About
Jack is a long time musician that plays pedal steel, dobro, lap steel, and weissenborn guitars.
His career as an architectural woodworker and cabinet maker has taught him the skills and techniques that enable him to craft and build quality instruments.
He is based out of Newton, New Jersey in the USA.
Testimonials and Reviews
Testimonials and Reviews from players and musicians using Jack's instruments:
"After beginning to learn slide lap guitar with a lap steel and then a National tricone, I wanted to add a Weissenborn to round out the collection. But for the kind of money I had, I was only able to consider a ply-bodied Chinese copy of this traditional American guitar. After reading about him on the forums, I contacted Jack Stepick and asked him if he could make a solid wood Weissenborn within my budget.
With his help, we decided to go for a Honduran mahogany guitar in the same format as the original Style 1 Weissenborn, (their most popular) with no binding, very spare and simple and the cost came out just within my budget. I think it took him two months to build it, with progress photographs to show me the interior bracing and structure, and the build of the guitar as it developed. Delivered, it proved to be a wonderful guitar , with a hand rubbed French polish finish, and beautiful workmanship throughout.The only changes I asked for during the build was an upgrade to the tuning machines and a bone nut, both of which he was happy to supply. With K&K mini pickups on the bridgeplate, played through a Tonedexter pre-amp, the guitar sounds magnificent and I am gigging with it now. From beginning to end, a very successful and satisfying experience. Thanks, Jack, for all your help in making this project happen."
—Robert Gardner
“I always wanted to try a shorter scale to see if it would enable some
slants that are hard to intonate on a regular scale. What surprised me is that these have a full sound
comparable to a lot of high-end large body instruments, including plenty of bass presence, good volume,
and great crystal clear tone up and down the neck; totally stage-worthy instruments...really superb
instruments.”
—Ivan Rosenberg
"Thanks Jack. You have built me a FAB Baritone Weissy!!!. Killer TONE.
The custom touches came out beautifully. I especially like the triple fret markers. And why not get all the visual pitch information you can???
I appreciate you going out of your wood locker to find me the KILLER western red cedar. The flamey Maple binding is a very nice visual touch. And the Walnut is pretty too!
I find the spacing very comfortable, and the 27inch scale is no problem with the bar!
I also am impressed with what's "under the hood". The solid lining and inset braces are very nice touches. You aren't messing around!
If I was trying to fret a 27" scale normal "Spanish" neck with my small fingers, I'd be in trouble. So It's great to have the baritone sound without having to use my left hand to fret. Just as I hoped and we discussed.
I have owned about a dozen Weissenborns, by many different builders, including an original 1920s style one.
This sounds better than any of them to my old ears! The sound is FAT, warm, rich, balanced string to string and all up and down the "neck". Plus it is very attractive to boot!"
—Paul Nichols (Guitars44me)
"I have had the pleasure of playing many of Jack's instruments over the
last few years, including his prototypes. Jack is extremely creative and
keenly focused on tone and playability. He is constantly re-imagining his
designs and experimenting with construction methods to produce the best
instrument possible. I own one of Jack's prototype Kona lap steels made from
a non-traditional laminate wood, and was shocked at how he had captured the
tone of the original Weissenborn instruments. I have a couple other high-end
instruments, and the Kona has become my primary for playing and recording.
"
—Casey Hunter
"Wow what a Weissenborn, it's a joy to play. I still have not put it down. It's everything you ever wanted in a Weissenborn and more. I do not know of another handmade custom guitar this good that plays so well, so get one while you can. I am happy I did! Jack is great to work with and a perfectionist and gentleman!!"
—Roger Johansen
"I had been looking to have an acoustic squareneck guitar built for me for quite some time. I have a wonderful Weissenborn, but was looking for something that had a similar feel and sound that would be less fragile. After looking into the custom guitars offered by a few builders willing to do them, I just couldn't find anything that really fit the bill. By a stroke of luck, I had come across Jack's instruments through an acquaintance of mine and got into contact with him. Knowing that he built both resonator guitars and Weissenborn guitars, I figured it couldn't hurt to ask if he was willing to give it a try.Jack took on the project and I couldn't be happier with the result. He built it with excellent solid tonewoods and materials, giving it an amazing sound and looks. The feel and playability are fantastic. It sounds fairly similar to a Weissenborn but feels more like playing one of my resonator guitars. It's far from a compromise to either. More of an excellent alternative to both. Thanks Jack for building me an awesome guitar!"
—Brent Libhart
"Hi…Tom Engleman here. I want to tell you about a good friend and wonderful luthier, his name is Jack Stepick. Jack is also a pedal steel and lap guitar player. In 2011 I was having Dobro Meetings at our St Paul United Methodist Church in Hellertown, Pa. and Jack and his wife started attending these meetings. Awhile ago, Jack built a short scale Dobro guitar. When Jack and Michele were visiting us he brought the Dobro to test drive it. It was absolutely great looking and had a loud mellow voice. After Jack sold this Dobro I told him I should have bought it from him. Fast forward to July 2022, Jack built a black walnut short scale Dobro and I asked him to personalize it for me. This Dobro has an amazing sound and is great looking. The Black Walnut short scale Dobro has my signature on the neck and masonic emblem on the back. I have several other custom and commercially made Dobros and this Jack Stepick Short scale Dobro ranks up there with the other ones I have. I know there are “closet players” like me but also professional players that have Jack’s instruments and are very pleased with them. Get in touch with Jack and order a Dobro or Weissenborn."
—Tom Engleman
"I really like the build and look of your guitars, particularly the headstock design. You were very accommodating in building that thin body 7-string. Not everyone is that flexible when asked for custom ideas."
—Kevin Maul
"I am enjoying it in Open D and playing some blues. The guitar is a perfect example of a professional build by a caring luthier. The choices of hardware was above my expectations."
—John Tamburro, proud owner
"Jack makes a great Weissenborn especially for the money.They sound and play like they should. Jack is attentive to details on a custom order, and most surprisingly these days, will give you a timetable on a delivery and keep it!"
—Seth Roberts