Wes Brown
Lead Builder
I grew up on my family's ranch in the small town of McClave, CO, which was named after my great, great grandfather. I spent my childhood riding in tractors with my Grandpa, branding cattle, and listening to my mom and sisters play piano for hours on end.
In 2007, I picked up the guitar for the first time and fell in love. That also happened to be the year I moved to Kansas City. I graduated from high school and played in a couple bands throughout my time there. But, since my junior year in high school…I knew I wanted to pursue my career in guitar building and attend the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery.
I finally decided to make the move to Phoenix, AZ and attended the Fall Class of 2015 and learned the craftsmanship of building and designing incredible instruments. Soon after graduation, I was hired on at Fano Guitars and I am now the Lead Builder. Life is good.
In 2007, I picked up the guitar for the first time and fell in love. That also happened to be the year I moved to Kansas City. I graduated from high school and played in a couple bands throughout my time there. But, since my junior year in high school…I knew I wanted to pursue my career in guitar building and attend the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery.
I finally decided to make the move to Phoenix, AZ and attended the Fall Class of 2015 and learned the craftsmanship of building and designing incredible instruments. Soon after graduation, I was hired on at Fano Guitars and I am now the Lead Builder. Life is good.
Brandon Duran
Builder
Music has always played a huge part in my life. As a kid, I would spend hours alone in the garage listening to records, or playing increasing bad cover tunes on a dilapidated acoustic that was so poorly set-up that it never played in tune. I remember listening to tracks as a child and knowing that someday I wanted to be a part of the music industry. Unfortunately, I never developed the necessary skills to make it as a working musician, because I spent more time going to shows than practicing, but after a decade working in the motorcycle industry, it became apparent that it was time to find a new path that inspired me to create, innovate, and, if possible, work with my hands.
So, when I turned 30, I decided I was going to follow my original passion and find a way to be a part of the music scene without being the guy on stage. In the Fall of 2015, I was accepted into Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery for the upcoming Spring class. With an amazing amount help and support from my entire family and my loving fiancée, I moved away from my comfortable Southern California existence to start anew.
My story is not special or amazing, but more ironic than anything. The one instrument that drove me to school to learn how to build guitars was the Fano RB6 that I just happened to stumble across online one day. While in school, Fano released the Standard Series and my hopes were lifted that they may need more hands to create their iconic offerings. I had no idea that in my final week at school, a man by the name of Jack Schwarz would be interviewing for one open intern position building Fano Guitars that started immediately. Today, I am a living my dream as builder and put that love of working with my hands into each and every guitar.
So, when I turned 30, I decided I was going to follow my original passion and find a way to be a part of the music scene without being the guy on stage. In the Fall of 2015, I was accepted into Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery for the upcoming Spring class. With an amazing amount help and support from my entire family and my loving fiancée, I moved away from my comfortable Southern California existence to start anew.
My story is not special or amazing, but more ironic than anything. The one instrument that drove me to school to learn how to build guitars was the Fano RB6 that I just happened to stumble across online one day. While in school, Fano released the Standard Series and my hopes were lifted that they may need more hands to create their iconic offerings. I had no idea that in my final week at school, a man by the name of Jack Schwarz would be interviewing for one open intern position building Fano Guitars that started immediately. Today, I am a living my dream as builder and put that love of working with my hands into each and every guitar.
