William Allen Asher Biography: Career as a Guitar Maker and Family

William Allen Asher, professionally known as Bill Asher, is an American luthier who builds, repairs and restores guitars. Based in the Los Angeles area, he has developed a long career around custom electric guitars, lap steel instruments and vintage restoration.

Born on July 24, 1964, Asher is the son of actress Elizabeth Montgomery and television director and producer William Asher. Although he grew up in a family closely connected to Hollywood, he followed an independent path in musical-instrument craftsmanship. His professional journey began in 1982 and later led to the establishment of Asher Guitars & Lap Steels.

Also Read: Matewa Kiritapu Biography: Taika Waititi’s Daughter and Actress

William Allen Asher Profile Summary

William Allen Asher’s Early Life and Background

William Allen Asher was born in Santa Monica, California, and grew up in Beverly Hills. His childhood placed him near the American entertainment industry because both of his parents had established television careers. His mother, Elizabeth Montgomery, became best known for playing Samantha Stephens in the sitcom Bewitched.

His father, William Asher, was a television and film director, producer and screenwriter. He directed numerous episodes of I Love Lucy and played an important creative role in Bewitched. William Allen Asher did not pursue the same professional direction as his parents, instead developing an interest in music and woodworking.

Asher attended El Rodeo School and Beverly Hills High School before graduating from University High School in 1982. During a high school woodshop class, he attempted to construct his first guitar body. That project became an important step toward his future profession.

After graduation, Asher took the unfinished instrument to a Los Angeles guitar repair shop operated by luthier Jeff Lunsford. His interest and practical ability led to an apprenticeship, giving him direct experience in instrument repair, construction and restoration.

William Allen Asher’s Family

William Allen Asher is the eldest of the three children born to Elizabeth Montgomery and William Asher. His younger brother is Robert Asher, while his younger sister, Rebecca Asher, entered the television industry and became an editor and director.

John Asher and Bo Foxworth are associated with William through the family’s later marriages. John became part of the Asher family through William Asher’s marriage to actress Joyce Bulifant. Bo Foxworth is the son of actor Robert Foxworth, who later married Elizabeth Montgomery.

William’s family background is strongly connected to television, film and acting. However, his career has remained centered on the music industry and the technical craft of creating instruments for working musicians.

William Allen Asher’s Career as a Guitar Maker

William Allen Asher began his professional training in 1982 as an apprentice to Jeff Lunsford. He worked with Lunsford for approximately four years, learning how to diagnose instrument problems, complete detailed repairs and restore older guitars without compromising their original character.

He later expanded his knowledge by working with established builders such as Rick Turner and Mark Lacey. These experiences gave him exposure to different construction methods and helped him develop his own approach to guitar design, tone and playability.

Asher eventually opened Guitar Traditions, a repair shop in Santa Monica. The business allowed him to work directly with a range of instruments and musicians. Years spent repairing and restoring guitars also provided practical insight into how materials, hardware and construction decisions affect an instrument over time.

He later established Asher Guitars & Lap Steels in the Los Angeles area. Through the company, he became known for producing high-end electric guitars and lap steel instruments. His work combines traditional handcraftsmanship with modern building methods and player-specific design requirements.

William Allen Asher’s Custom Guitars and Lap Steels

William Allen Asher’s custom instruments are designed with attention to tone, balance, durability and playing comfort. His professional experience with vintage guitars has also influenced his approach to construction, allowing him to draw from established designs while developing instruments with a distinct identity.

A significant part of his career has involved the lap steel guitar. In 1998, he worked with musician Ben Harper to design a modern solid-body lap steel suited to live performance. The collaboration helped connect the instrument’s traditional Hawaiian and blues roots with contemporary rock, folk and alternative music.

Asher’s lap steel designs have been used by professional musicians, including Ben Harper, Jackson Browne and Neil Young. His work has contributed to renewed interest in non-pedal steel guitars by making the instrument accessible to both experienced performers and newer players.

The lap steel line later continued under the Electro Hawaiian brand, while Asher Guitars increased its focus on electric guitars and custom projects. This development allowed the related brands to concentrate on separate areas of instrument design and production.

William Allen Asher’s Professional Journey

Asher’s career developed gradually through apprenticeships, repair work, restoration projects and original construction. This progression gave him experience across several areas of luthiery rather than restricting his work to a single type of instrument.

Repairing older guitars requires careful evaluation because modifications can affect an instrument’s structure, sound and historical value. Asher’s background in restoration helped inform the practical design of his own guitars, especially in areas such as neck construction, hardware placement and long-term reliability.

His professional work has increasingly centered on custom instruments. Unlike mass-produced guitars, custom builds can be shaped around a musician’s preferred neck dimensions, electronics, materials, weight and playing style. This individualized approach is a defining feature of boutique guitar making.

In 2021, Asher Guitars began collaborating with influential guitar builder Doug Irwin. As an Irwin Certified Builder, Asher became involved in producing instruments based on Irwin’s historic designs. Projects from the collaboration include the Dire Wolf Bass played by Oteil Burbridge.

William Allen Asher’s Major Achievements and Recognition

One of William Allen Asher’s principal achievements is his contribution to the modern development of the lap steel guitar. His work with Ben Harper produced an instrument suited to contemporary stages while retaining the expressive qualities associated with traditional lap steel playing.

Asher has also built a professional reputation through decades of repair, restoration and custom construction. Beginning as an apprentice in 1982, he progressed from working in repair shops to leading a Los Angeles boutique guitar company with an international customer base.

His appointment as an Irwin Certified Builder represents another important form of professional recognition. The role connects Asher’s contemporary building experience with Doug Irwin’s influential designs and gives him responsibility for interpreting those instruments with close attention to their original character.

The use of Asher instruments by established musicians has further increased recognition of his craftsmanship. His career is distinguished by sustained technical work and instrument development rather than awards or entertainment-industry publicity.

Frequently Asked Questions About William Allen Asher

Who is William Allen Asher?

William Allen Asher, also known as Bill Asher, is an American luthier. He builds custom electric guitars and has extensive experience in guitar repair, restoration and lap steel design.

When was William Allen Asher born?

He was born on July 24, 1964, in Santa Monica, California. He is 62 years old as of 2026.

Who are William Allen Asher’s parents?

His parents were actress Elizabeth Montgomery and television director, producer and screenwriter William Asher.

Who are William Allen Asher’s siblings?

His full siblings are Robert Asher and Rebecca Asher. John Asher and Bo Foxworth are connected to him through the family’s later marriages.

What is William Allen Asher known for?

He is known for creating high-end custom guitars and modern lap steel instruments. He is also recognized for his repair and restoration work and his collaboration with musicians and other respected guitar builders.

Conclusion

William Allen Asher built a specialized career outside the television industry associated with his parents. After discovering guitar construction in a high school woodshop class, he began an apprenticeship in 1982 and developed expertise in repair, restoration and custom instrument building.

As the founder and master builder associated with Asher Guitars, he has produced electric guitars and lap steels for professional musicians. His collaboration with Ben Harper, contribution to the modern lap steel guitar and later work as an Irwin Certified Builder are central parts of his professional record. His biography reflects more than four decades devoted to the practical and creative craft of American guitar making.