Abe Wechter first attracted widespread attention in the mid-70s, while he was working at Gibson, where he was involved in the creation of a special acoustic guitar for John McLaughlin.

He established a lutherie business of his own in Paw Paw, MI, where he went on to build custom instruments for a number of top players, including John McLaughlin and top Swedish bassist Jonas Hellborg.

In 1994, Wechter completed the prototype of his distinctive “Pathmaker” double-cutaway flat-top, and, three years later, he set up a manufacturing facility to produce it in greater quantities.

It is currently available in a variety of versions. “Elite” Pathmakers are custom crafted in Paw Paw.