Wayne C. Henderson

[dmb66]

So I was talking to a good friend of mine about her family reunion she returned from and it turns out she learned there that she is related to Wayne Henderson.

I had never heard of him, but she gave me the book "Clapton's Guitar" which is written about him.

It turns out this guy is one of the best luthiers in the world. He lives in very rural Rugby, VA and has a ten year waiting list for one of his guitars. And, as the book title may have indicated, he built two acoustics for Eric Clapton, and even he had to wait ten years to get his guitars. Wayne also has a huge festival on Father's Day weekend every year near Rugby and the winners of the guitar competition get a Henderson Guitar. Wayne tours all over the world playing with some amazing musicians as well.

According to the book, he has only built around 350-400 guitars to date (started at age 14). I'm wondering if anyone here has heard of him or is lucky enough to have played or own a Henderson Guitar. I'm really thinking about getting on the waiting list now, and saving up in the meantime.

Anyone heard of him? I suggest checking out the book if you are interested.

[taylordb]

I've heard of him. I've looked thru the book and its pretty cool. It has tons of photos. The most interesting thing about it, to me anyway, is how humble his lifestyle seems to be. No flashy house or cars. Just a guy interested in making a great guitar.
I didn't know he toured though.

[sfmartins]

I've heard of him. I've looked thru the book and its pretty cool. It has tons of photos. The most interesting thing about it, to me anyway, is how humble his lifestyle seems to be. No flashy house or cars. Just a guy interested in making a great guitar.
I didn't know he toured though.

Are there any pics of his guitars?

[taylordb]

Here is something I dug up with a simple Google search. On this page you can click on the photos section and there are a few pictures of him and others.

http://www.roanoke.com/multimedia/crooked/grayson.html

[sfmartins]

Here is something I dug up with a simple Google search. On this page you can click on the photos section and there are a few pictures of him and others.

http://www.roanoke.com/multimedia/crooked/grayson.html

Thanks for the link. Should've searched myself...

There are some cool pics in there. Like said, seems like a perfectly humble guy...

[mattinbeloit]

I listened to one that a guy owned at a jam I went to. It was an OM size I think, sounded really good. That's the only one I have ever seen.

[dmb66]

hmm. I just read a part that said he played Carnegie Hall. Sounds like he's an ok player to me too.

By the way, I'm making plans to attend the festival next year and meet him (and maybe get on his waitlist).

He sells his guitars for around 1500 bucks. Quite meager in the grand scheme of things. One of his resold for 100,000. Good investment opportunity at worst.

[taylordb]

Where did you get your figures on how much his guitars sell for? i find that very hard to believe. The man may be humble and all, but he certainly cannot be stupid (in business). Anyone with a 10 year waiting list and his talent would not sell a handmade guitar for around the same price as a D-28.

Not trying to be argumentative at all....just find that very hard to believe.

[dmb66]

All the numbers I quoted are in the book "Clapton's Guitar: Watching Wayne Henderson Build the Perfect Instrument" by Allen St. John.

Basically, it's where I've gotten all my previous information in this entire thread with the exception of my good friend from high school, who as I mentioned before, recently met him at a family reunion and learned that she is a cousin of Wayne's.

I was floored when I read 1500, too. The book was published in 2005, so I assume he hasn't raised his prices much if at all. Of course I guess the book would have given him a reason to do so, since it would have drawn more attention to him. But, the author's descripton and my friend's both indicate he is a really humble man who doesn't place much emphasis on money.

-Nick