Terry Burke's skills as a luthier evolved from a combination of his passion for bluegrass music and mastery of fine woodworking.  He retired from an exciting career as a firefighter in the District of Columbia and his construction business.  After retirement, he turned his attention to creating fine furniture.

His love of bluegrass music grew when his wife gave him a Martin guitar as a gift.  His woodworking interests led him to crafting custom-made guitars.  Terry loves the process of selecting the finest woods and details for his custom-made guitars. He works with musicians on their preferences for inlays, designs, and the other components that customize each guitar as an original that meets their specific needs.  Some musicians own more than one of his creations.  Their uniqueness make them great collector's items.

The quality of his workmanship and attention to detail results in the rich tones and superior sound of each precision instrument.  His craftsmanship also extends to other stringed instruments.

Terry and his wife, Peggy, moved from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia to a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Glade Valley, North Carolina in 2021, where he set up his new shop. They spend winters in Englewood, Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico, where he jams with his bluegrass musician friends.