to all who reached out in earnest amidst our transition. We look forward to sharing the fruits of our labor soon, including some pivotal new members of our family. Some may ask “Will the guitars remain the same?” The short answer is no… we’re striving to make them better, because that has always been the goal with our work. There’s a common notion in the culture of “small shop” guitar-making that lays the success of the people at the feet of an individual. These instruments require a team and every member has a critical role.
From the very beginning, Michael has run a remarkably transparent shop; no subject off limits, too proprietary, or elusive to explore. This approach has encouraged a close knit team with well over a century of combined experience building and voicing these instruments at Michael’s level. For Froggy Bottom Guitars, the “secret” of our life’s work is simple: it’s the collaborative process between us woodworkers and musicians like you who inspire us to keep our chisels sharp and our hearts and minds open. We enter this next chapter with these truths as our foundation …and the best is yet to come!
The sun is rising and we’ve got work to do. Thanks to all for your continuing support and belief in us; we’re looking forward to being with you for a long time.
(Photograph of Vermont sunrise taken by Ken Canning https://www.kencanning.net/)
Michael's Final Dozen
Michael is in the process of building a final dozen guitars of the finest woods. Six of these are in progress, the other six may be custom orders – your choice from 9 models and some amazing woods.
Froggy Bottom Cares 2024-25
Raffle - A Resounding Success!
This raffle is officially closed. Thanks to all for your support of this Froggy Bottom Cares Fall Campaign. Shobu Aikido Vermont will thrive thanks to your kindness. Congrats to a delightful gentleman in Tennessee for the win!
Call us: (802) 565-2371
If you can, come see us at the Artisan Guitar Show in Harrisburg, PA April 19-1, 2024.
See ArtisanGuitarShow.com for details.
We make guitars one at a time.
Over the course of fifty-five years of instrument building handmade custom guitars here at Froggy Bottom Guitars, our building methodology has turned on a simple idea: we make one guitar at a time.
One guitar, one player. It’s personal.
We go beyond ensuring that each guitar has been built to specs. In addition to the details of each guitar’s design, we know who the guitar is for; what it is designed to do; and how the details of its construction play into the overall goals of the client for the instrument itself. We are not a factory; we are not factory workers. We are intimately involved with every instrument we build.
At Froggy Bottom, we have not lusted to increase our guitar output year after year. Our connection to each instrument and player would suffer. Instead, we strive to get each instrument to exceed the hopes and expectations of its owner, to open new territory for them and to satisfy and expand their musical lives.
Every guitar is a custom guitar.
We don’t promote our instruments by the stars who play them. We see no use in focusing your attention on the guitar someone else is playing. Our goal is to build a guitar for you.
That is why we do what we do, the way we do it.
Explore the wide range of guitar models offered.
Meet Glenn Carson,
our Mother of Pearl engraver
August 2020: Glenn’s son put together this 20 minute video about his father.
Glenn has been working with Froggy Bottom Guitars since the 40th anniversary series — ten years ago!