About
I am part of the talented younger generation of British luthiers, though I have been at it for a while. I was 13 when I became absolutely determined I was going to become a classical guitar maker.
At 15, I paid a visit to the Rodgers workshop, a builder of tuning machines for the classical guitar. It was the first time I had met a master craftsman. Inspired, I built my first guitar the following year under the tutelage of the luthiers at Newark College. The same year, I took a visit to a collection of guitars called “Granary Guitars”. There was such an aura of romance and magic around the Granary guitar collection. The seriousness and majestic quality of the guitars, each one with its own personality, is ever imprinted on my mind when building my own guitars.
It has been 12 years since that Granary Guitar visit. I am currently building one guitar per month, building entirely with hand tools and finishing by either brushing lacquer, oiling, or French polishing. I build traditional classical and flamenco guitars, ever learning and seeking to refine my craft.
Philosophy
I have always aimed to build guitars fit for the most demanding players, such as professional players and conservatoire students. I aim for not only perfection of workmanship and sound, but to impart my work, both visually and sonically, with character and life. I don’t build copies, rather I have developed an original modern guitar, fit for YOU, the modern guitarist.
I am most inspired by the English school of guitar makers, especially the line of guitar makers stemming from David Rubio and Paul Fischer. I am also inspired by England herself; the woodwork in old cathedrals, the solemn power in the stones at Avebury, and the instruments that have been made here the past centuries, all leave their mark on my work.
