Introducing Evan Kingma's First Guitar Built for GSI

We’re excited to show you some sneak peek photos of a guitar by Canadian luthier Evan Kingma. This will be Evan's first instrument featured in our store!

Evan learned his craft in Granada, Spain, under the guidance of luthier Stephen Hill. While apprenticing in the heart of Spanish guitar-making, he refined his skills in traditional Spanish construction, building Hill's 2a models and even becoming the first apprentice to assist in crafting his Master Model guitars.

Now working independently in Canada, Evan brings his own artistic vision to his instruments. His first guitar for GSI features a spruce top paired with stunning ziricote back and sides. Evan draws significant inspiration from Japanese culture and philosophy, which has shaped his approach as a luthier. His first five guitars, built under his own name, were inspired by The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi, with each instrument reflecting one of the five themes: Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Emptiness (or Void).  The concept of “Emptiness”, symbolizing human knowledge and wisdom, represents the culmination of Evan's early experiences as a luthier and "Emptiness" featured a 6-fan asymmetrical bracing system that Evan himself developed. Over time, with small tweaks, this bracing has become his standard design which we can also see in our new instrument.

Evan’s waitlist stretches over five years, so we’re thrilled to see this guitar in our store. In his own words, Evan strives to create guitars that are not just instruments but works of art, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern sensibilities. He places as much importance on the feel and look of his guitars as he does on their sound.

Keep an eye out for this extraordinary guitar, and don’t miss the sneak peek photos below.