Jack Schwarz
Owner/President/CEO
I was born in The Hague, The Netherlands and at the age of 5 immigrated to the States. My family settled in San Pedro, California, where I was exposed to the musical landscape of Southern California rock ‘n’ roll. In those early years, like millions of others, I fell in love with the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. But…I was immediately influenced by So Cal bands like Dick Dale and the Del-Tones, the Surfaris, the Seeds, Love, and many more. I started playing the guitar at 10 and by my eleventh birthday, I had progressed to my first true electric guitar and amp…a Fender Stratocaster and Deluxe Reverb. At the age of 13, I was playing with a professional band that worked as an opening act for groups like Canned Heat, The Seeds, and Three Dog Night.
When I was 16, my family moved to Oregon where I began working in music stores and working on guitars. I spent endless hours modifying customers' instruments. From simple adjustments to complete overhauls, I worked to learn the fine art of breathing new life into guitars, bringing them back to optimal playing condition.
Booking agencies and music management was also a wonderful part of my life, where the co-ordination of concerts promoting such groups as Kiss, Rush, Heart, and Styx and so many other great artists brought me full circle in the music business.
By age 24, I was customizing guitars for working musicians, building my own guitars, and touring with my band throughout the western United States and Canada.
In 1982, I was hired by Fender/CBS as a guitar Tuner/Tester, but before actually working in that job, I worked for over 6 months in the wood shop milling necks and bodies. I left Fender in early 1984 and worked as a full-time musician in Alaska, but continued to do guitar repair and building on the side.
In mid-1986, I returned to the new Fender Musical Instruments Corp. and started in Corona, CA as the Final Department Supervisor. During my 30-year tenure at Fender, I held many positions and progressed through management, director, and VP roles. I provided planning, direction, and oversight for a variety of areas that included, B2B and B2C call center management, all aspects of dealer, distributor, and consumer support, product returns, repairs, and remanufacturing. I established global OEM quality processes and led Global Quality Inspection teams in USA, Europe and Asia.
One of the highlights of my career at Fender was from 1988 to 1999, I traveled throughout the world, two to three weeks each month, demonstrating Fender products, educating guitarists about their equipment, and getting their guitars in maximum working order as part of the Fender Bench Check program. I have had the pleasure of working on more than a million guitars in my lifetime. I was a featured writer in the early years of the Fender Frontline magazine, and in addition, have had the privilege of giving seminars at such educational institutions as Berklee College of Music, Duquesne University, and the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery…to name a few.
After leaving Fender in 2014, I had considered retiring, but the passion for guitars simply had not subsided. In late 2016, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime…to own my own guitar company and Desert Son Musical Instruments came to life.
Now, when I’m not working at the shop, I’m either enjoying time with my family, writing music, recording in my home studio, or playing gigs with my musical family in the band Roxster.
I often say that the guitar truly is my life’s addiction. I love the opportunity to share my knowledge of guitar manufacturing and repair and embrace the opportunity to inspire and mentor future guitar builders.
When I was 16, my family moved to Oregon where I began working in music stores and working on guitars. I spent endless hours modifying customers' instruments. From simple adjustments to complete overhauls, I worked to learn the fine art of breathing new life into guitars, bringing them back to optimal playing condition.
Booking agencies and music management was also a wonderful part of my life, where the co-ordination of concerts promoting such groups as Kiss, Rush, Heart, and Styx and so many other great artists brought me full circle in the music business.
By age 24, I was customizing guitars for working musicians, building my own guitars, and touring with my band throughout the western United States and Canada.
In 1982, I was hired by Fender/CBS as a guitar Tuner/Tester, but before actually working in that job, I worked for over 6 months in the wood shop milling necks and bodies. I left Fender in early 1984 and worked as a full-time musician in Alaska, but continued to do guitar repair and building on the side.
In mid-1986, I returned to the new Fender Musical Instruments Corp. and started in Corona, CA as the Final Department Supervisor. During my 30-year tenure at Fender, I held many positions and progressed through management, director, and VP roles. I provided planning, direction, and oversight for a variety of areas that included, B2B and B2C call center management, all aspects of dealer, distributor, and consumer support, product returns, repairs, and remanufacturing. I established global OEM quality processes and led Global Quality Inspection teams in USA, Europe and Asia.
One of the highlights of my career at Fender was from 1988 to 1999, I traveled throughout the world, two to three weeks each month, demonstrating Fender products, educating guitarists about their equipment, and getting their guitars in maximum working order as part of the Fender Bench Check program. I have had the pleasure of working on more than a million guitars in my lifetime. I was a featured writer in the early years of the Fender Frontline magazine, and in addition, have had the privilege of giving seminars at such educational institutions as Berklee College of Music, Duquesne University, and the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery…to name a few.
After leaving Fender in 2014, I had considered retiring, but the passion for guitars simply had not subsided. In late 2016, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime…to own my own guitar company and Desert Son Musical Instruments came to life.
Now, when I’m not working at the shop, I’m either enjoying time with my family, writing music, recording in my home studio, or playing gigs with my musical family in the band Roxster.
I often say that the guitar truly is my life’s addiction. I love the opportunity to share my knowledge of guitar manufacturing and repair and embrace the opportunity to inspire and mentor future guitar builders.
Graham Dowling
Owner/Designer/Builder
I am from Dublin Ireland and at the age of 11 I started playing guitar, which pretty quickly became my passion. During the time I attended high school, I made the decision to take a year off to work in one of Dublin's best guitar shops…Musician Inc. It was during this time that I learned about the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery based in Phoenix, Arizona.
After graduating high school, I went on to study photography for 3 years. Midway through my third year of studying I found that I simply didn't enjoy what I was doing and realized that I needed to change the path I was taking with my life.
While talking with my parents, I expressed a desire to go learn how to build guitars. In January of 2014, I left Dublin for Phoenix and started attending class at Roberto-Venn. Upon graduating during the spring of 2014, I spoke with my dad about my future plans. I really felt that I needed more time to learn the craft and eventually secure a job in the US. The decision was made for me to extend my time at the school and attend the Fall 2014 class as a graduate student. It was during this class that I was introduced to an acoustic guitar builder, who was willing to take me as on an apprentice once I graduated and help me further my goal of being a custom guitar builder.
During this time, I met Wes Brown, the Lead Builder at Desert Son Musical Instruments. It was through Wes that I was introduced to Jack Schwarz. I was very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time and was presented with the opportunity to invest in a setting up a company with Jack and purchasing Fano. This was the beginning of Desert Son Musical Instruments.
Building guitars is truly my passion and I hope that I am fortunate to be able to do it for a long time.
Away from work I enjoy going to baseball, football and hockey games and going to see live music.
After graduating high school, I went on to study photography for 3 years. Midway through my third year of studying I found that I simply didn't enjoy what I was doing and realized that I needed to change the path I was taking with my life.
While talking with my parents, I expressed a desire to go learn how to build guitars. In January of 2014, I left Dublin for Phoenix and started attending class at Roberto-Venn. Upon graduating during the spring of 2014, I spoke with my dad about my future plans. I really felt that I needed more time to learn the craft and eventually secure a job in the US. The decision was made for me to extend my time at the school and attend the Fall 2014 class as a graduate student. It was during this class that I was introduced to an acoustic guitar builder, who was willing to take me as on an apprentice once I graduated and help me further my goal of being a custom guitar builder.
During this time, I met Wes Brown, the Lead Builder at Desert Son Musical Instruments. It was through Wes that I was introduced to Jack Schwarz. I was very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time and was presented with the opportunity to invest in a setting up a company with Jack and purchasing Fano. This was the beginning of Desert Son Musical Instruments.
Building guitars is truly my passion and I hope that I am fortunate to be able to do it for a long time.
Away from work I enjoy going to baseball, football and hockey games and going to see live music.
Mark W Blythe
Chief Operating Officer
My journey into the world of electric guitars began at age 9, when a classmate and I infiltrated his brother’s bedroom and commandeered his guitar and amp. It was the coolest ‘toy’ I had ever seen. My parents soon found out about my new passion and nurtured my talents, supporting lessons, tolerating my excessive practicing and eventually granting my band rehearsal space in our living room.
After high school, I attended Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix, Arizona where I learned how to build stringed instruments. Upon graduation, I returned to Texas where I set up shop and built custom electric guitars and basses for my friends and fellow local musicians.
In the mid-80’s I moved to Arizona to live out my rock and roll dream. I became a touring lead guitarist, traveling across parts of the U.S. and Canada for a couple different rock bands.
With my touring days over, I fortunately landed a job at Fender Musical Instruments as a Guitar Technician. During my 22 years at Fender, I worked as manager in several departments including Supply Chain, Customer Service, Product Management, Marketing, Product Development, Sales, and E-Commerce. Thanks to my years at Fender, I can draw from that experience to create top quality instruments for Fano, while keeping cost down, enabling us to produce a uniquely beautiful and affordable instrument for the discerning musician.
Even after all these years, I am still passionate about the music, but I swapped 6 strings for 4 and I still rock out with my friends Jack, James, and Conor whenever we can. Rock ‘N’ Roll!
After high school, I attended Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix, Arizona where I learned how to build stringed instruments. Upon graduation, I returned to Texas where I set up shop and built custom electric guitars and basses for my friends and fellow local musicians.
In the mid-80’s I moved to Arizona to live out my rock and roll dream. I became a touring lead guitarist, traveling across parts of the U.S. and Canada for a couple different rock bands.
With my touring days over, I fortunately landed a job at Fender Musical Instruments as a Guitar Technician. During my 22 years at Fender, I worked as manager in several departments including Supply Chain, Customer Service, Product Management, Marketing, Product Development, Sales, and E-Commerce. Thanks to my years at Fender, I can draw from that experience to create top quality instruments for Fano, while keeping cost down, enabling us to produce a uniquely beautiful and affordable instrument for the discerning musician.
Even after all these years, I am still passionate about the music, but I swapped 6 strings for 4 and I still rock out with my friends Jack, James, and Conor whenever we can. Rock ‘N’ Roll!
Chad Hines
Director, Business Development
I joined Fano Guitars in November of 2016 after almost 3 decades of working in many different aspects of the entertainment and musical instrument industry.
While still in college, I began working for a major Phoenix radio station, where I was involved in producing a hit morning show, voicing commercials and eventually became an on-air personality myself.
After the radio gig, I spent a couple of years working for a company that specialized in promotion and marketing support for concert tours. Our clients were top-name artists from the country, pop and rock genres. We worked directly with the artists, their management, concert promoters, radio/TV stations and venues in each of the markets where the artist was performing.
From there, it was on to Fender Musical Instruments Corp where I spend 16 years working in virtually every aspect of sales – domestic indie dealers, national accounts, mass merchants and international distributors. I had the privilege of travelling and working in some amazing places like Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Israel.
Oh, and on top of all that… I have been playing guitar professionally or semi-professionally in bands for 20 years!
I’ve been so fortunate to have the career that has brought me to Fano Guitars. We’re a small, but mighty team of musicians and gear geeks who love what we do. We couldn’t be more proud of the guitars we build and the players who use them!
While still in college, I began working for a major Phoenix radio station, where I was involved in producing a hit morning show, voicing commercials and eventually became an on-air personality myself.
After the radio gig, I spent a couple of years working for a company that specialized in promotion and marketing support for concert tours. Our clients were top-name artists from the country, pop and rock genres. We worked directly with the artists, their management, concert promoters, radio/TV stations and venues in each of the markets where the artist was performing.
From there, it was on to Fender Musical Instruments Corp where I spend 16 years working in virtually every aspect of sales – domestic indie dealers, national accounts, mass merchants and international distributors. I had the privilege of travelling and working in some amazing places like Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Israel.
Oh, and on top of all that… I have been playing guitar professionally or semi-professionally in bands for 20 years!
I’ve been so fortunate to have the career that has brought me to Fano Guitars. We’re a small, but mighty team of musicians and gear geeks who love what we do. We couldn’t be more proud of the guitars we build and the players who use them!
James Welch
Manager, Supply Chain Planning and Quality
I grew up surrounded by the Music Industry, attending my first NAMM Show when I was 8 years old. It was a fascinating experience and a total sensory overload for a child…but I was hooked.
As I grew older, I followed in my father’s foot-steps and became a musician. After graduating high school, I served 8 years in the United States Navy. Once my service was completed, I went to work for Fender in their National Accounts department. I knew right then, that this was the industry I wanted to be in.
I attended Scottsdale Community College for Business and in 2013; I decided to follow my passion for guitar building. I enrolled and studied at the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix, AZ. Upon graduation, I quickly went to work at Guitar Center as a Repair Technician at their Mesa, AZ location. I spent over 1 ½ years learning everything I could about guitar repair, growing within my craft, and becoming a better repair technician.
In 2015, I left Guitar Center and opened my own Guitar Repair Shop. I did not have my repair shop for long before I was drawn into a new adventure. That new adventure was building the first pre-production Aero3 Guitars. I traveled to Seattle, Washington and in 8 weeks, hand-built the first 20 guitars.
In 2016, I was hired as the Production Manager for Fano Guitars. During that time I assisted with moving the company’s operation to its current location in Scottsdale, AZ, training new builders, and improving overall Production processes.
We are a small company, but my team and I take great pride in building each guitar with care and passion.
As I grew older, I followed in my father’s foot-steps and became a musician. After graduating high school, I served 8 years in the United States Navy. Once my service was completed, I went to work for Fender in their National Accounts department. I knew right then, that this was the industry I wanted to be in.
I attended Scottsdale Community College for Business and in 2013; I decided to follow my passion for guitar building. I enrolled and studied at the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix, AZ. Upon graduation, I quickly went to work at Guitar Center as a Repair Technician at their Mesa, AZ location. I spent over 1 ½ years learning everything I could about guitar repair, growing within my craft, and becoming a better repair technician.
In 2015, I left Guitar Center and opened my own Guitar Repair Shop. I did not have my repair shop for long before I was drawn into a new adventure. That new adventure was building the first pre-production Aero3 Guitars. I traveled to Seattle, Washington and in 8 weeks, hand-built the first 20 guitars.
In 2016, I was hired as the Production Manager for Fano Guitars. During that time I assisted with moving the company’s operation to its current location in Scottsdale, AZ, training new builders, and improving overall Production processes.
We are a small company, but my team and I take great pride in building each guitar with care and passion.
Conor White
Manager, Social Media
I was born in Scottsdale, Arizona in May of 1993 and have lived here ever since. My involvement in music came at a very early age and began playing the drums seriously around the fourth grade. Because other family members also played…drums were readily at my disposal. I quickly started playing with friends, some were drummers, others were guitar or bass players and eventually I landed a spot in my first real band.
I started gigging around Arizona, playing any show our band was offered. It was in those early years where I began to learn the ins and outs of my playing and what it really meant to play with other musicians.
In my later teenage years, while in a new band, “City in the Sea” I signed with a record label and went on to tour around the United States and Canada. One of the largest tours we performed on was the 2013 Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival.
Today, I continue to perform and record. I strive every day to learn more and more about the music industry and how I can apply myself in the best ways possible. In my view, when it comes down to it there is one driving force behind music and the industry surrounding it…passion.
I started gigging around Arizona, playing any show our band was offered. It was in those early years where I began to learn the ins and outs of my playing and what it really meant to play with other musicians.
In my later teenage years, while in a new band, “City in the Sea” I signed with a record label and went on to tour around the United States and Canada. One of the largest tours we performed on was the 2013 Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival.
Today, I continue to perform and record. I strive every day to learn more and more about the music industry and how I can apply myself in the best ways possible. In my view, when it comes down to it there is one driving force behind music and the industry surrounding it…passion.
