I want to share with you the story of my new guitar.  In December of 2005 I did an evening of music and reflection in Baltimore.  On Sunday morning, after the concert, one of the singers from the parish drove me to the airport.  On the way he told me, if I was willing, that he’d like to build me a guitar.  I think I must have sat there in stunned silence for a few moments wondering whether I heard him correctly.

I learned that Dave MacCubbin was a luthier, a maker of hand-crafted guitars.  It was not his primary profession, but a beloved passion that he pursued in his spare time.  He'd studied with a master luthier in Massachusetts to learn this craft. I had seen several of Dave’s guitars earlier that weekend as he'd offered to let me use one for the concert.  They were beautiful instruments, obviously created with great care in every detail.  The sound was beautiful, clear and warm.  So when I agreed to take Dave up on his offer, I knew that he would put his heart and soul into creating an instrument I would be happy with.

For six months Dave and I communicated via email about every detail.  From the beginning he wanted me to be a part of the process.  What kind of wood? What shape for the body and neck? What kind of tuning machines? What design for the rosette and other trim?  When I didn't know what I wanted, he guided me and made suggestions.  All along the way he consulted with me and kept me abreast of his progress by sending me photos via email.

In June, Dave and his wife, Claire,  traveled to California for vacation and brought the completed guitar with them.  I could see the pride in his eyes when he handed me the case for the first time.  What I found inside far exceeded my expectation of what this new instrument might be.  The woods we chose are exquisitely beautiful, and the abalone inlays are so lovely and refined.  The rosette surrounding the sound hole is simple and elegant.  The workmanship is nothing less than astounding.

Then I picked up the instrument to play for the first time.  The first thing I noticed was that it sounded different than my thirty-five year old Martin D-28.  I was startled at first but continued to let the new sound play into my ears.  As I played and listened I began to notice a very lovely combination of warmth and clarity.  It didn't take me long to come to love the richness of the sound.  Now I find that when I go back to my Martin after playing the new guitar,  the old instrument sounds muffled.  The string action on the new guitar is like butter and playing is nearly effortless.  Needless to say, I am thrilled and deeply grateful to Dave for his gracious offer and the many hours he spent in his workshop creating this instrument that carries inside it both his and my spirit.

The slideshow on this page are photos of the instrument Dave MacCubbin made for me.  Please check out Dave’s website.  For anyone who might be interested in a custom-made guitar, I assure you that you’ll not be disappointed.  Learn more at www.maccubbinguitars.com.

CONTINUE TOUR