My 50th, an archtop
Recently completed, my 50th instrument, an archtop guitar for Di Plumer. I’ve made a few carved top and back mandolins now so I was somewhat prepared for the journey. Very different to making a flattop. …
Blueshed Exhibition May 2014
I’m showing a few of my instruments in The Blueshed as part of the Art in Ditchling Artists Open Houses trail. Includes my first ever archtop guitar. A converted builders workshop in the heart …
Will Fly’s skinny electro acoustic
This one really started with a pickup, a nice old – 60’s – DeArmond pickup for sound hole fixing. Will ended up commissioning a slim line flat top guitar to go with it. The result …
Last of The Bull sessions
After over ten years we’re moving to The White Horse, just across the road. Good turn out and some great music for the last night at The Bull, even the barmaids were dancing. Next …
Scotch and Soda
A little after dinner music making, just one of those perfect moments. Lucie Broadbent singing, I’m playing #34, rosewood and bearclaw jumbo. Lovely song, beautifully sung by Lucie, finally got my head round that chord …
Blue Shed Exhibition May 2013
Weekends in May between 11 and 5. Not open bank holiday Mondays. Exhibition of sculpture: David Browne lutherie: Ian Chisholm chairs: Martin Spencer design: Sally Williams. 6 East Gardens Ditchling Sussex BN6 8ST I’m showing …
There is hope in honest error
We’ve just been up in Glasgow enjoying a weekend the Celtic Connections music festival. Paid an all too brief visit to Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s astonishing College of Art. For many years I’ve had this piece …
Lyon and Healy style two point archtop mandolin
This is only my second attempt at a carved front and back instrument and it’s been a long time in the making. Built under the expert eye of Richard Osborne it has turned out extremely …
The 5 string Mandocaster
I just completed a 5 string mandocaster for Will Fly. The original Fenders which inspired it were Strat style instruments with 4 single strings, and were made between 1956 and 1976. A 5 string version …