Gibson lost an amazing friend when David Vinopal passed away on Sunday, Aug. 17 in Saranac Lake, New York. He was 65. The beloved author and musician ― whose lifelong motto was “only a Gibson is good enough” ― is best known for having co-written 1994’s Gibson’s Fabulous Flat-Top Guitars, one of the most definitive books in the musical instruments industry and one referenced daily in the Gibson editorial office.
David was also the editor of Guitarmaker magazine and taught technical writing and photography to students at Paul Smith’s College for 20 years. He left behind three sons – David, Jan and Edward Vinopal, partner Kameliia Petrova, sister Sarah Sturges, brother Robert Vinopal, and the family dog Dottie, who he doted on.
When Gibson Acoustic relocated to Bozeman, Montana in 1989, it was Vinopal who helped get the division onto its feet.
“When we first started in Montana, we called on the Gibson community to help us,” said Gibson Acoustic product specialist Bill Gonder. “David flew to Montana and took the time out of his busy career to give us advice and perspective on the guitar market and Gibson’s role in it. He saw a need to help and co-wrote Gibson’s Fabulous Flat-Top Guitars. This book and his reputation helped launch us into the market.
“David was a wonderful man, and his passing is truly a sad thing for the whole company,” said Gonder. “David will be missed and never forgotten in Montana.”
Find Vinopal's obituary, below:
