This February I received an archtop guitar made by Danny Koentopp. I first contacted Danny about building a guitar for me in November of 2016 after hearing Bobby Broom’s guitar at the Vermont Jazz Center. Bobby is an inimitable musician and one of the most accomplished guitarists alive on Earth today and his guitar had a similar mystique. The instrument had a simple and handmade appearance, it wasn’t too shiny, and the sounds emanating from the stage were uncanny. It was unquestionably Bobby Broom’s sound coming out of the guitar but the guitar was playing a supportive role as it seemingly melted into the master’s hands. It appeared not as an object to be confronted and tamed but as a transparent conduit catalyzing musical expression.
After Danny received my email, we had a chat on the phone later that same day. We talked about many things and it was a comfortable conversation and very enjoyable. Danny was humble and obviously driven by passion and love for what he does. I had chatted with other luthiers that claimed their guitars would make the player sound like Joe Pass or Wes and would elevate one’s playing to greater highs of technical wizardry and creative brilliance, all the while fronting the allure of exclusivity and sowing seeds of lustful materialism. In those conversations I was left feeling disconnected and empty as though I had been subjected to a live infomercial. Danny was the complete opposite: down to earth, curious, open, and personal. He doesn’t have any delusions of grandeur and works in service to the craft and to the creative impulse in general.
The special spruce top
Danny wanted to know about me as a guitarist, the music I love, and the general spirit behind the music I make. I was happy to share my favorite albums and to talk about guitarists that inspire me and even to discuss particular guitars that I’ve encountered in the hands of fellow guitarists. It struck me that Danny wanted to know these details and that he wanted to infuse a personality into the guitar he was going to build for me. I had first reached out to Danny because his guitars already contained so much of what I was looking for in an instrument. I had some requests regarding neck profile, radius, size, tail-piece design, finish and aesthetic, all of which suggested a direction, but left the heart of the guitar in Danny’s hands, I did not want to meddle with the deep mechanics that he knows so much better than I ever will. As he started building the guitar, Danny kept me in the loop and sent pictures and continued asking questions. Part of building an amazing instrument is working with the finest ingredients. Of particular interest to me was the top, an antique piece of spruce finding a new beginning in my guitar having already lived one life as a support for an Alaskan bridge.
One of the pictures that was very exciting to receive
Danny’s work exudes the rare quality of an artist that has spent years learning the tradition of his craft and of necessity unbinds himself from the restraints of his masters to find his own voice. His guitars embody this bold experience, informed and traditional yet uniquely personal. It is the connection with the raw materials and his knowledge of the trade, combined with his unique attention to the player that really sets his guitars apart. The instrument he made for me is an implement of artistic creation and a work of art itself. It’s been in my hands for about three months now and I’ve really just scratched the surface but I know that it will change and develop with age and with use. I’m certain that I too will age and grow with this guitar and though I’m not in any rush to put on more years, I am looking forward to the music I am yet to make with this beautiful instrument.
Not my normal playing style at all but Josh caught this moment on the evening that I first played my guitar from Dan Koentopp.
Check out Dan Koentopp’s guitars at his website: Koentoppguitars.com
Watch me play the first tune I wrote on my Koentopp guitar: Paper Crane