The Lab
David Bonvillain picked up the guitar at twelve, pulled in by the shredders (Joe Satriani, Steve Vai) and just as much by the wild, flashy instruments in their hands.
A music-industry degree led to the road, and to a job as guitar tech for Slayer's Kerry King. Then 2020 stopped the touring world cold. Bonvillain turned the downtime into a laboratory (chemistry, paint, finishes) and, encouraged by praise from Steve Vai himself, Bonvillain Design Studio was born.
The studio's work now hangs in the hands of some of the most influential guitarists alive. The method hasn't changed: treat every finish as an experiment, every build as a specimen, and never do the traditional thing when a wackier one is possible.
Founder
David Bonvillain
Founder & Builder
- Based
- Colorado
- Founded
- 2020
- Former
- Guitar tech, Kerry King (Slayer)
- Blessed by
- Steve Vai
The Method
Innovation over tradition
non-traditional design is the whole point.
The finish is chemistry
reactive paints, chromatic flips, hand-poured effects; every surface a controlled reaction.
Built to be played
instruments first; art that tours and holds up under stage lights.
Fabrication Partners
Geist Custom Instruments
custom hand-cut one-piece bodies
Mercier Guitars
some of the most detailed handmade inlays in the world
In-house finishing
paint jobs intended to be out of this world bonkers