I put my toe into the water of guitar making in 1999 by buying an Appalcian Dulcimer kit - same principles I reasoned. The kit gave me enough "structure" but also freedom to "customise" and add my own touches. I was really pleased with the results and there was no going back from here. I looked with envy at places like The Totnes School of Guitarmaking, but there was no way I could spend 3 months away from my lovely wife and family. Two big breaks came to my rescue. Firstly the advent of the internet. It's frankly astonishing the things you can learn on guitarmaking here, and in particular Frank Ford's amazing site www.frets.com. That man is a hero and an inspiration and I imagine has acted as midwife to countless new Luthiers around the world. Second was the discovery of Bill Cumpiano and Jonathan Natelson's book "Guitarmaking Tradition and Technology". So many years experience to be had for less than £20!!
In my local hardware store I came across three blocks 27"x4"x3" labelled "Old Rio Rosewood" for around £60 each. This was the holy grail of guitar woods or so I had read! From this came the backs and sides of "Nancy","William" and "Suzanna". The design of "Nancy", my first guitar was dictated by this: small bodied, 16 fret body join, 6 piece back and relatively shallow. Like most things in my life, I rarely take the easy road. The moment of stringing her up and hearing her first voice was a magical one, and I still get that buzz with each new creation.
Early retirement has opened up a new career for me making guitars. I am steadily building up my "portfolio" of guitar types.
How Did it Start?