Every Proper Instrument is handmade in Cranston, Rhode Island.
We source our necks and bodies from some of the most skilled craftsmen across New England and the United States—supporting small builders while creating a truly exceptional final product.
Our pickups are hand-wound one at a time, either right here in Rhode Island or by our trusted partner in Nebraska. Every set carries its own voice, feel, and character.
The goal is simple: deliver something more inspiring than typical boutique brands—without the inflated price tag.
Every Proper Instrument includes a proprietary QR code that stays with it for life, giving you access to its full story—specs, ownership history, and future updates.
Standard on Every Build:
The Proper Passive System:
This is where things separate.
At 0, your tone is scooped, clean, and vocal—right in that B.B. King to John Mayer lane. No mud, just clarity and musicality. Something you have to feel to truly appreciate.
At 10, it opens up into full SRV-style twang, presence, and bite.
Everything in between is fully usable—you’re shaping your sound, not fighting your controls. From Hendrix to Gilmour, It's all in there.
No batteries. Ever.
We don’t just love Strats—we adore them. Proper Instruments redefines the simplicity of Leo’s original design. Most Strats are muddy when the tone controls are below 7. Players just live with it—or add a treble bleed.
That’s child’s play.
Proper Passive is built to be usable from 0–10—you can’t get a bad sound, even at bedroom volumes. 0 starts your journey—JM/BB-style. 10 delivers full SRV bite and presence. Everything in between is there for the taking.
All with no batteries or useless blender controls, Ever.
Setup, overhaul, or full restoration—we’ve got you.
Every guitar is different. We take the time to understand what you have and what you want before recommending our services. No upsells. No guesswork. Just real guidance backed by experience.
For larger or specialty work, we partner with Boylan Guitars in Harrisville, RI—our community partner.
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