We had the good fortune of connecting with Dany Anka and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dany, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
One of the main reasons is that I was sometimes unhappy with how my basses were built, how they felt and how they sounded, (I’m a bass player). Also, I was looking for a specific sound that no bass in the market could offer at the time, and that’s where I took advantage of my previous knowledge of woodworking and decided to build my first electric bass.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

This is an industry with huge potential and i always wanted to be part of it, so the first step i took for that was to attend 2 of the most important trade shows, The Namm Show and The International Dallas Guitar Show, fortunately, my guitars and basses where received very well, and i got the approval and validation that every luthier wants from some of the most professional musicians in the world.

Consistency and believing in your dream is always what will take you far, and as cliche as that sounds, that was what kept me going despite being a difficult endeavor both financially and emotionally.

One of the main lessons I’ve learned in this journey is that you have to make big sacrifices in your personal life in order to grow your career, sometimes a balanced life is going to be hard at least in the first 3 years. Fortunately I had people that understood this and supported me despite me not being very present.

What I want the world to know is that our goal at Anka Custom is to build and develop excellent guitars and basses, and that we’ve accumulated vast experience in the field and the results speak for themselves in the final product, which is backed by our customers and musician friends.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Houston, I like places like The Pub Fountain, Baker Street Bar, Last Concert Cafe, they have great vibes, good environment and great food.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First of all, shoutout to my brother Jose David Anka, who let me use his woodshop and encouraged me to build my first instrument. My parents who supported my career with no hesitation. Billy Waters for being my angel investor and for believing and supporting me both financially and emotionally.

Website: www.ankacustom.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com@ankacustomguitars

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ankacustom

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgUktylKsnSyqqCHLSsxvAg

Image Credits
Credits to my self, Dany Anka

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