It whispers, it sings, it rocks, and it howls. It expresses the voice of the folk the open road, freedom, protest and rebellion, youth and love. It is the acoustic guitar. And over the last five decades it has become a quintessential American icon. Because this musical instrument is significant to so many in ways that are emotional, cultural, and economic guitar making has experienced a renaissance in North America, both as a popular hobby and, for some, a way of life.