Today we’d like to introduce you to Spencer White.
Hi Spencer, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started building guitars in 2017 or so. I had started doing some woodworking a couple years before and had a friend who was doing some guitar builds as well, so I figured why not give it a shot? I started out building just the bodies, buying necks and asking for help from friends all the time. Since then I’ve continued to hone my craft and I am growing a bit more confident with each build.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Guitar building, like so many other crafts, is a monstrous pile of trial and error. I make mistakes all the time– though I’m pleased to say I’m making fewer mistakes now than before– and more often than not I’m able to correct them as well! The burn pile of mistake wood grows a little smaller each time.
I’ve found that mistakes can also lead to discovery. One of my “signature” models– it still feels very “guitar company” to use that term– was a happy mistake where I used two different templates while sketching out a guitar: thus, the “Skinny Strat” was born!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
“Don’t quit your day job”– I’m pleased nobody has ever bluntly told me this regarding my work, but I am still a teacher by day. I work in a really cool language immersion school. Would I quit and do this full time though? Absolutely! It would be a dream job!
For Blankc Guitars, I specialize in natural finishes and exotic woods. The bigger guys have swamp ash, alder, and roasted pine taken care of. I like to use exotic woods from all over– monkeypod, sapele, redheart, purpleheart, makora, etc.– and do a hand-rubbed finish. I really prefer to leave some imperfections, too! Knots, worminess, and the occasional saw bite add both a natural and a manmade character often absent in other guitars. I also love to work with pickup builders who operate out of tiny little shops like mine. Anytime I can shoot a text, tell them about what I’d like, and Venmo an order, I’m a happy guy. The genuinely personal touch is really what I’m all about!
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Regarding guitar playing, I remember reading about all the famous guys’ custom guitars and modifications and learning that I, too, could customize a guitar…and not just with stickers from punk bands I loved!
Pricing:
- Most signature guitars range between 600-800
- Custom work is usually 500 for labor, plus parts
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blankc.pythonanywhere.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blankc_guitars/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/blankcguitars
- Other: @blankcguitars.bsky.social
