We blend African artistry with Maryland pride, creating guitar straps and bags that bring comfort, style, and cultural identity to musicians everywhere.
Crafting guitar straps and bags that embody Maryland’s spirit, blending African-inspired artistry with Maryland’s own style, comfort, and individuality.
CTJ Guitar Shop was founded with a passion for music, craftsmanship, and culture. While we’re inspired by global artistry, Maryland is our home and muse. We’re on a mission to combine vibrant African heritage with Maryland’s unique spirit, crafting guitar accessories that reflect both individuality and community. CTJ is more than a guitar shop—it’s a Maryland-rooted brand that brings a global touch to every musician. From premium leather guitar straps to custom-designed bags, our products unite artistry, quality, and comfort to enhance every performance.
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Brand Strategy
About CTJ
Our Vision
To become Maryland’s leading brand for personalized guitar accessories, while steadily growing our global reach.
Our Mission
To create handcrafted guitar straps and bags that combine Maryland pride with African-inspired design, delivering comfort, style, and cultural expression to every musician.
Culture
Each strap includes vibrant African wax cloth, connecting Maryland musicians to African heritage, blending tradition and modern style.
Brand Values
Authentic craftsmanship, cultural heritage, personalized expression, and uncompromising quality
Brand Attributes
Heritage Meets Craftsmanship
These are straps and bags that carry the spirit of African art.
Crafted Comfort
These are handcrafted guitar straps and bags that prioritize style, comfort, and durability.
Custom Design
Personalization meets precision for musicians who seek individuality.
Design Process
Understand the player and their guitar.
Hand-select premium leather for flexibility and durability.
Craft each strap with a focus on comfort and style.
Create custom pieces that enhance performance true to maryland’s pride.
Brand Personality
Authentic
Rooted in Maryland’s culture and inspired by African traditions, we share genuine stories through every design.
Creative
Our designs celebrate individuality, blending bold patterns and vibrant colors with innovative craftsmanship.
Confident
We take pride in producing high-quality accessories that stand out for their durability, style, and cultural significance.
Positioning Statement
Where Artistry Meets Maryland and Beyond
CTJ Guitar Shop is Maryland’s premier destination for handcrafted guitar accessories. We combine cultural storytelling, premium materials, and local pride to create straps and bags that elevate performance and personal expression. Our brand represents a fusion of African artistry and Maryland’s musical spirit, putting us at the forefront of custom guitar accessories.
Core Beliefs
Craftsmanship Is Key
Every product is carefully crafted to ensure premium quality, comfort, and durability.We believe in a gradual, step-by-step approach to health that supports lasting change rather than quick fixes.
Cultural Heritage Matters
We incorporate African-inspired designs to tell stories that connect musicians to a global narrative.
Community Builds Strength
By embracing Maryland’s music scene, we create a supportive and inspiring environment for artists.
Personal Expression Enhances Performance
Our custom designs allow musicians to express their individuality on and off the stage.
Value Proposition
Heritage Meets Functionality
CTJ merges African artistry with Maryland’s dynamic music culture, creating accessories that tell a story.
Handcrafted for Comfort
Our products are designed to prioritize style, comfort, and performance, crafted with premium materials.
Personalization at Its Best
CTJ offers custom designs tailored to reflect each musician’s unique identity.
Our Goals
Dominate the Maryland Market
Establish CTJ as the go-to brand for guitar accessories across Maryland.
Expand Global Reach
Share Maryland’s musical identity with the world through African-inspired designs.
Foster Community Engagement
Partner with Maryland-based musicians, events, and music schools to promote the brand.
Elevate Product Innovation
Continuously refine designs to meet the evolving needs of modern musicians.
Audience Focus
We serve:
Maryland Musicians
Guitarists and bassists who value quality accessories with local pride.
We serve:
Creative Performers
Musicians looking to stand out with custom, culturally inspired designs.
We serve:
Music Enthusiasts Worldwide
Artists drawn to unique designs that blend heritage with craftsmanship.
We serve:
Retail Partners
Stores in Maryland and beyond seeking to stock premium guitar accessories.
Competitive Advantage
Cultural Storytelling
Every product we create is a blend of African artistry and Maryland pride.
Research-Based Nutrition
Hand-selected leather and vibrant patterns ensure top-tier quality.
Community-Centric Approach
Custom Design Expertise
Custom Design Expertise
Our personalized straps and bags give musicians the individuality they crave.
Brand Promise
At CTJ, we promise to:
Provide durable guitar accessories that blend African-inspired artistry with Maryland’s pride.
CTJ Guitar Shop empowers musicians to showcase their style, comfort, and cultural identity with every performance. Rooted in Maryland and inspired by global artistry, we craft accessories that enhance your music journey and tell your story.
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Verbal Identity
Messaging
Unleashing Musical Passion,
One Accessory at a Time
At CTJ Guitar Shop, we don’t just sell accessories — we craft experiences that elevate your music journey.
From hobbyists to professionals, we provide reliable, stylish, and comfortable guitar straps and carriers that let your music shine without compromise.
Your Sound. Your Style. Your Gear.
CTJ Guitar Shop celebrates the individuality of every guitarist, offering accessories that reflect your unique style and elevate your performance. Our gear isn’t just functional — it’s a reflection of you. Play with confidence and style, knowing you’re equipped with the best.
Gear Up, Stand Out
With CTJ Guitar Shop, you’re not just buying accessories — you’re investing in tools that amplify your music and define your presence on and off the stage.
From durable straps to versatile carriers, our products empower you to perform without limits, letting your talent take center stage.
Tagline
“Wear The Music. Play The Art!”
“Your Sound. Your Style. Your Gear.”
At CTJ Guitar Shop, we empower musicians to express themselves fully with accessories that deliver unparalleled style, comfort, and reliability. Whether you’re jamming at home or performing on the big stage, our gear is designed to let your music take the spotlight.
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Visual Identity
The Logo
Wordmark
The CTJ Guitar Shop logo embodies the spirit of music, craftsmanship, and passion for guitars. Inspired by the essence of sound waves and the structure of a guitar’s body, the logo blends organic curves with modern simplicity to resonate with musicians and enthusiasts alike. Its design reflects a harmonious balance between creativity and professionalism, making it timeless and versatile across applications.
It features clean and bold typography that emphasizes clarity and modernity. It complements the brandmark and can be used interchangeably or alongside it.
Left-Aligned
This is what it looks like when it is left-aligned.
Center-Aligned
This is what it looks like when it is center-aligned.
Right-Aligned
This is what it looks like when it is right-aligned.
Logo Construction
Clearspace
Use the width of the customized “s” as a guideline to determine the minimum amount of clear space needed.
Logo Color
Dark backgrounds
This is how it appears on dark backgrounds
Light backgrounds
This is how it appears on light backgrounds
Neutrals
This is how it appears on black and white backgrounds.
Logo Misuse
Our logo is our most sacred asset. Please treat it accordingly.
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Color Palette
Logo Colors
Canary Yellow
Represents the energy, creativity, and warmth infused into every product.
Evergreen
Captures the essence of nature, strength, and durability that CTJ Guitar Shop aims to bring to each creation.
Tints & Shades
Light Backgrounds
Tints & Shades
Dark Backgrounds
Tints & Shades
Neutral Colors
Color Misuse
This is a guide against the misuse of our colors
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Typography
Header Type
Blackford
Blackford, a vintage-inspired typeface, captures CTJ Guitar Shop’s dedication to craftsmanship with a nostalgic nod to classic design.
Crafted with influences from old packaging and labels, Blackford is a perfect match for the artisanal character of CTJ Guitar Shop.
Primary Type
Graphik
Graphik brings a clean, modern touch to CTJ Guitar Shop’s brand, balancing the vintage feel of Blackford with a versatile and contemporary edge.
The combination of Blackford and Graphik creates a typographic harmony that supports CTJ Guitar Shop’s mission to merge tradition with innovation.
Type hierarchy
Scaling
Titles are written in the Blackford typeface.
All headings, subheadings and paragraphs are written in the Graphik typeface