LUTHIER DWIGHT
CUNNINGHAM
A bit about me
Dwight Cunningham spent many years playing music of the gospel in his local church in Jamaica and sharing his talent for playing bass to people across the seven seas. In 2012, Dwight found himself travelling to Sydney, Australia, where his life would soon take an amazing and unexpected turn. His path was destined for new and greater heights and a chance discovery of a small bass shop would lead Dwight to discover a deeper level of his creative abilities that he was soon to unleash upon the world.
Dwight’s discovery of the art of guitar making and his natural abilities in the art made him realisethat he had the capability, talent and ambition to become one of Jamaica’s finest Luthiers. He embarked on his mission to gain as much knowledge about the craft as he could. Many days and nights were spent studying and researching about his latest hobby and it wasn’t long before Dwight would start his first build – The RLJ5 Bass Guitar.
Initially, many people were skeptical about his new hobby, but with diligence, hard work and an eye for detail, the creative work resulted in a bass guitar with a unique shape and distinctive sound, and skepticism evolved into respect. There was no stopping him now.
Dwight continued to improve and hone his craft as he challenged himself at building a guitar with the finest of finishing touches and this would result in a different type of build. With the first guitar being a neck through, Dwight wanted to push his limits and try building a bolt on neck, taking his skills to a much higher level.
With a heart full of the rhythms of his homeland Jamaica, and years of experience as a bassist fueling his newly found passion, Dwight excelled and broke through many obstacles from sourcing the correct tools and machinery to learning from his own innocent errors and environmental restrictions, to soar to new heights and deeper depths to create unique customisable and innovative guitar designs.
Dwight acknowledges the contribution, encouragement and support of Emma Kirk and others who supported him front he beginning of this journey.
Today, various professional and celebrity bass guitarists are proud owners of one of Cunningham’s unique high end bass guitars. These include Michael “Megahbass” Fletcher - musical director for International Italian reggae artist Alborosie and Grammy Award winning artiste Shaggy and other famous Jamaican artists; Donald Waugh - founder of Airplai® Productions and formerly of the Jolly Boys.
Chevanese Palmer - bass guitarist for Jamaica's All Female Band, Adahzeh.
The Cunningham brand has evolved with the development of customised electrical components by shaping it’s own unique sound through the production of preamps and pickups, and the addition of accessories such as gig bags, strings and custom designed straps.
Dwight has demonstrated the true meaning of “from little things big things grow”. Fueled by his faith in Jesus Christ, propelled by his love for music and his inate creativity Cunningham Bass and Guitarz under Dwight’s leadership, will continue to strive for greater things.
