A luthier is a person who makes or repairs stringed instruments. An established craft or trade, lutherie, is commonly divided into two categories: plucked or strummed stringed instruments, and bowed stringed instruments.

A guitar luthier falls within the first category. Although traditionally a luthier made acoustic instruments, in modern times, those who making electric guitars are also referred to as such.

Generally, modern luthiers specialize in one instrument type, i.e. lute, violin, guitar, bass. In the past though, it was common for a luthier to make or repair all manner of stringed instruments. For instance, the famed Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari (1634-1737) is best known for his violins, but he also created guitars. Alas, there exist today only two known guitars of his making. One of these features 18 frets, a long scale length at the time, but common today.

Another famed luthier, the American Orville Gibson (1856-1918) specialized in mandolins and integrated violin construction methods to his guitar construction process. His carved-body method with its arched back and top gave birth to the archtop guitar.

The entymology of luthier is the French word luth, meaning "lute".

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