The journey began in a music store in Washington, DC. 1990 saw Kevin learning to do repairs on acoustic instruments in the back , but a classified ad in the news paper by the Gibson Guitar Corporation put the whole odyssey on a different track.
Moving to Bozeman, Montana in 1992 to work for Gibson, Kevin’s talents quickly moved him into the Custom Shop, where he was able to hone his skills working with luthiers such as John Walker, and master luthier Ren Ferguson. Together, they created many one-of-a-kind, customized high end Gibson guitars, or “Ginches” as they came to be called.
After ten years of working in the Custom Shop, Kevin felt it was time to move on and explore the world of self employment in addition to expanding his repair shop at home and his skills. He became an authorized repairman for all of the “Biggies”, but his business started evolving into repairs & restoration of high end vintage instruments belonging to customers all over the North American continent and Japan.
Seeing dozens of vintage instruments literally from the inside out, Kevin started melding some of his own ideas and experiences with the tried and true construction techniques that he saw in the guitars, banjos and mandolins he was repairing. Starting his own line of high end guitars was the natural outcome, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Players instantly hear the rich tone and response in every one of Kevin’s guitars. Internationally known guitar artist Leo Kottke owns and regularly plays two Kopp guitars.
We’re all on a journey of our own and hopefully our paths cross, if only briefly. Kevin’s journey of exploration and constant pursuit of quality and tone continues every day and who knows — maybe your own pursuit of quality and tone has led you here, to this intersection.
Stay a while, look at the photos. Explore, and take your time.
