In a western Montana wilderness paradise full of rushing rivers, plentiful wildlife, and timbered forests, some may be more than a bit surprised to find a craftsman making stringed musical instruments. However, eight miles east of Alberton, off a dusty, remote country road, there is a luthier named John Walker doing just that – one string and fret board at a time.
John Walker Guitars, Alberton, Montana
Walker has been hand-building fine flat top acoustic guitars from this location since 2005. The names of the models that he creates -- such as Gus Creek, Lolo Creek, Clark Fork and The Ruby -- derive from the rippling rivers and rolling creeks that this uncommon architect enjoys and loves.
The elite Lolo Creek model is reminiscent of guitars built in the 1930s and early 1940s, with several more options incorporated into its design. It’s a shallow-bodied guitar with a rollicking sound and colorful components, including Sitka spruce wood, red spruce bracing, and a hard maple rift sawn bridge plate.
Part-artisan, part-machinist, part-mechanic, John Walker spends dozens and dozens of hours building one guitar, by first tracing it for perfect symmetry, then drawing and transferring its outline, and then cutting and molding and sanding its wooden body.
“I have developed a couple of models that span a wide array of players’ preferences," says Walker during our interview in his Alberton studio. He points to one of his more elaborate offerings – a new, unnamed model that is stylish and distinct, blending both maple and Honduran rosewood.
Walker’s background in the acoustic instrument industry dates back more than 20 years. Indeed, acknowledgments for John Walker include being written about in a pair of vanguard guitar-related publications: Gibson's Fabulous Flat-Top Guitars, co-authored by Eldon Whitford, David Vinopal and Dan Erlewine and Gibson Guitars, and 100 Years of an American Icon, by Walter Carter.
Montana Guitar Maker
In terms of describing his pathway in life, there’s almost no other way of defining the learned John Walker: he’s a linear luthier who has gained invaluable experience studying the innovative and meticulous actions of some of the best masterminds of the guitar-making trade.
Walker’s calling to the craft started at the Flatiron Mandolin and Banjo Company in Bozeman back in the 1980s.
After a couple of years, Walker transitioned to the Gibson Montana Division, also located in Bozeman, where he studied the skills of building flat-top acoustic guitars. During his tenure at Gibson Montana, he also helped develop the business’ custom shop.
John Walker Guitars
At the end of 1995, Walker left Gibson Guitars and relocated in Seattle to work for Tacoma Guitars, where he had the opportunity to work diligently for long hours with Michael Gurian, a famous guitar builder noted in the industry for his instrumental innovation.
In 2001, Walker accepted the opportunity to work alongside Steve Andersen, a man famed for his fine arch top guitars as well as mandolin creations. Indeed, such slogging has paid appreciable dividends; today, John Walker can tell a guitar made of Sitka spruce from one made of Engelmann spruce just by the distinct sound each finished instrument delivers.
Even though he strives steadfastly to do his very best, Walker understands that perfection is hypothetical and abstract and will always remain just beyond reach. “Continuous improvement is a more reasonable objective,” he says.
Oddly, or perhaps not, Walker’s love of guitar music and guitar building doesn’t extend into the realm of self-taught musical proficiency.
“I play enough to know if an instrument is right or complete. See, my job is to build a fine quality instrument that you love to play, not me.”
Brian D'Ambrosio - Brian D'Ambrosio is the author of more than 500 published articles and seven books, including From Haikus to Hatmaking: A Year in the Life ...
