Meet the Luthier: Kristopher Yates
Design & Build Philosophy
For every instrument I build, my two goals are to create tonal balance and to optimize ergonomics. To achieve tonal balance, there are many factors that go into making an electric guitar sound and play truly great. This includes choosing the right woods, selecting the right pickups, and ensuring the construction is solid.
The natural acoustic tone of every wood is crucial to consider during the planning process. Despite what some may say, I absolutely believe that wood selection has a significant impact on the signal traveling to the amp from an electric guitar. When it comes to construction, invisible glue lines and a tight neck pocket are a given, and “bolt on” necks should use actual bolts rather than common wood screws. Lastly, I believe in a minimal finish for the hardwoods of a guitar. Just enough to seal the wood, but not to the point that it stifles the unique voice of that particular wood choice.
Pickup selection is one of my favorite parts of the build planning process. The right pickups should do two things: They should be the final step in balancing the tone of the instrument and they should give the instrument a voice and feel that caters to the player’s musical preference.
A balanced instrument will be more lively in the player’s hands. It will have longer sustain, better note separation, and more versatility. It will inspire a better performance from you, the musician!
The second goal is ergonomics. This includes everything from body and neck design to hardware selection. The longer a musician can play without fatigue, the better! If you have to stop practicing because your hand is cramping up or your bridge is digging into your palm, your guitar isn’t doing you any favors. A well-designed instrument will be incredibly comfortable in multiple seated positions, as well as standing. The neck profile should accommodate the natural movement of the wrist and forearm. The body should be lightweight and no edge should dig into your arm, leg or torso. The cable should never interfere with a seated position or be cumbersome while standing.
Every guitar I build is crafted in a thoughtful, detail-oriented manner. The quality and design of the guitar will speak for itself once you have one in your hands!
I proudly build with components from Hipshot, Schaller, Sperzel, Graphtech, Stringjoy, Bare Knuckle Pickups, Elysian Pickups, and Fishman.