The first dreadnought (or D-sized) guitar made the scene in 1916 and was built by C.F. Martin & Co. Since then, this large sound acoustic guitar grew in popularity, and is still much sought after today. Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Curt Cobain and Lennon and McCartney are but a few of the musicians who have played a Martin dreadnought. And, according to CountryInstruments.com, it is a symbol of country music.

Luthier Rob Dmitrieff of Big Wave Guitars in Boothbay Harbor has been making dreadnoughts, parlor guitars, small jumbos and Slope Ds for over 30 years. Dmitrieff, a musician in his own right, is happiest when he’s in his studio building, tuning – and playing – a new guitar, and right now he’s got a D45 in the making.

This summer, he finished making a dreadnought for Captain Sean Rowley, co-owner of Schooner Applejack. The two met by chance at mutual friend Tony Finocchiaro’s shop in Boothbay on a day when Finocchiaro and Dmitrieff were quarter sawing wood for more Big Wave guitars.

Unbeknownst to Dmitrieff, Rowley had been an electric rhythm guitar player most of his life, save for the last few decades when he traded his fret board for a ship’s wheel.

Once Dmitrieff knew Rowley played guitar, he was itching to build one for him. Rowley said he likes loud and that he is loud, making the dreadnought the perfect choice because they produce big sound.

Despite his new friend’s enthusiasm, Rowley didn’t want a guitar – initially. “I didn’t feel I was worthy of an instrument of that quality. And I didn’t think I deserved it,” he said. “Like Jerry Garcia once said in an interview, ‘If I don’t play (every day), I don’t play.’ I hadn’t played in a long time. And, I won’t take a beautiful instrument out on a boat – it’s just not good for it.”

But after seeing Dmitrieff’s impeccable work, the captain changed his mind. Rowley’s dreadnought is composed of torrefied sitka spruce, with an ebony fingerboard and bridge, satin finish back and gloss top; oil varnish. Dmitrieff also inlaid a schooner on the fret board of abalone, mother of pearl and sterling silver, which Rowley said does resemble Applejack.

“My dream guitar has always been a Martin D45,” Rowley said. “But this is the most beautiful guitar ... The sound is incredible. It makes you want to play. It may as well be a Martin D45!”

For more information about Big Wave Guitars, call Rob at 207-350-6219 and/or visit www.bigwaveguitars.com/