Sylvan Music Staff

Albert Markasky
(founder, retired)

Sylvan Music's humble beginnings started with Al in a small shop in downtown Santa Cruz. Since then, he has built over 20 acoustic guitars and repaired & restored thousands of instruments. Come on in and he'll give you a Buckeye hello.

Mike Sparber
​(owner)

Mike is a lover & admirer of all stringed instruments, especially the old ones.  When he's not busy greasing the wheels of Sylvan, he is usually playing with his daughter or seeing some great music.

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Patrick Ray
(luthier)

Patrick is a lifelong guitar enthusiast who has plunged headfirst into the world of luthiery and shows no signs of slowing down. He's been building EP Custom Pickups for several years, and now is building acoustic guitars under the name Aberdeen that can be found adoring the walls here at our shop. ​

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