The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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April 28, 2006

Workin' in Wood

By C.L. Garvin

lu·thi·er | n. — One that makes or repairs stringed instruments, such as guitars.





Acoustic guitars have always been a point of fascination for me. I suppose it comes from my father who, when I was small, played for me on his Gibson J-50 (see photo). And maybe his fascination comes from his father who also played. I had the chance recently to photograph a friend of mine, Andrew Adkins, who not only plays the guitar, he plays one he built himself.



Growing up in Summersville, Andrew was greatly influenced by his grandfather’s love of music. He decided he wanted to explore the challenges of building a high-end guitar. After a successful attempt, he continually honed his craft until more than 40 instruments later he found himself ready to open a music store in his new hometown of Fayetteville. He and his wife Amy will soon open Leland Guitars, named after his grandfather Leland Pete Adkins.





About the author and photographer



Chuck Garvin has been a full-time photographer for The Register-Herald since 1995 and plays guitar in the bluegrass band Shawvers Crossing. He and his wife Jennifer have three daughters Sarah, Katie Jo and Abby.

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