Dan's Acoustic Guitar Build Part 1/5 With Master Luthier Jonny Kinkead

I'm documenting this acoustic guitar build from scratch, so let’s get started!

Life too short for long YouTube 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.

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

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[gpm]

Besides the true craftsmanship of this humble guy I like the beautiful chaos in his workshop. Could be my kind of place.

[elusivemoose]

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!

The sides were bended on my birthday! 😍
What an absolute delight to watch such a master working… Amazing!!

[zootallures]

Gents, Please thank Jonny, on all our behalf, for allowing Dan to record and present this process. THIS is what legends are made of!!

[Fret-knot]

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!

[karllongbottomguitars]

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.

[erajad]

We've been waiting for the video every since the epic "vlog" when Red and Blue were refretted. STOKED!

[benfordguitars]

Jonny has a great acoustic guitar building book. Everyone should buy it whether your planning on building a guitar or not.

[jerrykosak]

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.

[mattheweastel]

I think this is one of the best videos I’ve ever watched on YouTube, I had chills. It was an incredible process to watch and so cool to see those old hand tools!

[scottw]

Awesome. I've been wanting to see Mr. Kincaid again for a while now. Thanks for this, Dan. Enjoy that beautiful guitar.

[bubbaw]

Dan your enthusiasm for life, guitar and music is such an inspiration to me. "OH, WOW!!" puts a smile on my face every time :)

[michaelruiz]

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!

[jt]

Waiting to watch these all in series this weekend! I has excite!

[jejmoss]

Fascinating video. Love how all the processes are intricate and then random items like clothes pegs are being used. A real labour of love.

[colaboytje]

This is craftmanship at it's best. It looks messy but I'm sure he knows exactly where everything is placed.

[chevalking]

Fantastic stuff Dan! I loved the episode about the tele and strat refret a few years ago with Johnny, and this is even better! Thank you.

[jonhughes]

I bought Jonny's book (Build Your Own Acoustic Guitar) years ago but haven't build one yet, although I have done a few electrics. It's great to see what he is describing in the book, and is inspiring me to get my arse in gear and build an acoustic.

[guitarsimon]

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.

[zootallures]

Dan, assuming Part 2 will show the completion of this beauty, PLEASE make a Part 3 with you in the TPS shed playing it in front of the camera! Your sneak-preview on the last Q&A is making us drool…..need more!!