Home Page

Last update:
MAy 6, 2012

New Stuff

Music Stands, Guitar Stands, and Other Stuff

Redwood Top

Kayak in Progress

Strip-built Cedar Canoe

Blackwater River Guitars

Larry Sakayama

I'm a guitar maker located in Wirtz, VA operating under the name, Blackwater River Guitars.

I'm a newcomer to the luthier business - self taught and finished my first guitar in October 2009. I make only a few guitars a year, some being prototypes for instruments I build for friends. The prototypes, so far, have all been built from recycled wood. Beyond guitars, I've built a 6 string banjo and a couple of mountain dulcimers.

I also build canoes/kayaks and other stuff - most recently, music stands.

Check out how I do some things on the Methods pages and some of my tools here.

Click on a photo below for more information.

I'm a member of the Blue Ridge Luthiers, an informal group in Southwestern Virginia, interested in the art and craft of making stringed instruments, and a member of the Southwest Virginia Songwriters Association (SVSA).

With this Website, I'd like not only to document my work, but to share what I've learned about building instruments. I also include links and references to other experienced guitar makers who are much more knowledgeable about the subject than I am. I've learned a lot from you guys and I thank you for sharing what you know.