UK guitar luthier

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 07 Oct 25 - 12:48 PM

> No such word as "dorgive", dummie!

Dunno about that, Fred, but "dorgiveness" is what you're praying for when you've just chucked up in the front-garden petuniua bed, and are attempting to thread the front-door key into the lock without bending it. Ebriated? moi?

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 07 Oct 25 - 03:06 PM

But was it worth it, MtF? :)

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 08 Oct 25 - 07:56 AM

Far from it, Fred: I've never been permitted to forget the After, and remember fragments of the Before with deep and abiding shame. Lesson learnt, the hard way.

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 08 Oct 25 - 09:09 AM

Oh dear, MtF.

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 08 Oct 25 - 06:25 PM

When I send my D-18 to Brook, which should be a week this Monday, I'll put a set of 13-56 in the case.

It was a mistake dropping down a gauge. The lower tension just feels wrong to me. I've had Gibsons and used 12s happily but on this D-18 they're just meh.

Other Martins may well be happy with 12s 'cos not all guitars are the same. Can they be? Short answer: no. Long answer: hell no! :-D

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 09 Oct 25 - 02:44 AM

My D-18 is fine on 12s, and my hands are happier.

I used 13s on both my Martin Dreads for years until the arthritis and Tenosynovitis made it too painful, and I dropped down a gauge. Once I got the relief sorted, no problems, no loss of volume that I’m aware of, and they both sound ‘livelier’ (as In, they ‘have more life in the sound’). I occasionally put a set of 13s on them to check that I’m not deceiving myself, but they make both guitars sound ‘choked’, less ‘life in the sound’ to my ears.

But, as we constantly say, to each his own!

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 09 Oct 25 - 05:46 AM

BWM,

If the nut slots are cut for 12s and you sling on 13s, don't you find the strings would bind there?





-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 09 Oct 25 - 06:20 AM

I doubt that it’s possible to cut a nut so precisely for 12s that would bind with 13s, especially as nut slots would tend to get slightly wider with use.

My D18 spent 40 odd years with 13s but I gave it a rest with 12s several years ago.

Picked up one of my guitars from the Guitar Repair Workshop (Hyde branch) yesterday. They’ve had it for three weeks - friendly bunch and a relatively painless process - much less hassle than travelling to their previous premises at PMT in Salford. Sounds like they intend to keep both this and the Manchester branch operating.

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 09 Oct 25 - 06:30 AM

They DO intend to keep both. I know the team well from their Salford years. Steve brought two of my instruments 3-4 years ago. They've worked on most guitars I've had.

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 09 Oct 25 - 07:02 AM

It's mostly John at the Hyde branch, Steve (owner and founder)at the STS Apollo branch.

They're a Gibson and Taylor Authorised Service Centre. Andy was part of the team at Salford but he left to set up his own business. Going back further there was Danny, who "went a bit weird" and was let go :)

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 10 Oct 25 - 08:50 AM

I swapped the 12-54 for 13-56 and found that this D-18 responds a lot better to the latter.

It wasnt that the setup wasn't ideal for 12s as neck relief, first fret string height and 12th fret action were all within Martin specs.it was that 12s didn't drive the top.

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 13 Oct 25 - 06:38 AM

Been looking at several Brook videos on YouTube.

In one it was mentioned that you won't find the workshop by following sat nav instructions. Surely that's wrong? I 2ant my D-18 to get there.

So, those who've been - did YOU have trouble finding it?

Cheers

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 Oct 25 - 07:24 AM

Yes, my sat-nav took me to the wrong place entirely. They are off the beaten track, in an old barn up a narrow lane. The guys at Brook recommend you call them when you get to the nearest village (Hittesleigh?) and they will direct you in - that’s what I did.

If you’re shipping your guitar there, there won’t be a problem - you can rest assured that the local delivery guys know where they are! You can trust that your guitar will get there especially if, as you said earlier, they arrange shipping both ways.

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 13 Oct 25 - 08:21 AM

Hittisleigh, I think.

Brook WILL arrange shipping both ways but both ways requires you to have a printer so that you can print a courier label. I don't, so I can only get return shipping from Brook. I'll get APC Overnight to ship there.

They may have been to the workshop before but, just in case, I'll give them the contact number.

Thanks

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 Oct 25 - 11:37 AM

Don’t know APC but, if they’re a decent carrier, they should have drivers who know the area. Are they the carriers that Brook use or recommend?

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 13 Oct 25 - 11:59 AM

I don't know if they're Brook recommended or used by them but, over the years, I must've shipped over a dozen guitars by APC and never had an issue.

Some couriers I'd keep well away from, so don't be tempted by "man with a van" unless you know and trust ’em, or at the very least keep a tube of Bostik and a prayer book!

-F

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 Oct 25 - 02:29 PM

I never ship a guitar, I always drive and take it or, if it's going to that London, I take it by train. Hence my run down to Devon to the Brook workshop. Unless I become unable to drive, I don't see that changing.

Subject: RE: UK guitar luthier
From: Fred
Date: 13 Oct 25 - 08:13 PM

I DID become unable to drive.

Had my lovely Harley, travelled all over England, Wales and Scotland. Had a blast, so no regrets.

-F