What do you like best about your line of work?

I built a custom guitar for Roy Ponce, a guitarist for the band Brainchild, out of Peoria, IL. It was rewarding because it started with a drawing he sent and materialized into a one-of-a-kind custom instrument. This is something I really enjoy: holding up the concept on paper next to the completed tangible instrument. And if that is not enough, seeing your client on stage with the guitar is a most rewarding feeling. It would be comparable to a fine oil painter sitting in a corner of a gallery watching people understand and enjoy his/her art. Brainchild came to Breckenridge and Denver in 2011 and I had the incredible time seeing them preform. To see Roy’s guitar in person head to the 2014 Summer C amp Music Festival, in Chillicothe, IL May 23-25. There is a great lineup this year! Adding personal touches to clients’ guitars is really fun and is another gratifying element I enjoy about building. I have included a figure from a fine art painting into the head stock, made from abalone and pearl as a surprise for a client (his own artwork). A Microbiology professional got a small strand of DNA on his 12th fret. My Dad, a navy retiree, got a ship’s wheel inlayed into the headstock of his acoustic. I like to inlay pearl inside of f-holes so there’s a little secret in there for the player to see. That’s the best part. It is a way to connect players to their instruments.