Luthier John Kinnaird shapes sound and style.
As a master luthier with more than 40 years of experience, John Kinnaird has one goal: to craft a guitar that looks as stunning as it sounds. “My building style is such that I have the flexibility to respond to particular aesthetic requests and to make a guitar that meets and exceeds the sonic demands of my clients,” he shares on his website. According to the craftsman, his journey into guitar-making began in the early 1970s after visiting the shop of legendary Georgia luthier Jay Rhyne. “Never before had I even considered that guitar-making could be an art form that transcended what was produced in guitar factories,” says Kinnaird. “Of course, I was hooked on the idea of making instruments and set out on what has been a lifelong endeavor.” Today, Kinnaird works out of his Swannanoa shop, where he creates guitars using steel strings and a variety of woods, including mahogany, Brazilian rosewood, maple, walnut, and cherry. Aesthetically, the artist says his guitars hold “true to the instrument’s heritage.” Sonically, they exceed expectations. “I want the player to feel like the guitar anticipates their wishes and becomes an extension of their creative urges,” he says. “I want the guitar to be loud when played hard without losing its sweetness and to be responsive to the lightest touch.”
John Kinnaird, Swannanoa. See johnkinnairdguitars.com.