DOC Clapton's Guitar: Watching Wayne Henderson Build the Perfect Instrument by Allen St. John in Arts-Photography

Description

In 1994; Eric Clapton came across a Wayne Henderson guitar in a recording studio and decided on the spot that he had to have one. Rarer than Stradivarius violins; these musical works of art are built from near-extinct Brazilian Rosewood; Appalachian spruce; black ebony; and fine mother-of-pearl. With Hendersons keen ear for the vibrations of each piece of wood he uses; each note that comes out of them has the power of a cannon and the sweetness of maple syrup. In Claptons Guitar; Allen St. John recounts how a perfect acoustic guitar comes into the world and how an artist gauges perfection. Wayne Henderson; master luthier and genius in blue jeans; will tell you that he simply puts penknife to wood and carves away "everything that isnt a guitar." This is the story of a master artist; set deep in the mountains of southwestern Virginia in a brick; one-story guitar shop; as busy and chaotic inside as it is simple outside. The space is well-lighted; cluttered with power tools; air hoses; and guitar bodies in various stages of completion. It is in this modest shop that Wayne Henderson crafts some of the most highly coveted acoustic guitars on earth; including one very special instrument he built for Eric Clapton. Normally; there is a ten-year wait for a Henderson guitar; and St. John finds there are no exceptions even for an iconic figure like Clapton. But seeing it as a shortcut to getting his own guitar done; St. John jump-starts the process; and then takes readers with him on a mesmerizing journey into the heart of high-end instrument making with the man The Washington Post calls the "Mad Scientist of Mountain Music." Henderson; a small-town wise man; is not only the star of this book as a master guitar maker but also is the star of any stage he sets foot on as a master guitar player; equally at home at Carnegie Hall or the local VFW hall. Around this drolly humorous man circulates a small coterie of colorful characters and inspired musicians; who welcome you for an all-too-brief visit. By books end; you too will want to be Wayne Hendersons friend. In a rich tapestry of folklore and folksiness; St. John tells the story of building the Clapton guitar in loving detail; from the centuries-old forests where great tonewood grows; to the auction floor of Christies where one of Claptons guitars commands over $700;000. Its also a loving look at Waynes corner of the world; the Blue Ridge mountain hamlets where American traditional music was born; and of Waynes hometown of Rugby; Virginia; population 7; where the winding roads have kept progress at bay. Whether you love old-time music; unplugged rock; traditional American craftsmanship; or simply gifted storytelling; Claptons Guitar is an engaging work that you will want to savor and share with friends.