Dan's Acoustic Guitar Build Part 1/5 With Master Luthier Jonny Kinkead
Vložit
- čas přidán 4. 06. 2024
- I'm documenting this acoustic guitar build from scratch, so let’s get started!
Life too short for long CZcams videos? Please see the ‘Interesting bits and go-to sections’ information below.
Dan here, hello! I've been lusting after one of Jonny Kinkead’s acoustic guitars for nearly two decades… and in 2018 the order finally went in. Lucky for us, Jonny was kind enough to give me permission to document the entire process, giving us all the opportunity to watch a master craftsman build the instrument from scratch.
Jonny has been making guitars by hand for over 40 years, so please enjoy this rare glimpse into the world of a master guitar maker.
This is Part One of five.
Part Two: • Dan's Acoustic Guitar ...
Part Three: • Dan's Acoustic Guitar ...
Part Four: • Dan's Acoustic Guitar ...
For more on Jonny and his instruments, visit www.kinkadeguitars.co.uk/
Q: Why are you spelling Jonny’s name ‘Kinkead’?
A: Because that’s his name! The guitars are ‘Kinkade’, Jonny is ‘Kinkead’. He chose ‘Kinkade’ for the guitars because nobody could spell ‘Kinkead’ correctly.
Interesting bits and go-to sections…
0:00 Meet Johnny Kinkead
1:00 Revisiting 2018 when the order went in
1:52 Details of the guitar Dan has ordered, a Kingsdown model
4:05 History of the Kingsdown model
5:52 It’s all about the wood
8:00 Why we like quarter-sawn
10:30 Different grades of timber
11:19 The body mould
11:49 The wood for my guitar
13:11 Book matched timber
14:10 Preparing the top
15:40 Joining the top
17:30 Caveman’s clamp
20:50 Preparing the timber for the neck
22:20 Bending the sides
26:40 Starting with the waist
27:30 Steaming the side
32:10 Making a smooth curve
33:18 Fitting the side into the mould
34:10 Jonny’s hi-tech waist expanders
35:10 The sides in the mould
36:00 A quick look at kerfing
36:45 Soundboard and back ready for cutting
40:30 Looking at the rosette
41:30 Choosing the ebony fingerboard
42:10 Sticking the kerfing to the sides
44:25 Stick it on proud, then trim it back
47:15 Why the sides aren’t parallel
49:00 Imperial or metric?
49:50 Soundboard with rosette
51:15 The prepared back
52:10 Feathering the edge of the soundboard
53:50 Cutting out the soundboard
55:20 Cutting out the back
You can buy TPS merch to support our efforts www.thatpedalshowstore.com
We are on Patreon - crowdfunding for creatives
/ thatpedalshow
Please visit our preferred retailers!
UK & Europe: Andertons Music bit.ly/2cRvIvt
Australia: Pedal Empire bit.ly/2mWmJQf
That Pedal Shop! www.thatpedalshop.com - Hudba
![Dan & Mick's Latest Rigs For Gigs [Pedalboards, Amps & Guitars]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wglAUhovEDg/mqdefault.jpg)
All self-centered questions and remarks aside, this is a charming piece of history documented in film about a craftsman at the top of his game and what a charming fellow he is too. I really enjoyed watching it and look forward to the next installments. In this case, life is not 'too short for long CZcams videos' indeed more is more, much more!
Awesome luthier...so many years of experience . 534 guitars built by HAND....so few builders at this man's level of craftsmanship ....
What an absolute treat to watch! I love when you all get Jonny on the show. I could watch him work and talk about his craft for hours on end. Thank you for sharing!
Me too. I'd watch shows on Jonny K. He is just a Phenomenal builder. It's amazing the amount of work . . . that goes into it. The end-product is Worth Every Penny.
I think this video has broken CZcams. I can’t find the comments telling him what he’s doing wrong…. Seriously though i loved every second of it. Best thing I’ve watched all Christmas. Thank you for doing this Jonny.
I like that the auto generated captions said welcome to that puddle show lol!!
Like many here l have waited for these videos to appear. Jonnys workshop reminds me of exploring/snooping in my grandfather’s shed as a kid discovering tools and things in wonder.
Though to watch the process of Dans baby being made l started feel a little dirty, knowing that he was filming every intimate act with it😉 (How lucky) l love n cherish my Santa Cruz and wish l had this documented. Enjoy and thanks again boys for your show. Cheers 🍻
What a lovely way to spend an hour on New Years day.
One of the best vlogs yet 👏 That Pedal Drinking Game: Every time Dan says "Oh wow"
Excellent ... it's refreshing to see a workshop that actually looks like a workshop :)
Dan's unbridled enthusiasm for literally everything is so damn contagious.
Am i wrong but i love watching the way he works especially the way he picks up objects and then discards them with a gentle throw and always seems so calm and precise, very theraputic to watch! A master at work!
This man is such a joy to watch
This series is utter BLISS to watch! Thank you so much for documenting it. What a thrill to see a master at work, the guitar looks beautiful.
Going through the back catalog of this channel has been such a delight, filled with joy, intrigue, and inspiration. Thank you.
Finally a workshop video where the sound of the powertools does not take your ears off
My goodness. What a treat. I’m 6-minutes in and I know I’m going to enjoy this. Thanks Dan for recording this and Jonny for sharing and being someone with patience, skill and enthusiasm. It honestly warms the heart and somehow underpins why so many of us love the guitar, it’s community and it’s craft.
What a great craftsman and person and wonderful video. Thank you.
Jonny is a gem of a man. Great show fellas. Loved this one and can’t wait for the next installment. I think this was a first for me, I watched the entire video before reading the comments or commenting myself. I really wish I could just hang out in jonnys shop all day and help him with rosettes.
Me too, i would be happy to make him a tea whenever he needed, and just sit back & watch all day.
Gentlemen that was awesome,
Johnny is so generous with his knowledge, he explains things in a very clear manner, I have his book which I used to build my acoustic and I can highly recommend it for anyone who is interested .
Happy New year.
Take a shot every time Dan says wow
The sides were bended on my birthday! 😍
What an absolute delight to watch such a master working… Amazing!!
Gents, Please thank Jonny, on all our behalf, for allowing Dan to record and present this process. THIS is what legends are made of!!
Besides the true craftsmanship of this humble guy I like the beautiful chaos in his workshop. Could be my kind of place.
alright! we struck gold again!
That spruce top has some nice silking!
Spending this time with Jonny is priceless. He's a fantastic human being.
I've been looking forward to these videos since 2 years ago!!=)
I like Dan’s repeated commentary “Oh, WOW!” “Wowwww!” “Wow!”
When you look at the price of these guitars, I think they are actually excellent value for money considering the quality of what you are getting and the craftsmanship that has gone into them.
Agree 100%. Meticulous attention-to-detail.
Wood. Grain. Natural art. This is why I have loved natural finished guitars for so long.
I’ve been stuck at home with Covid-19... I left my acoustic at the church building after Christmas thinking I’d be back shortly to pick it up. After watching this, it makes me want my Martin OM18-e in my hands so bad!
Get well soon Shane!
As someone who likes woodworking and guitar this is fantastic.
The strat and tele repair videos were such a joy, I'm very excited for this!
I switched to using watered down titebond to glue in frets after watching those videos.
It’s been a lifesaver on worn fretboards.
What a treat to start the New Year. Have a good 2022 all.
Crazy how acoustic guitars are considered to be the ‘cheaper’ instrument, considering how much more time and skill is required to make one. I always thought they were sneezed into existence by fairies, but after seeing this I now realise they’re painstakingly crafted by angels.
Jonny: Says lots of important thing about the steps necessary to build an acoustic guitar.
Dan: OH WOW!!!
It comes across loud and clear in these videos just how sweet and kind Jonny is, not to mention his immense knowledge and experience
Wow I can’t wait for part two. Oh there it is!
The craftsmen that put these things together and come up with solutions to their problems in real time are just as important as the players. This gentleman and his fellow artisans deserve all the admiration.
Thoroughly enjoying the detail and depth of explanation that Jonathan goes into. He covers all the little "traps" that I have fallen into.
Having bought the book, this brings it all into life and explains much of the detail that the book covers, but the ability to see the transformation as it happens is priceless.
Every time Dan says “Oh, Wow!” You’ve gotta drink.
What a cool fella with some serious skill! Thank you for sharing the journey of your new guitar!
51:23 That caliper is awesome!
2022 starts really nicely XD
What an absolutely lovely man Johnny is. I love whenever we get to see an episode featuring Johnny...I appreciate the behind the scenes look into his shop. It's like I can almost smell all the wood and sawdust through the screen! We need more luthiers+repairmen like Johnny K! Thank you Dan for this awesome video, we appreciate you+Mick! Cheers from the States
Jonny built my Kingsdown Custom Cutaway with Koa back & sides back in 2008. I’ve played it almost daily since then and it has become one of my most prized possessions. He also graciously provided me pictures of the build process, and a signed copy of his guitar making book. These videos are a fascinating additional insight into his build process and master craftsmanship. Hope you enjoy your guitar Dan! Mine started out great and has only gotten better and better over the years. Cheers & here’s to a happy & healthy ‘22!
Wow! The Gerard Gilet of Bristol. Great!
In bed with a cold from hell today and this is exactly the kind of easy viewing I needed. Thanks Dan and Jonny.
We've been waiting for the video every since the epic "vlog" when Red and Blue were refretted. STOKED!
Fascinating stuff. He needs as apprentice. Master Craftsman like Jonny don't grow on trees (his timber does, of course) and we need to keep these skills alive for generations to come. I love his homemade tools, his skill and his patience. Maybe these videos will be used in hundreds of year's time as a template for making great handmade guitars again, when the art has been all but forgotten!
For someone like me who moved to play 100% only acoustics about 7 months ago, this video series couldn't be more perfect. And, Jonny is just a great bloke to watch/listen to. I don't doubt for a second that his acoustics are truly wonderful guitars
Jonny is what we all aspire to be.
When I saw him start pulling the rosewood side strip against that heater core to mold its shape by hand is right when I realized why this takes forever... it was an "oh.... oh, okay" moment for me ;)
Jonny has a great acoustic guitar building book. Everyone should buy it whether your planning on building a guitar or not.
So many excited Dan sounds from behind the camera. A kid at Xmas the entire process - lovely to hear!
This is witchcraft... sorcery... absolutely magical alchemy!!
What an experience!
Been waiting for this video for ages!!
Just a thank you to Jonny and Dan for sharing this video, brilliant insight and creative expertise in action!
Dan your enthusiasm for life, guitar and music is such an inspiration to me. "OH, WOW!!" puts a smile on my face every time :)
Wonderful, what a privilege to share some time with such a gifted craftsman. Plus Dan of course :)
Every video with Jonny is a masterclass. These are handmade, beautiful instruments from a skilled luthier who clearly understands both the science and art involved in his builds. Dan, congrats in advance on your new guitar. I’m sure it’s going to be amazing! Thanks to you all for bringing us along on your journey. I learn something new from each visit with Jonny. I’m not sure if it’s his overall demeanor or speaking cadence and tone, but whatever it is, it’s like pixie dust for the soul. Best wishes to you all for a great, safe 2022 from across the pond in Texas!
I literally commented on the refret video asking about this guitar yesterday!!
I'll admit I watched the last segment first, and enjoyed it very much. But watching this one, I was just amazed at the craftsmanship Jonny displays here. I've done a fair bit of woodworking, but I've read and watched a LOT about it over the years, and Jonny obviously understands everything from the behavior of the wood fibers and their impact on tone and resonance, to the best techniques to get the most out of the wood with his tools. Very eye-opening, Dan and Mick. I hope I can grow up to be like Jonny someday. Even with limited days left. Cheers.
Ahoy there ...Oh my...greeting from Toronto. I cannot believe I found this channel. I am actually 'reading' your book right now John: "Build Your Own Acoustic Guitar Complete Instructions and Full-Size Plans."
I am currently at "The Sides" chapter. I liked the analogy in the beginning of Leonardo's statue of David. When he was asked: how could you possibly have carved a statue so magnificent as that from one block of marble? He replied: "David was already in the block. I just chipped away the excess to allow him to escape." You said and I quote - "the guitar you want to create lies within you."
Cheers guys.
I love watching craftsmen at work. Thank you for documenting this for us!
Wow ! You would not begrudge paying this chap a single penny of the price for the skill, time and craftsmanship he shows. Very therapeutic to watch. Thanks Dan for sharing
Fantastic. Jonny has transformed most of my guitars. I’m just sad that he’ll be so busy following this that I wont be able to get the others booked in any time soon. Good on you Jonny, and thank you so much! What a complete legend!
This kind of videos are a real pleasure to watch
This is craftmanship at it's best. It looks messy but I'm sure he knows exactly where everything is placed.
Looking forward to this one a lot. I’ve recently picked up a new Martin HD-28 Reimagined after playing nearly exclusively electrics for the past 10+ years. Really enlightening experience as a player.
that was a pleasure to watch... the artistry is beautiful
This stuff is absolutely fascinating! It's crazy how such a rudimentary build process, all by hand, no fancy tools, can yield such a beautiful instrument when done by the right pair of hands. Thanks a million for taking us along for the journey!
Dan, your excitement and enthusiasm shows throughout the video. It is so exciting to watch the progress of a custom made guitar. I'm glad you are working with Jonny K. because he is an artist and you are supporting what he does. You are going to love your new guitar.
Absolutely love these videos with Dan and Mr. Kinkead. Thank you for the content.
Awesome. I've been wanting to see Mr. Kincaid again for a while now. Thanks for this, Dan. Enjoy that beautiful guitar.
Watching him work is like a meditation. Thanks Dan, I really enjoyed this!
When I saw Dan strum that guitar,(2 years ago)I knew I had to get the book. Even through my computer moniters you could tell the special sound, and the look on Dans face says it all.
I also knew I would end up building one using the book to guide me, this series is a blessing as I am starting one as soon as I have extended the garage to build one in.
So exited. Been looking forward to seeing the guitar since the refret episode. Didn't know we were seeing it built! Amazing
Wow. Just want to add to the praise for Jonny. What a master of his craft, and amazing to watch his precision work.
I am certain no guitar player worth their salt wants to be disconnected from our instrument's history. Welcome innovation, but never forget where we came from. Thanks to TPS and Jonny for bridging the past to the present. Makes me feel what we do is important... even if I happen to be mediocre at it.
History being made by a master. Absolutely riveting.
Dan sounds genuinely excited at every cool thing Jonny shows him and it's awesome!
Dan I watched all of it and just want you to know, you have an entry release with a bullet with this episode and series.
Bravo!
Bravo to you and crew!
Jonny’s got The Bennnnnnnds!
Just discovered this, what a wonderful start to 2022. I am fortunate enough to own a Kinkade guitar and as so many have said he is just such a great guy. I also have his book and he has always been very kind with his advice whenever I've had any queries about guitar building,
What a way to wrap up a year.
Yes, John is prince of men, can't wait for the guitar.
I hadn't realized there were multiple parts to this - just watched the most recent first, and now coming back. Jonny's ease of working the materials is absolutely hypnotic to watch!
I think this is one of the best videos I’ve ever watched on CZcams, I had chills. It was an incredible process to watch and so cool to see those old hand tools!
More Jonny Kinkead content can only be a good thing. Have a good new year guys!
Been waiting for this 👌👌👍🏻👍🏻😁😁
Best thing I’ve seen on CZcams ever 👌 you guys need to make a series of how to videos not just guitars just make them about anything 🤣🤣. Jonny is what I would class as a legend 🤘🤘Hope the next one is on tomorrow 🤞🤞
It's a pleasure watching John work . If I'm not mistaken, he is, or used to be a member of the OLF. I have not been there in a year or more, but I believe I remember seeing his work there. Unless there is another Jonathan Kinkead building guitars. His work is a high bar to shoot for as I move from building electric guitars and into acoustic building.
Thanks for this video!
Absolutely fascinating. Didn't realise so much went into an acoustic. Real craftsmanship. Can't wait for part 2 Dan
Jonny’s rambling workshop triggers my OCD but his craftship is impeccable. Congrats Dan, what a beauty! HNY 🤓
Jonny is an absolute treasure.
Could watch this all. day. long.
Maybe I will. Thanks for sharing this!
Love this... going to Spain to build a classic Spanish guitar next year!
Fascinating video. Love how all the processes are intricate and then random items like clothes pegs are being used. A real labour of love.
Jonny is an absolute artist. That is amazing!
Congratulations on your new guitar, Dan!
Captivated!