Georg Bolin

Oscar Guitars Proudly Presents Georg Bolin

Georg Bolin is celebrated as one of the pioneering forefathers of Swedish lutherie. With a long and illustrious career, Bolin left an indelible mark on the craft of instrument making. He also served as the leader and teacher at the prestigious Carl Malmsten Furniture Studies school, which hosted a guitar-making program from 1984 to 2007. This program nurtured many renowned luthiers, including Michael Sandén, Mats Nordwall, Lars Rasmussen, Joakim Grahn, and David Sundberg. Bolin's influence extended beyond his teaching; he designed guitars for esteemed brands such as Levin and Landola. Notably, Michael Sandén, one of his students, later became the chief designer for Tanglewood Guitars.

Born on February 24, 1912, in Guldrupe parish, Gotland, and passing away on April 21, 1993, Georg Bolin was a visionary designer and builder of musical instruments, primarily focusing on guitars and pianos.

For many years, Bolin led the Carl Malmsten school, where he mentored a generation of luthiers who would go on to achieve global recognition. Known for his originality and inventive spirit, Bolin gained international acclaim for innovations such as the 8- to 13-string alto guitar and adjustable soundboards, as well as lightweight grand pianos. Alongside these groundbreaking creations, he crafted traditional 6-string guitars that became prized by classical guitarists worldwide.

Bolin collaborated extensively with guitar professor Per-Olof Johnson (1928–2000) to develop the alto guitar, an instrument designed to emulate the rich tones of the baroque lute. This innovation attracted international attention, particularly through performances and recordings by Johnson and his student, guitar professor Göran Söllscher of Malmö and Copenhagen. Both musicians incorporated Bolin’s 6-string and multi-string alto guitars into their repertoires, highlighting the exceptional sound quality of his instruments.

In a unique personal touch, Bolin "christened" each of his guitars with a name, inscribing it on a label visible through the soundhole. His craftsmanship also extended to pianos; for example, pianist Alexis Weissenberg recorded Stravinsky's Petrushka for television using a Georg Bolin grand piano.