Through his innovative steel-string designs, widely used guitar-building tools, and highly influential American School of Lutherie, this restless builder from Portland, Oregon, has had a remarkable impact on guitar making. Charles Fox is one of the guitar community’s earliest independent builders. Through his American School of Lutherie and his affinity for jig making and problem solving, it’s not unreasonable to speculate that he has directly or indirectly influenced virtually every acoustic guitar maker working today. Visit any flattop luthier’s shop, and you’ll probably find his Universal Side Bender—and maybe even his Bridge Clamp system. Further, some of the techniques he developed in his classroom are now standard practice among acoustic luthiers, particularly in the way trim work is installed.