Custom guitar shop, Squires raffle Eric Church autographed Jack Daniel Whiskey Barrel Guitar for a good cause

Jason Dybvig-Pawelko of Black Hearted Gypsy Guitars hand built this custom guitar. It will be raffled on November 13 to support several non-profits including Jack Daniel’s Operation Ride Home as well as Lynchburg Friends of Animals. (Photos Courtesy of BHG)

It’s a pay-it-forward collaboration between an Arizona custom guitar shop, a few Jack Daniel’s Squires, and The Chief himself. Last week, the owners of BHG Guitars or Black Hearted Gypsy Guitars announced the Jack Daniel Whiskey Barrel Guitar fundraising raffle to benefit several non-profits including one from Lynchburg as well as Jack Daniel’s Distillery’s Operation Ride Home.

BHG’s Jason Dybvig-Pawelko built the custom guitar out of basswood, maple, and rosewood. It’s been “beaten, aged, and distressed” to mimic a Jack Daniel’s barrel that has been pulled from the top floor of local rickhouses. And it’s got character in spades including wood burned to match the barrel stamps and double bound to look like the barrel straps. The front of the guitar features Jack Daniel’s, Church Choir Squires and Collectors, as well as Eris Church’s signature aviators and bird.

BHG chose a unique headstock shape to match the barrel shape and logo of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. The body is made from basswood and the neck is maple with a rosewood fretboard. Single coil pickups in the neck and bridge lean towards the classic T style sound. It also features Old No. 7 control knobs for volume and tone. The finished product was stained and sealed with a lacquer finish.

A couple of well connected Squires managed to catch up with Eric Church in Lexington on September 17 as he kicked off his Gather Again Tour to get the one-of-a-kind guitar signed.

“I am honored that Will and Chris asked BHG to be a part of this fundraiser. I have been blown away by the response so far to the guitar. We are hoping to raise over 10K for some great charities with this one of a kind guitar along with all the other prizes. Please tell everyone to go out and buy your tickets today. Thank you to all for your generosity and support,” Jason Dybvig-Pawelko told The Times.

Tickets to win the guitar are just $5 and can be purchased by clicking here. All proceeds will benefit charities chosen by Eric Church and Jack Daniel’s Distillery including Operation Ride Home and the Lynchburg Friends of Animals. You can purchase raffle tickets through November 13. The winner will be announced via a Facebook Live on the BHG page. For more information or to see more photos, visit the BHG Facebook Page by clicking here. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}