PADALKA GUITARS
Custom made boutique electric guitars and basses made in Canada by Simon Padalka. Refined design, flawless craftsmanship, obsessive attention to details and phenomenal playability. My work explores the intersection of functional design and sculptural form. Each instrument is not only a sonic tool but a visual and tactile experience - crafted to evoke inspiration before a single note is played and blur the line between functionality and fine art.
Watch my interview with Jamie Gale, the curator of the Boutique Guitar Showcase
JOURNEY
I started repairing and building guitars in 2011 in my hometown of Krasnodar, Russia, In 2012 I mastered in architecture but gave up on the profession and concentrated on guitar building. However, that training along with the influence from a family of architects instilled a deep appreciation of high quality materials, structural engineering and refined design.
In 2015 with the help of my family I upgraded the workshop and developed new models which became the backbone of the brand.
In 2018 I started attending international guitar shows. First the Holy Grail Guitar Show in Berlin, then the NAMM show in 2019 and 2020
In 2020 I moved to a new workshop and had it for two years before geopolitical circumstances made it impossible to do international business.
At the end of 2022 I left the country to join Dingwall Guitars and restart Padalka Guitars in Canada. I designed a new model line which includes one legacy model - Ennea Bass, carried through from the early days of Padalka Guitars.
Now I have only 5 to 10 build slots available per year, which is why I'm concentrating on even higher quality