After graduating from Roberto-Venn, Stephen immediately began working with Charles Fox at Cfox guitars in Healdsburg, California. In his three years with Cfox, Stephen had a large part in constructing fine, high-end acoustic guitars. As a small shop, Cfox afforded him the opportunity to act as the manager of the body department, as well as to spend time working in all phases of guitar construction.

Upon the closure of Cfox guitars in 2001, Stephen began working with Todd Taggart at Allied Lutherie. Todd was responsible for starting the Luthiers Mercantile in the 1970's and was just in the beginning stages with Allied. Stephen signed on as the shop manager, and was responsible for processing and grading tonewoods sold as well as personally selecting woods for major guitar companies such as Gibson, Taylor and Fender as well as the small shop luthiers. This time spent processing thousands of sets of wood has greatly informed Stephen's relationship with the materials that go into his handmade guitars.

In 2003, Stephen and his wife Layne relocated to Portland, Oregon where he is now producing guitars under his own Stratton guitars label. Stephen has also continued in his education of fine instruments by working as a professional piano re-finisher, working on classic 20's Steinway piano's, as well as working with local Portland luthier Saul Koll. We're sure that you will hear and feel these experiences as they have culminated in the instruments now bearing the Stratton Guitars name.