Valley Artisan Crafts Custom Guitar for Jimmy Carter, Hiding a Secret Message Inside

In the wake of former President Jimmy Carter’s passing, an Arizona luthier is making headlines for his unique tribute. Jason Kostal, based in Queen Creek, Arizona, recounted his experience crafting a custom guitar from wood originally planted and harvested by Carter himself.

Kostal, who operates a boutique guitar-making business, typically faces a seven-year waitlist for clients. However, a special request placed for President Carter’s guitar expedited the process. “Would you build this instrument for President (Jimmy) Carter?” Kostal recalled being asked. “There really is no other answer but yes.”

The wood used for this remarkable guitar comes from Paulownia trees cultivated on Carter’s farm in Plains, Georgia. Kostal explained that Carter’s motivation was twofold: to showcase the wood’s potential and to generate funds for his local community.

Upon receiving three sets of milled wood, Kostal felt an initial apprehension. “I opened up this wood, and it sounded like cardboard. I thought, ‘This is not going to go well,’” he reflected. Despite his concerns, he praised the final result as “incredible.”

Creating the guitar involved approximately 300 intricate steps over four months. Kostal wanted to honor Carter not just as a president but as a person. To represent Carter’s Navy background, he incorporated blue and gold hues into the design, including the rosette.

A particularly clever addition was a decorative Morse code inlay on the back of the guitar that reads: “Beat Navy.” Kostal, an Army veteran and U.S. Military Academy alumnus, found amusement in his playful nod to inter-service rivalry. “It just feels so good to probably have my only opportunity to punk a former U.S. president,” he laughed.

When Kostal delivered the instrument to Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in April 2020, he shared the meaning behind the inlay. “He thought it was hilarious,” Kostal recounted. They engaged in a lively conversation about military sports, especially as the Army had been struggling in competitions at that time.

This encounter with the Carters stands as one of Kostal’s most cherished memories. “It was just emotional to connect with someone so globally recognized over guitars and woodworking,” he said. Beyond the craftsmanship, he hopes his story encourages people to appreciate Carter’s legacy, extending well beyond his presidency.

Reflecting on Carter’s recent death, Kostal expressed concern about the impact of his passing. “There’s a noticeable hole in the world,” he observed. “Not many are stepping up to fill that space.”