dion guitars
EST. 2005 | canada
Acoustic Guitars
dion james | Luthier
“The beauty of the acoustic guitar lies in its essential function. It should inspire use as much as admiration.”
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Guided by a design philosophy that asks “what can be removed?” rather than “what can be added?”, Dion Guitars reveal the elegance of restraint. Every instrument balances technical innovation with an aesthetic clarity that feels inevitable — as if it were grown, not made.
From his small workshop in Edmonton, Canada, Dion produces a very limited number of guitars each year. His instruments continue a lineage of thoughtful innovation in lutherie, refining what time has proven successful while evolving what has not. Each guitar reflects a belief that true beauty lies in function — that an instrument should inspire both admiration and use.
Dion Guitars
demo
Dion No. 4 Cutaway Demo – Cocobolo & Italian Spruce with Carl Miner | Boutique Acoustic Guitar
Experience the Dion No. 4 Cutaway in Cocobolo and Italian Spruce as Carl Miner demonstrates its clarity, balance, and modern responsiveness. With a minimalist aesthetic, OM-inspired lines, and features like a side soundport, EVO frets, and matte neck, this handcrafted instrument highlights Dion James’ refined approach to contemporary acoustic design.
Demo
dion Guitars
Dion No.04 Demo – Brazilian Rosewood & ’70s Sitka Spruce | Dream Guitars
Dream Guitars presents the 2024 Dion No.04, built with Brazilian Rosewood and well-seasoned ’70s Sitka Spruce. Featuring an active hollow-core back, carbon fiber bridge plate, U-brace, elevated fingerboard, and subtle multiscale, this modern acoustic showcases Dion’s innovative approach and exceptional tonal power.
boutique guitar showcase en tour | 2018 - 2023
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![A Dion acoustic guitar with a black soundhole, bridge, and fretboard on a black background, with white text reading 'Boutique Guitar Showcase enTour 2023'.]()
entour 2023
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![A promotional image of an acoustic guitar from Dion Guitars, showing detailed close-ups of the soundhole, fretboard, and bridge, with specifications.]()
entour 2023
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![A dark Dion acoustic guitar with a black pickguard, set against a black background.]()
entour 2022
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![Back view of a Dion acoustic guitar against a black background, with the neck and headstock visible at the top, and the body at the bottom. Text at the bottom reads "Boutique Guitar Showcase enTour 2022."]()
entour 2022
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![Dion acoustic guitars, facing front and back, with specifications listed.]()
entour 2020
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![Full view of a dion acoustic guitar against a black background.]()
entour 2020
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![Close-up of an acoustic Dion guitar with a cream-colored top, wooden sides and back, and a dark bridge, against a black background.]()
entour 2019
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![Image showing a Dion acoustic guitar, the left one facing forward and the right one showing the back view, with specifications.]()
entour 2019
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![Flyer for Dion Guitars on the Boutique Guitar Showcase 2018 European Tour featuring an image of an acoustic guitar.]()
entour 2018
“Clarity comes from knowing what to remove—whether in life or in a guitar. The result should feel inevitable, as if it grew on its own.”
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After discovering guitar making almost by accident, Dion trained under David Freeman at Timeless Instruments in 2004 before moving to Montreal, where he immersed himself in a vibrant community of modern luthiers. These formative years honed not only his technical abilities but also the clarity and minimalism that now define his voice as a maker. Today, from his small one-man workshop in Edmonton, Dion produces a limited number of instruments each year—each one a distillation of thoughtful innovation, proportion, and purpose.
Dion's life outside the shop is equally central to his work. He is a dedicated father to two young boys, whom he is raising with his long-time partner—an unwavering source of support in his creative life. He also volunteers at a large community garden in Edmonton, helping grow and distribute fresh produce to families and local organizations in need. This connection to the land and to service provides essential balance, offering the mental clarity and spaciousness that feed his creative process.
The guitars Dion builds are an extension of this life: quiet, intentional, and deeply considered. Each instrument reflects the belief that beauty emerges not from excess, but from the refinement of essentials.
dion james | Luthier
the story of dion james
biography
In this BIO episode of Life With Strings Attached, Dion James reflects on his journey from rural Saskatchewan to becoming a leading voice in modern acoustic design. He shares the moments, mentors, and philosophies that shaped his minimalist approach, and how family and community continue to ground his creative life.
