Guitar maker Alex Hunkins will display an array of his handcrafted stringed instruments—in various stages of production—at 5 Corners Café in Old Forge on Friday, June 6 as the First Friday Art Walk series kicks-off for the season.
Hunkins has been handcrafting guitars for the past five years, a career that was sparked by an early-age fascination with his father’s 1968 Gibson ES330, a knack for woodworking, and a challenge from a friend.
An Old Forge native, the 2008 Town of Webb School graduate became interested in woodworking while a student at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse where he apprenticed at a local woodshop and learned to build cabinetry.
In 2009, he was challenged by friend and musician Derek Leach to combine his woodworking skills and love of his father’s classic guitar and build him an electric guitar.
The self-taught artisan accepted the offer and went to work.
Upon presenting the finished piece to his friend—who received it with a favorable review—Hunkins decided to fine-tune his abilities.
So in 2011, he enrolled at Atlanta Guitar Works, a Snellville, GA-based school that offers instruction on guitar building and repair.
He graduated as a professional luthier—an individual who repairs and crafts string instruments—and returned to Old Forge where he set up shop on the Glenmore Rd. in the Big Moose area.
He’s been busy ever since. To date, of the 11 guitars he has completed, eight have been purchased and are getting played on the road—including his inaugural achievement.
Hunkins said it takes approximately 150 hours to build his instruments.
Keeping traditional construction in mind, each is uniquely designed, painstakingly carved, and inlaid with a variety of woods.
With demand picking up, he has moved his shop, Hunkins Guitars, to Thendara where he is currently working on 10 new instruments.
When not working at his studio, Hunkins takes the opportunity to network at music festivals and repair instruments for performing artists.
More information about Hunkins Guitars can be found at hunkinsguitars.com or by calling (315) 369-8992.