RIP Kirk Sand

[815C]

Kirk Sand, who built amazing guitars, has left us. I've played a couple of his guitars and always wanted one, but never had the budget.

Emily Hughes (Lenny Breau's daughter) posted this on FaceBook...

I’m very sad to hear that our family friend, luthier Kirk Sand has passed. He built gorgeous guitars for so many greats including my dad; Lenny Breau, Chet Atkins, Richie Sambora, Jerry Reed, Tommy Emmanuel, and Kevin Eubanks. He participated in my 2nd doc film, profiling my dad. Remembering how special it was to bring my son Jonah, to The Guitar Shoppe in Laguna Beach.

[jt1]

A lovely and talented fellow.

I’m privileged to own the 99th guitar that he built in 1991. It’s a lovely thing and my only nylon string guitar. Each time I met Kirk over the years, he’d say, “I wish I still had some of that Brazilian rosewood that I used [for the back and sides] on your guitar.

Rest easy, Kirk.

[Organic Sounds Select Guitars]

Oh no! So sorry to hear this. Such a nice man, and of course a wonderful guitar builder.

[H165]

Hard to hear this news, and hard to imagine walking by the shop and knowing he's not there.

We always made time to admire Kirk's innovative guitars, which often appeared in the gallery at the Pageant of the Masters art show.

Kirk offered to mentor me on making a crossover, but somehow I never found the time to get started.

His widespread reputation, his great co-workers, and the shop's interesting selection of instruments made his customers and friends happy over all these years.

[Glennwillow]

I'm glad he left a mark and is remembered here. May he RIP.

- Glenn

[jseth]

Kirk was a wonderful man, and I'm happy that I knew him, just a little... his guitars are splendid and exemplary instruments... I always looked forward to saying hello and chatting a bit whenever I made it back down to Laguna Beach and The Guitar Shoppe, both to say "Hi" to Kirk as well as seeing Mark Angus...

Thanks, Kirk, for the joy you brought to this world of guitarists!

[Gitfiddlemann]

Oh no! That's such sad news. I had spoken to him fairly recently, I think it was in the fall sometime. He seemed to have taken a lower profile in the last year or so.
Fortunately, (thanks to fellow AGF'er Chris Crouch), I was able to snag one of his thinner line John Knowles model a few years back, with the perfect specs for me. He had one left in his shop. I play it every day.

He was a great guy. Also a proud and doting grandfather from what I gathered.
May he rest in peace. He certainly made a lot of us Sand owners a happy lot.

[J.R. Rogers]

Oh no. Sad news indeed. I believe I met Kirk once or twice in California. Rest in peace, buddy.

JR

[CCFingerstyle]

I treasure my long time friendship with Kirk and my Sand guitar. He was a true artist and made beautiful nylon string acoustical electric instruments. It was a joy kneeing him...Chris

[The Growler]

That’s too bad. He really did some great work.

[jt1]

The tribute to Mr. Sand that I recorded last evening:

[Tahitijack]

Kirk will be missed. He was always there when someone asked for help in the community. Our local acoustic guitar series would not have happened or got started without Kirk. His story, The Laguna Guitar Shoppe was my go to place for a new guitar, setup or just strings or pics. You never knew who would be visiting the shop...Chet, Doyle or a long list of others. Kirk was an irreplaceable icon that will be missed. Rest In Peace your work here has ended.