Info - Vince Hockey

Subject: Info - Vince Hockey
From: GUEST,Jamie (by email)
Date: 22 Aug 21 - 07:59 PM

I wonder if any of you mudcats remember a singer/guitarist called Vince Hockey. i don't seem to find any mention of him in your messages. In the late 50s early 60s he played in a duo with Vi...

Subject: RE: Info - Vince Hockey
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 02:06 AM

He lived in Southampton in the mid-2000’s, working as a luthier/guitar-tech. For a while he was the sole UK Martin Certified Service Centre, and he did some work on one of my Martins. I’ve seen several guitars built by Vince, but never played one.

Subject: RE: Info - Vince Hockey
From: GUEST,The Man from UNCOOL
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 11:39 AM

I'm sure a friend has one: I'll check if he [VH] is still with us.

Subject: RE: Info - Vince Hockey
From: GUEST,Mark
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 02:08 PM

I know/knew the luthier Vince, though haven't been in touch with him for a few years. I have one of his guitars (OO-size) and it's rather good. Last I heard (in the last year or so) he was still with us.

Nice guy.

I believe he did the measurements on Martin Carthy's guitar when Martin did a signature model, and I think he made a tenor guitar for Eliza.

Don't ask about the 7-string for Big Jim Sullivan...

Subject: RE: Info - Vince Hockey
From: GUEST,Brian Mellor Re Vince Hockey Guitar
Date: 01 Oct 23 - 11:22 AM

I recently purchased in July 2023 a beautiful Vince Hockey Guitar it is in a hand built 00 Martin style and seeing as he was a the main Martin man in the UK until retired there's no doubt about its background. On recommendation I took it to the Luthier/Repair guy Brian Hayward in Winchester who knows Vince and yes he's still around but now well retired. Brian Hayward applied his magic to my guitar (VH number 1130) and it sings with great sustain volume and separation across all strings. Its steel strings and narrower neck are a different style for me (mainly nylon Classical) so I'm just getting used to it.
Hope this helps keep up the Vince Hockey appreciation society.
Brian Mellor from Thruxton Hampshire.

Subject: RE: Info - Vince Hockey
From: GUEST,Brian Mellor Re Vince Hockey Guitar
Date: 01 Oct 23 - 11:22 AM

I recently purchased in July 2023 a beautiful Vince Hockey Guitar it is in a hand built 00 Martin style and seeing as he was a the main Martin man in the UK until retired there's no doubt about its background. On recommendation I took it to the Luthier/Repair guy Brian Hayward in Winchester who knows Vince and yes he's still around but now well retired. Brian Hayward applied his magic to my guitar (VH number 1130) and it sings with great sustain volume and separation across all strings. Its steel strings and narrower neck are a different style for me (mainly nylon Classical) so I'm just getting used to it.
Hope this helps keep up the Vince Hockey appreciation society.
Brian Mellor from Thruxton Hampshire.

Subject: RE: Info - Vince Hockey
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Feb 24 - 07:26 AM

yes I'm still around and doing repairs and making but taking less work on. As some may remember i knew Bob Dylan for about twenty months in New York in 1961 - 62 before he was famous. I had a guitar lesson which he interupted(only for a minute) I recently sold my Dylan memorabilia for a large amount! I worked for British Airways for 32 years which got me to the USA many times.
In the sixties i was in various duos and trios with Vic Wilton and others playing at the Foc'sle, and other clubs.
Recently did some repair work for Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton,Sting etc.
All best wishes to all who remember me.

Subject: RE: Info - Vince Hockey
From: GUEST,Rick Stokes
Date: 10 Feb 24 - 03:23 PM

Hi Vince, good to hear you're still active - I'm still happily playing my Stella & Martin that you did neck resets on,
best to you,
Rick