Michael Satterfield
In a quiet corner of Bryan, Texas, in a former fire station that is part of a revitalized downtown, is a workshop where music begins long before the first chord is played. Clements Guitars, the brainchild of luthier Trey Clements, is not just a boutique guitar brand—it is a place where heritage, craftsmanship, and the slow, deliberate art of creation come together in perfect harmony. I met Trey for the first time, and he showed me around his live/work space, in the old Bryan Fire Department station house.
The air inside Clements Guitars smells of fresh-cut wood, lacquer, and the faint ozone of soldering irons. It’s a scent that tells a story. Here, guitars are not assembled on assembly lines but born out of passion, patience, and tradition. For Trey Clements, building instruments is more than a livelihood; it is an inheritance. A descendant of Joseph D. Clements, a fighter in the Texas Revolution, Trey approaches his craft with the same devotion and grit as his ancestors. He honed his skills through the rigorous Galloup School of Lutherie and credits his time in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets for instilling the discipline and tenacity required to work with wood and wire.
Each guitar that leaves Trey’s shop is a piece of Texas. The flagship “32 Series,” a solid-body electric named for the 32 men who reinforced the Alamo, is carved with reverence and shaped by stories. The “JDC,” a semi-hollow model named in honor of Trey’s great-great-grandfather, pays homage not only to family legacy but to the genre-defying versatility of Texas musicianship itself. These are not instruments made to hang on walls; they are meant to be played, scuffed, cherished, and passed down.
“Texas isn’t just a place,” Trey says, running his hand over the lacquered grain of a walnut body. “It’s a sound. It’s a feel. And every guitar I build is chasing that.”
Clements Guitars operates at a human pace in a world of mass production. Each piece is made to order. and made by hand by Trey. Clients don’t just pick a color or fretboard radius—they enter into a conversation. Trey’s process involves understanding the player’s tone, their touch, their musical history. It is a collaborative ritual that bridges artistry and utility, echoing the traditions of violin makers in Cremona or the guitar makers of Paracho. It is a bespoke experience that leads to a one-of-a-kind instrument.
And it isn’t only the instruments that set Clements Guitars apart; it’s the community that inspires Trey daily. Designated a Music Friendly City by the Texas Music Office in 2022, Bryan is home to hundreds of live music events throughout the year, from large events like the Big Barn Dance to intimate singer-songwriter gatherings like The Stella Sessions. In a region better known for Aggie football and cattle ranches, this small shop has become an unlikely epicenter for guitar making.
In 2024, Clements Guitars was honored to contribute to the 41@100 Celebration, commemorating President George H.W. Bush’s centennial, crafting two bespoke guitars for the George & Barbara Bush Foundation, each reflecting the dignity and legacy of the 41st President. One of these instruments was auctioned, fetching $22,000 to support the Foundation’s initiatives. The other is still displayed at the Bush Library on the Texas A&M Campus in College Station. This collaboration underscored the intersection of music, history, and philanthropy, highlighting how Trey continues to honor Texas’s rich cultural tapestry through his artful creations.
Artists have noticed. Josh Burke of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Texas-based musician Marcus Eldridge both sing the praises of Clements Guitars, lauding their balance of playability and visual beauty. “It plays extremely well and I’m honored to be touching it, it’s a beautiful piece,” Burke remarked in a recent interview. Eldridge described Clements Guitars as “an effortless guitar to play.” That blend of elegance, function, tone, and texture defines the Clements Guitars ethos.
Clements Guitars: Made In Texas
The instruments may be crafted from swamp ash, maple, or mahogany, but they carry something less tangible: a philosophy. A belief that in an age of instant gratification, there is value in waiting. In sanding. In listening. And ultimately, in building something special that lasts.
There’s a certain poetry in knowing that every Clements guitar begins its life in a Texas town where the past is always just around the corner. From the lineage of the builder to the stories told through six strings, these instruments are both relic and revolution—wooden testaments to the enduring sound of Texas.
For those curious to discover more, or perhaps to commission a piece of musical heritage for themselves, Clements Guitars can be explored at clementsguitars.com, or better yet, book a tour in person and perhaps even pick out a piece of wood together for your next guitar.
Photos by Lucas Kepner
