Anka Custom: “We resolve the frustrations of what other instruments lack”

In our Luthier Interview Series we dive into the world of electric guitar craftsmanship with the experts who bring these instruments to life. This time we feature an interview with Dany Anka from Anka Custom.

Anka Custom is a company from Houston, Texas. Dany describes himself as a ‘passionate craftsman and musician’. He founded the company in 2011.

He makes truly exquisite instruments.

You can find out about the man and his work below!

What inspired you to start Anka Custom and build guitars and basses?

My journey into the world of guitar and bass making began when, as a bass player, I was searching for a bass with specific features that I couldn’t find in store-bought instruments. The only way to get those features was by ordering a custom bass from a luthier, but I couldn’t afford it.

Drawing on my previous woodworking experience, and since I’ve always been skilled with my hands and had a natural talent for craftsmanship, I decided to build the bass myself out of frustration.

Although the first prototype wasn’t perfect, it sounded great, and I was hooked.

Can you tell us about the first time you built a bass guitar and how it led to starting Anka Custom?

The first time I built a bass guitar was driven by necessity. As a bass player, I was frustrated by not being able to find an instrument with the specific features I wanted, and custom options were simply out of my budget.

So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I had some woodworking experience and was naturally good with my hands, so I started searching for study materials on guitar making.

I joined several luthier forums, bought books on guitar construction, and began practicing repairs for my fellow musician friends to better understand how instruments work.

Over time, this passion became my full-time job. I even completed a six-month apprenticeship with a local luthier, where I gained invaluable knowledge and hands-on experience in guitar construction and repair.

I learned everything from carving necks and inserting frets to wiring guitar electronics and performing intricate repairs.

That first bass I built may not have been perfect, but it sounded great and sparked a deep passion for lutherie, eventually leading to the creation of Anka Custom.

How did your woodworking experience and craftsmanship skills contribute to your success in guitar building?

It definitely facilitated everything, but one aspect that makes a big difference between regular woodworking and guitar making is the immense attention to detail required.

I had to learn that over time, but since I’m naturally detail-oriented, it wasn’t too difficult.

What’s the most important learned during your six months working and learning from a luthier?

You find a special connection with every instrument you build; it almost feels like each new guitar is a newborn child that you don’t want to let go of.

How did using CNC machines change how you build guitars and basses at Anka Custom?

The CNC machine was an absolute game changer. Now, I can achieve precise repeatability and be more productive. I love that I can work on other tasks while the machine cuts necks and bodies for me.

Can you explain how you use both hand work and CNC machines to produce your instruments?

One thing the general public often needs clarification on is that the CNC only does about 30 percent of the work. It’s definitely not a guitar printer.

The beauty of the process is that a lot of hand work is still required, which, in my opinion, is very enjoyable and relaxing. All the refinement comes entirely from hand craftsmanship.

What sets Anka Custom guitars and basses apart from mass-produced guitars?

We definitely pay much closer attention to detail than mass-produced instruments. From selecting the best fret material available to choosing wood with almost no imperfections, we go the extra mile.

Not to mention the nearly infinite amount of personalization we can offer, from electronic choices to custom neck shapes and inlays. You come to us when you want to resolve the frustrations of what other instruments lack.

How do you make sure that each guitar and bass has its own special sound even when you use CNC machines to build them?

The uniqueness of a guitar comes from the choices each customer makes during the personalization process. Our duty is to fulfill those requests to the best of our ability by carefully managing each step of the building process.

This helps ensure that the final instrument sounds as good as possible and minimizes the risk of a poorly sounding guitar.

What are the key elements that contribute to the reliability and road-worthiness of Anka Custom guitars and basses?

We place a strong emphasis on neck construction because it’s the part of the guitar most affected by temperature changes and where the note-producing hand makes contact.

To ensure ultimate stability, we reinforce our necks with carbon fiber rods. Of course, the choice of woods and overall construction are also crucial.

We also focus on details such as polishing and refining all friction points of the strings to prevent tuning issues during live performances. For the body, we prefer using reliable polyester finishes to preserve the instrument’s beauty, which we believe is very important.

How does being a musician help you build reliable and good-sounding guitars and basses?

I believe that being a luthier who is also a musician bridges the gap between someone who simply designs based on engineering and someone who has been an end user.

As a musician, I understand the essential aspects needed for performance, such as balance, weight, ergonomics, sustain of notes, a comfortable neck profile, and avoiding sharp fret ends or other factors that cause fatigue.

Most importantly, I know what it takes for an instrument to cut through the mix.

Can you give an example of how what musicians need has helped you build your guitars and basses at Anka Custom?

Musicians are constant explorers, which is exciting but can sometimes be frustrating. We’ve identified a need for musicians to find an instrument that feels like home, and that’s what we strive to provide.

Our goal is to create instruments that musicians will want to keep for their entire lives, and I’m happy to say that we’ve succeeded with several of them.

What is the most challenging aspect of creating reliable guitars, and how do you deal with this?

The number one challenge in guitar making is working with wood, which, despite its beauty, is organic and unpredictable. Even if you take all the necessary measures to ensure stability and reliability, wood can still behave unpredictably.

This is an issue faced by all industries that use wood. Fortunately, in guitar making, we have established standards for preventing future problems. If wood does shift, we can often repair it without needing to discard the entire instrument.

How do you ensure that the components used in your instruments meet the highest standards ?

We have invested significant time researching the best and most reliable manufacturers of guitar parts. We’ve tested these components and discarded those that don’t meet our high standards.

The components we use are both time-tested and proven by our customers.

How do other musicians’ ideas help you improve Anka Custom guitars and basses?

One of the many reasons we love our customers is the constant feedback loop we have with them. We’ve made numerous changes to our instruments based on this feedback, as sometimes what we think is best for a guitar doesn’t always work in real-world use.

Can you describe the process of testing and refining components at Anka Custom, and how does it improve the quality of your instruments?

One example is that we’ve tested several tremolo bridge brands. Some of them proved unstable under rigorous testing, so we removed them from our supply chain.

In some cases, we’ve even denied their use when requested by customers because we don’t believe they would maintain our quality standards. We did this with every component of the guitar.

How do you incorporate new ideas and technology to build guitars?

Sometimes, new ideas aren’t necessary for a product that has been accepted and valued for decades in its traditional form, so we may leave those aspects unchanged.

However, there are areas in guitar making that are open to innovation, and one of them is the finishing department. We are constantly testing new coatings and technologies to enhance both beauty and protection.

What do you think will happen in the future with building guitars and basses, and how will Anka Custom be a part of this?

As some species of wood are slowly becoming unavailable, there will likely be a transition to other types of wood or composite materials that closely mimic the properties of traditional wood.

This shift is already happening, and I’m supportive of sustainable alternatives that stay true to traditional approaches.

What advice would you give to aspiring luthiers?

To aspiring luthiers, I’d say it’s not an easy beginning. You’ll need to study extensively, invest in many tools, and master their use. You’ll also need to become proficient in various aspects of the craft.

Be prepared for your social life to be affected, as this career is addictive, and you’ll likely want to spend most of your time in the shop. However, in my opinion, the gratification it brings is well worth it.

Additionally, understanding business is crucial. All your effort can be undermined if you don’t know how to market your product and make it known to the world.

Lastly, never underestimate the power of aesthetics. Ensure you present your products in the best way possible.

What are you most excited about when you think about the future of Anka Custom?

I believe there is a huge demand for quality custom instruments. We have some growth plans in place that we hope will soon help us reach a broader international market.