Building perfection one guitar at a time

Jamie Kinscherff is a craftsman in its truest form, a luthier by trade, a builder of stringed instruments. He builds guitars, handmade, crafted guitars of the finest wood in the world. This is no factory guitar and guitarists rave about the sound that comes out of a Kinscherff guitar.

Kinscherff fits right in on the outskirts of Driftwood. Not much civilization around, and a nice and quiet atmosphere to build guitars. Getting to his “factory” is a journey, a hold your breath and go very slow, type of journey to get to his place. But once there and with a little conversation, the magic of building a guitar, a work of art, is uncovered.

A Texan, “an army brat” attended college part-time in San Diego, California and worked part time at a cabinet shop in 1978. “I made two of these (guitars) and looked to get hired at Taylor Guitars,” now a big name in guitars, but back then only known by a few.

He got a job there, learned a lot, moved back to Texas in 1980, then returned in 1987 to work again at Taylor, “for three years, since 1990 been here. First off South First Street near Slaughter in South Austin…In 1999 I moved to Wimberley and lived on the Old Glory Ranch. I made a few electric guitars somewhere in the late 80s, but factory electric guitars sound pretty darn incredible. I knew I could make a better acoustic guitar,” Kinscherff said.

While staring at Central Texas bridges he got an idea. The braces had holes in them, which makes them stronger and lighter. “Makes them more efficient and lighter, they’re used by many, now.”

Timothy B. Schmidt of the Eagles rock group is one of his more famous customers. “So far I’ve made almost 400 (guitars) by myself.” He used to shoot for one guitar a month, but now it is down to six a year.

Exotic woods from around the world are used in his guitars. In fact, a special Brazilian wood he uses is from beams in the demolition of buildings, as that wood is protected by law but can be repurposed and sold. Exotic woods like mahogany for the neck, Alaskan Sitka spruce, rosewood, and hardwoods from around the world are used.

The lacquer finish used is also special. It allows the guitar to breathe. “The finish has to be perfect.” He is noted for the inlaid wood barbed wire motif around the sound hole, sort of a trademark. “Barbed wire motif, a western motif, I’ll make whatever anybody wants.”

A few pointers for guitar owners: Don’t let water dry on your guitar. Blot the water off as soon as possible. And to clean your guitar, Kinscherff used Turtle wax car wax.

As for his personal life, he met his wife, Martha when her guitar needed work. When he had finished, she liked what he had done so she commissioned a guitar and that was the start of making beautiful music together. (Couldn’t help it.)

His guitars are works of art and a joy to look at and admire. Craftsman that he is, he is rightfully proud of each and every guitar he produces. On his website, pictures of his old factory at Canyon Lake have not been updated as he has moved to his present location.

As for a production, he is planning to make his chicken coop his one-man production facility, but for now he does his wood cutting outside when the weather allows. Working by himself using his own plans, he quietly builds quality and craftsmanship in each of his products. It’s his dream job and the only boss is himself.

For more information on Kinscherff guitars, see his website at: kinscherff.com