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Waylin Carpenter has been building custom, classical guitars in his home workshop in Sacramento since 2000. Carpenter makes 5-, 6- and 7-string guitars, and each can take 150 to 200 hours to complete.

Waylin Carpenter has been building custom, classical guitars in his home workshop in Sacramento since 2000. Carpenter makes 5-, 6- and 7-string guitars, and each can take 150 to 200 hours to complete.

Carpenter is about to finish his 20th guitar. For now, he commissions about three per year, but eventually he would like to sell his custom printing shop, West Coast Decal on Roseville Road in Sacramento, to make guitars full time.

Carpenter is about to finish his 20th guitar. For now, he commissions about three per year, but eventually he would like to sell his custom printing shop, West Coast Decal on Roseville Road in Sacramento, to make guitars full time.

In 2002, Carpenter met local musician Matthew Grasso at a Sacramento Guitar Society performance. Grasso examined Carpenter’s second guitar, listened to the tones and offered feedback on how Carpenter could make it better. Since then, Carpenter takes every craft he makes he makes to Grasso who analyzes, listens and critiques each guitar.

In 2002, Carpenter met local musician Matthew Grasso at a Sacramento Guitar Society performance. Grasso examined Carpenter’s second guitar, listened to the tones and offered feedback on how Carpenter could make it better. Since then, Carpenter takes every craft he makes he makes to Grasso who analyzes, listens and critiques each guitar.

Carpenter was inspired early on by the sounds of The Beatles. “I remember listening to the classical guitar when I was a kid and I just loved it,” he says.

Carpenter was inspired early on by the sounds of The Beatles. “I remember listening to the classical guitar when I was a kid and I just loved it,” he says.

His construction skills came from woodworking courses he took in high school. Carpenter calls the completion of his first 5-string classical guitar a “happy accident.”

His construction skills came from woodworking courses he took in high school. Carpenter calls the completion of his first 5-string classical guitar a “happy accident.”

Shortly after his daughter was born in 2000, Carpenter decided he needed a hobby. While most of Carpenter’s free time is now dedicated to building guitars for clients, he still picks up his old electric guitar to play from time to time.

Shortly after his daughter was born in 2000, Carpenter decided he needed a hobby. While most of Carpenter’s free time is now dedicated to building guitars for clients, he still picks up his old electric guitar to play from time to time.

Strings that Sing

Waylin Carpenter crafts guitars that are built to last

Back SNAP Sep 12, 2014 By Mia Lopez

 

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