John Ressler is a former dairy farmer, brick mason, and Bible college graduate who is currently a master stair builder and has an unquenchable obsession with guitars and other stringed instruments. A partner at Designed Stairs, he has designed and built high-end luxury stairs for 33 years in the Chicago area. When not building stairs, John tends his apple orchard, mows grass and builds high-end guitars for many talented musicians. John has taught this fine art to nearly 300 first-time instrument builders. He is the author of the book Pickin’ Stick: Building a Stringed Instrument. He resides in Sandwich, Illinois, with his wife, Roberta, who is also an avid supporter of all the above activities.