In the tiny Appalachian town of Rugby, Virginia (population: 7), lives Wayne Henderson, a soft-spoken former rural mail carrier who builds some of the finest acoustic guitars in the world. With a waiting list that stretches nearly a decade—and clients that include Eric Clapton, Doc Watson, and Gillian Welch—Henderson has achieved near-mythic status among musicians.
St. John persuades Henderson to begin building a long-promised guitar for Clapton, and what follows is an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the painstaking creation of a handmade instrument. Along the way, St. John explores the art of lutherie, the science of sound, and the enduring appeal of craftsmanship in an age of mass production.
Warm, witty, and richly detailed, Clapton’s Guitar is a celebration of artistry, tradition, and the timeless pursuit of perfection.