The Maker
Fifty Years of Family Craft
MRK Artistry was founded in 2012 on a simple belief: that the best instruments are built by hand, one at a time, by someone who cares deeply about the result.
Where It Began
The luthier tradition in this family stretches back more than fifty years. Raymond Klocek grew up surrounded by instruments — watching, learning, and eventually building alongside the craftsmen who came before him.
MRK Artistry was formally established in 2012, bringing that generational knowledge into a dedicated workshop focused on custom guitars and violins. In 2020, a full repair and restoration service was added, extending the workshop's reach to instruments that need care as much as new ones need creation.
Every build is a collaboration. Raymond works directly with each client — discussing tonewoods, body shapes, playability preferences, and aesthetic details — until the instrument exists exactly as imagined.
The Philosophy
No Shortcuts
Traditional hide glue construction, hand-shaped necks, and time-tested joinery. The methods that have worked for centuries still work today.
Materials Matter
Tonewoods are selected by hand — for grain, resonance, and character. Premium domestic and exotic woods are sourced from trusted suppliers with responsible harvesting practices.
Built to Last
Every MRK Artistry instrument is backed by a 7-year structural warranty. We build instruments meant to be played for decades, then passed down.
One at a Time
Production is intentionally limited. Fewer instruments means more attention on each one — and a result that reflects genuine craft rather than volume.
Tonewoods & Materials
Spruce, cedar, mahogany, rosewood, maple, and figured exotics — each selected for its acoustic properties and visual character. Hardware is sourced from trusted makers who share the same commitment to quality.
Sitka and European Spruce
Tops — bright, articulate, responsive
Western Red Cedar
Tops — warm, immediate, fingerpicker's choice
Honduran Mahogany
Backs, sides & necks — focused midrange warmth
Indian Rosewood
Backs & sides — rich overtones, complex sustain
Figured Maple
Backs, sides & violin plates — brilliant projection
Ebony
Fingerboards & bridges — dense, fast, durable
Commission Your Instrument
Every build starts with a conversation. Tell us what you're imagining and we'll tell you how we can make it real.