Amongst the pleasures of working at Dream Guitars, is the frequent opportunity it affords to speak with the most talented luthiers on the planet. To a guitar freak like me, these folks are real heros and celebrities, bigger than movie stars. I’m obsessed with them — though I do draw the line at having a fanboy pin-up poster of Bill Tippin on my garage wall. (Sorry Bill).
Sorry Bill.
Kevin Chubbuck holding his outstanding hollowbody electric guitar.
So when I get the chance to have an extended conversation about tone wood or bracing patterns with one of my heroes, I’m in six-string heaven.
Over the past few months I’ve had several opportunities to speak with a great new builder that you may not yet be familiar with. His name is Kevin Chubbuck, the one man dynamo behind Chubbuck Guitars. Write that down, because it’s a name you’ll want to remember.
Kevin brings a unique perspective and discerning sensibilities to the craft of guitar building. After several years of honing his advanced skills at the Santa Cruz Guitar Company, he moved East to the beautiful city of Marblehead Massachusetts, where he works side by side with the aforementioned, and always affable Mr. Tippin.
Thus far, Dream Guitars has had the honor of hosting two of Kevin’s instruments – each a real beauty. His basic acoustic model is called the Rogue, a small bodied guitar with refined, graceful lines and a nuanced voice.
Kevin Chubbuck's amazing Rogue Guitar.
The Chubbuck Rogue Headstock.
The Rogue is an extremely fine fingerstyle guitar, but it also has the headroom of a larger instrument – making it an excellent choice for rhythm playing, and flatpicking single lines too. This guitar is no one trick pony.
Kevin Chubbuck is a guitar star on the rise, and I hope you get a chance to test drive one of his finely tuned acoustic guitars. Once word gets out, these guitars will be in high demand.
Players Say: "What a staggering collection."
I just witnessed Dream Guitars in Asheville NC. What a staggering collection. Vintage instruments I’d always wanted to try – guitars by contemporary luthiers we read about – exotic masterpieces – they had the lot. I soon realised that manager, Paul Heumiller knew every detail of every guitar right down to the bridge pins, he is an authority on historical instruments and he plays himself. All presented in a friendly atmosphere, and after about 5 cups of tea, I was forced to leave the showroom thanks to Asheville airport. I may have to change my flight details next time!