Instruments

Looking for your next Instrument?

I specialise in the replication of vintage guitars focussed on construction using traditional building techniques to deliver a warm vintage tone that we all know and love.

However I am not limited to just guitars, other instruments are also available on request. Flat top, carved top, acoustic and electric.

please see below for more information.

Tonewood

When it comes to making a guitar, or any instrument, one of the most important decisions to be made is what timber it should be made from.

wood choice has a massive influence over the overall sound an instrument, subtle differences in grain spacing, density, weight, and thickness are all factors in the equation.

I have a large selection of tone wood on hand available now to choose from. from native, to imported species,

A big focus of mine is sustainability so whenever I can, I strive to use old timber that has already been processed, recycled timber from furniture or building materials, etc. As well as wood that is that is FSC certified from reliable sources.

A large portion of my collection is made up of very old timber that has been cut, dried, and hidden away for decades by various collectors. wood of this quality is no longer commercially available, for that reason, it makes tonewood like this the perfect candidate for vintage replication instruments.

Mahogany / Sitka spruce OO18 14 fret pictured.

Hide glue construction / French polish finish / O18 12 fret pictured

Construction Techniques

When it comes to making a musical instrument there are a lot of things to take into consideration. Starting with wood choice, and ending with the finish. I briefly explain some of my techniques and options that are available below.

I am a firm believer in traditional building techniques but also proudly embrace modern construction methods.

Weight

Weight. When it comes to building an instrument, one of the most important overlooked factors is weight, lightweight instruments are not only easier to handle, they also resonate more freely, and allow more delicate frequencies to be present in the sound, frequencies that will often be hidden in heavier denser instruments.

Every piece of wood is different, so each piece is thinned down manually based on feel, and the woods tensile strength.

I try to build my guitars as light as possible without sacrificing strength and rigidity, but still allowing the wood to resonate and sing freely.

Glues

Hot hide glue, or protein glue, is a traditional adhesive with uses dating back thousands of years. Its a favourite among woodworkers for its strength and repairability & luthiers for its tonal benefits.

I find it adds another dimension to an instruments sound because it dries significantly harder, and promotes better tonal transmission between pieces of wood. I can offer instruments with full hide glue construction upon request, otherwise if not specified premium aliphatic PVA glue will be used.

Finish

There are a lot of different ways to lacquer a guitar, and the truth is there is no right or wrong way to do it. One of my favourite methods is French polish/Shellac. Shellac has also been around for thousands of years, and is a naturally occurring organic finish. Shellac has been used as a finish on instruments for centuries, and is a fantastic choice for a thin, traditional finish. However if one is looking for a more durable solution I also recommend Nitro. Nitrocellulose lacquer was invented in the 1920s and is what you will find on many prized pre & post war Martins. Its thin, & durable, a very popular choice among many luthiers including myself. Especially if you are looking to recreate golden era guitars.

Design

Design is one of the most important aspects of an instrument, size, shape, and aesthetics can not be overlooked.

From the comfort of the player, to the overall sound, it all works into the equation to make the perfect Instrument.

Beginning with large bodied dreadnoughts, all the way through to small parlour guitars. I have a large selection of designs on hand and available today to choose from.

Looking for something different? Other than acoustic guitars, I can also offer other stringed instrument manufacturing services.

For example, electric guitars, ukuleles, octave mandolins and carved top instruments such as mandolins, etc, are all available on request.

If you have a design you want to bring to life, please feel free to get in touch today and we can work on bringing it to life.