I’m offering for sale this lovely baritone ukulele. I completed it in 2019, and intended to keep it in my collection, however as I’ve hardly played it in that time, I feel that it’s time to let it go to someone who will play and enjoy it: after all it’s what they’re made for! If you watch the video, that I made back in 2019, I run through the spec and give a little demo. The only things that are different are: I changed the tuner buttons back to the original metal ones as an ebony one split, lowered the action to 2mm @ 12th fret and put on a new set of Martin Fluorocarbon strings. I should s ..read more

The rosewood Standard is now together and the next step for me is to set it up, in the white, before the finishing process starts. There are a couple of photos below. I’m very pleased with the Pau Ferro details on the back. Now the heel cap has been fitted, everything ties nicely together. This should be ready early summer so if you wish to register an interest, please feel free to contact me via my website ..read more

With a deposit taken on the walnut Standard, work is well underway on the next one. If my previous mandolin was a celebration of walnut, this one (XVI) is a celebration of rosewood! In the video below, I show how I put together a three-piece back. Woods such as Indian Rosewood are such precious gifts from nature:  making instruments with multiple piece backs, necks etc. is the best way of using smaller pieces of wood and honouring the trees that were felled. By their nature, more joints, ensuring symmetry etc, the construction of a three-piece back is more challenging, but as responsible ..read more

 I made this bass for myself in 2003 and basically it was inspired by the Rickenbacker 4005 bass. I also made a similar shaped 12-string version that can be seen in my archive. So, in between applying the finish to the most recent Standard mandolin, I’ve decided to remake/remodel/recycle it into a more…….shall we say, user friendly instrument! All the hardware is good, and I particularly like the sound of the EMG pickups. So, the central core of the bass will remain the same, but the body is going to lose some bulk. First job, strip it down. Then cut- I think that this is known as “the ..read more

 As promised here the video of the latest mandolin ..read more

The latest Standard mandolin is now complete and is available. Below are some photos for you. If you remember, my intention was for this instrument to be a celebration of walnut and I think the beauty of this wood is shown off nicely in this mandolin. Also, its sounds so good too! There will be a video soon. The current price of my Standards is £925, which includes a Hiscox case: shipping is extra. If you’re interested in this one, please feel free to contact me via my website ..read more

You can see in the photos below, that the mandolin is now together. The views of its back really highlight my celebration of walnut that I mentioned in the video. Next stage is to attach the hardware, make the bridge and get it playing ..read more

Here’s a few photos for you, now that the mandolin’s body is fully bound. By using maple for the bindings, I’ve ensured that no tropical hardwoods will be used on this particular instrument. Looks good too ..read more

Price reduction: £750 It was always going to be hard to put a value on the Guyatone restoration project. With any work of this nature, you’re going to take into consideration the time you’ve spent and the money you’ve invested when coming up with your price. However, in reality, the customer just sees the finished product and knows what it’s worth to him/her. Also, I’m aware that we are living through hard times and to many, a guitar is a luxury item. So, rather than having the Guyatone languishing in my workshop, I’m reducing the price to £750. Ultimately, it was all about bring this instrum ..read more

The latest Standard mandolin is well underway. The body is together: English walnut back and sides with an Adirondack spruce soundboard. The fretboard and bridge are going to be made from bog oak. The pieces of bog oak that I’ve sourced are from a specialist and you can read its fascinating story on their website. Hopefully it will be completed and ready for sale this Spring: £925 (including case). Here’s a bit of a taster ..read more