‘CB Alyn’ uses only the best materials
By Savana Hardin
When tourists look at the small town of Key West they see the street performers and the local bars and they think that they have the whole town figured out, but they often fail to realize that there is much more to the Keys than fire swallowing and the beach.
Key West is rich in culture and artisans from all walks of life. One of these artists is Craig Burroughs Alyn, also known as “CB Alyn,” a guitar craftsman who builds acoustic guitars out of his house. Retired from the wholesale music trade in California, this man has copious amounts of experience in building guitars that are meant to be handed down from generation to generation. Built with care and animal protein based glues, his CB Alyn guitars are reminiscent of those from the 1930s and 1940s. Alyn prefers the older methods of guitar construction to the new epoxy glues and lacquers; he said they are better acoustically for the guitar.
Craig Alyn’s dreams for his guitars consist of having five dealers nationwide and eventually take on an apprentice to continue his work into the future. Alyn wishes to keep the traditions of taking pride in guitar craftsmanship and using the best materials for the job. Alyn says, “You can’t look at building guitars as a way to become rich, it has to be a passion,” and it truly is one of his passions.
From his first Everly Brothers concert in London, England, to his retirement in Key West creating timeless acoustic guitars, Craig Alyn will always have music in his heart.
