2024 Andy Culpepper w/pegs CD/CY

Prior to building, Andy started to play classical guitar as a teenager, and later transitioned into flamenco - he even studied flamenco in Spain and has since done a good amount of performing - solo, accompanying and dance. As with many luthiers, Andy's first guitar was to build himself an instrument to play on but after showing the guitar around, he began getting orders, and so eventually decided to become a full-time luthier. His formal studies were done with Richard Cogger, a classical and flamenco guitar maker in Ithaca. Andy shared work space with him for a couple of years before establishing his own shop where he continues to work today. So his guitars are truly a "players" instrument, very easy to play and responsive to both the left and right hands.

This guitar is rooted in traditional Spanish aesthetics and sound, crafted to satisfy the modern concert flamenco guitarist. Andy cites Felipe Conde and Marcelo Barbero as the two primary inspirations behind the build of this instrument. It has an ultra-lightweight feel, with a big explosive attack followed by a rich sound of big overtones in every note. It has plenty of power, clarity, openness, and separation to fill a concert hall, but also has a beautiful voice that makes it hard to put down. The mechanical pegs tune just like machines but have the look of the "old school" aesthetic. The sound is loud and powerful, with a very snappy response, and the colorful character that cedar can bring. A stand-out instrument from a very interesting and talented US maker whom we've been delighted to work with for many years now!

Photos of this guitar taken during construction (and short video of Andy demonstrating the guitar)

Andy Culpepper is a very talented US luthier who builds an exceptionally well-made instrument, firmly rooted in the traditional Spanish style. Andy believes that the best guitars are still modeled on the designs and ideas of Antonio de Torres (1817-1892) and admires him for his constant experimenting with different ideas. Andy prefers also to work in a traditional manner - very few power tools, and as much by hand as possible to achieve the maximum amount of control over the quality of his work. His guitars are assembled by first joining the neck to the top to precisely establish the center line of the guitar. This assembly is placed face down on a solera, or workboard, and the sides are slotted into the heel block, and glued to the top with individual glue blocks called tentalones. Finally the back is fitted and the box is closed. The bridge is glued on before finishing, because Andy likes to play all of his guitars "in the white" and refine the voice by sanding the top if necessary. Finally, the entire guitar is finished in French polish of shellac, applied completely by hand with the traditional muñeca, or cloth pad.