Vance Peters started wood-working 34 years ago in Bucksport, Maine, a            small bay-town near where Admiral Peary’s Artic expedition vessel was           crafted. Over the years Vance has specialized in custom commissioned          furniture and cabinet pieces, honing his wood artistry skills. In addition,         under the tutelage of his father, Vance learned the fine art of lacquer finishing       in his family-owned antique restoration business.

  Some of Vance’s notable projects include: the design and construction of a salmon watershed exhibit at Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery, winning him a Regional Interpretation Award; an interactive children’s display (Turtle Alley) at the Bangor, Maine Discovery Museum; a South Pacific diorama, housing a 1400 gallon shark display centered amidst traditional Hawaiian décor (www.vancestropicalfish.com).

Several years ago, during a summer visit to the Hawaiian Islands, Vance fell in love with slack-key guitar and the luxurious Koa wood often used in their construction. Inspired, Vance decided to learn the Ki ho’alu musical style, and set off to build his own Koa acoustic guitars.

            Soon after, while attending the American Folk Festival in Bangor, Maine,            Vance had a chance meeting with promoter/performer Patrick Landeza and           legendary slack-key artist Cyril Pahinui. Landeza played his guitar and said,         “The guitar sounds incredible. And this is his first.” Pahinui also played it. To        quote both artists, “We looked at each other and said, I want number two!       And I want number Three!” And the rest was history (Ashley Meeks of the     Ellsworth American, February 2, 2006).

Three months later, Vance had the honor of attending a concert in Monterey Bay, California, where he witnessed Grammy Award recipient Cyril Pahinui playing his new Vance Guitar. “It was an extraordinary experience – to hear a master play my guitar! The sound was unbelievable. I was overwhelmed.”

Vance continues to craft acoustic guitars of varying styles.