Meet Dave

I was born in Easton, PA, and my parents, George and Brenda, moved to Pen Argyl. PA when I was six years old. My father grew up in a country setting near a farm where he worked, which is what helped him to learn how to work hard and treat people good. He was raised in a Christian home alongside his father and mother, George and Joyce. My dad's father died the year that I was born, and unfortunately I did not get to know my grandfather. However, I've got many great memories of my grandmother who loved Jesus and her family more than anything in the whole world. My mother's parents, William and Lilly of Easton, PA were great examples of what simple living was like in the days gone by. I loved spending weekends with my Pappy and Grammy! They didn't have running water or indoor plumbing, and we had to use the outhouse. For me and my two brothers, Mike and Jeremy, it was like camping, which is something that we regularly enjoyed with our parents while growing up. I loved walking the mountainside with my Pappy. And, until this day, I love the outdoors and spending time in the wilderness. We had a tight family life that was shared with our uncles, aunts, and many cousins. We would get together nearly every weekend at Gram Strunk's house. The adults would play cards, and us kids would just be kids. Everything was done together. Today, I enjoy the togetherness of my own family. My wife Kristee is truly the better half of the union. Our four daughters, Danielle, Allison, Amanda, and Kimberly are beautiful, fun, and alive. I loved watching them play. It reminded me of growing up with my brothers. What a joy my daughters are! I got into guitars after high school when I started to work. My father was working at Martin Guitar at that time, and he let me know that Martin was hiring. I started working at Martin Guitar in August of 1990. I was a hard and honest worker, and within a year or two, I was picked to join a team of well-experienced craftsmen to make up the Martin Guitar Warranty Repair Department. I always enjoyed working with my hands in school and with my father and grandfather. I was a good art student, and I would have probably pursued a career in advertising if I continued schooling. I've got no regrets! I've found the other love of my life, which is using my hands to repair and restore other people's pride and joy, their guitars! I love to see a newfound joy that people discover after I've spent time restoring and repairing their guitar. I was trained at Martin Guitar under the well-known repairman David Musselwhite. It was truly educational, and a great experience overall. He became like an older brother to me over the years. Not only did I learn the art and craftsmanship of building and repairing fine guitars, I also gained a great friend. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with my career. I found so much joy in repairing guitars, that I wanted to start working on other guitars and stringed instruments outside of the factory. I started my own small repair shop out of my house, and I worked on all kinds of different guitars and stringed instruments. I can sometimes be a bit picky with things in life, which works well in this line of work. I'm really passionate about, and I love working on, maintaining the originality on vintage guitars. I suppose that I got that from my grandfather who always said, "If you're not going to do something right, don't do anything at all." It wasn't long after starting at Martin Guitar that I learned how to play guitar. I always enjoyed music and would often sing in church and community singing groups. Together with a friend, I would play and sing for small social outings. One day, we met up with a drummer from a local church. He was looking to join a band, so we started a band and eventually recorded an album together. We played for about 5 to 7 years at local churches, parks, and even Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pa. We enjoyed writing our own music, and until this day, I still enjoy writings songs. I always find it more pleasing to create music rather than just play the music that somebody else writes. Throughout my life, I've learned about family, friendship, honor, humility, integrity, steadfastness, and laying aside one's own desires and wants in order to put others first. All this through one man, Jesus Christ. I've learned from all these examples in my life that Jesus has put before me, and they have always let me know how much He cares for me. True peace and joy in my life come from this. I look forward to meeting and sharing friendships with you. It will truly be a pleasure to serve you and your favorite instrument.
Dave