Underappreciated luthiers and instrument

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 07:49 PM

A guy called Roger Williams must be one of the best, after all, players such as Gordon Giltrap has one! Check out his 'Cutaway with a difference' on his Web site http://www.rogerwilliamsguitars.com

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument-MOZE
From: GUEST,Guest Johnny Mannion
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 09:56 PM

Robert "Moze" Mossay is by far the best guitar builder I have found. He built me an acoustic back in '83 that is just amazing. I also have an electric he built back in 78. I have owned other guitars he has made, everyone was huge sounding and balanced. A joy to play.
if you want to get in touch with his shop you can find them online at http://www.mozeguitars.com   
the phone number there is 1-619-698-1185 He only seems to make guitars on special order... but his work is worth the wait and he does it the way YOU want it. You can view my guitars on my website on the gear page.
http://www.johnnymannion.com

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 04:10 AM

Anders Eliasson is a flamenco guitar maker near Granada, he charges 1800 euros for his guitars, and he can only physically make 12no a year. He's never going to get rich is he?

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: GUEST,Bruce Baillie
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 12:15 PM

Andrew Whale made some wonderful instruments before his untimely death, I'm fortunate enough to have a parlour guitar he custom made for me and an Octave Mandolin. And he made good Banjos as well!

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: GUEST,leftydee
Date: 11 Nov 05 - 11:29 AM

This comes from a guy that owns too many Martins. Check out Godin for electric and Seagull (made by Godin ) for acoustic. These are wonderful guitars. They sound better than lots of Martins and are 1/4 of the price. I've been gigging them for a couple of years based on the overall playability and huge sound they produce.

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: Briagha
Date: 11 Nov 05 - 02:08 PM

Mentioned already by Mooh above, but I have to add my two cents' worth for Jimmy Moon, of Moon Guitars in Glasgow. I have a Moon bouzouki that both sounds great and feels great to play. I also have an inexpensive Asian-made guitar that I leave in Glasgow at a relative's house because I don't feel comfortable taking my good ones over there from LA as checked baggage. Jimmy Moon took this cheapie for one night and turned it into a very playable guitar that I'm happy to take to sessions, etc. He's a nice guy (and not a guitar player-- he plays bluegrass upright bass!), and I'm counting on having a custom Moon guitar some day in the future.

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: GUEST,Alana
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 12:09 PM

Yes, Glen Reid instuments are a treasure kept secret.
His web site is www.glenreid.com to view these amazing fine string instruments.
www.glenreid.com

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: Mooh
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 12:40 PM

There was a Reid instrument a while back on the 12th Fret listings (www.12fret.com). Always admired his sense of proportion and design, and the ones I've heard have been very very good.

The previously mentioned Joshua House guitars (www.house-guitars.com) have improved to the point where he is receiving international orders, and his recent ones are stunning in every way. I get to see many of them as they're built and can say that they're worth the international attention.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: oggie
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 04:07 PM

I reccomend this one

http://www.lucasguitars.co.uk/lucas/

All the best

oggie

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: GUEST,kevin b.
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 01:33 AM

Okay Folks!
You want to add some more unappreciated Luthiers to the list.
Here we go! Although I must preface this by saying that I fully appreciate them! You will too!
I have instruments made by the following individuals:
Note; my numeric ordering has nothing to do with craftsmanship, it's just a list.

FIRST: ROSS TEIGEN: Naples, FL. A gorgeous solid body asymetrical (his signature shape) electric mandolin. Think mandocaster. Just great and incredible workmanship. His flat tops are just wonderful.
He's a super guy who works on all of my guitars as well.

SECOND: KEN POTTS: Maui, Hawaii. Ken is a dear friend who has made me a trio of koa lovliness. Baritone, and tenor Ukuleles, and a travel guitar that is truly stellar. All three were made from the same tree so the grain figure matches throughout. Fabulous!
Super guy too!

THIRD: KEN MILLER: Tallahassee, FL. Made me a beautiful holly soprano ukulele. He does wonderful work, and his inlay work is very niice as well. He makes beautiful mandolins, flat top guitars, and weissenborn style acoustic slide guitars.

GOOGLE THESE THREE NAMES, you'll find web addresses for all of them where you can view their work.
There's my two cents worth!
Thanks,
Kevin B.

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 03:38 AM

Anders Eliasson: Hand made flamenco and classical guitars for the price of some factory jobs.

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: deadfrett
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 08:08 AM

Dave Wendler of Lawrence, Kansas

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: Grimmy
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 09:57 AM

"I think the John Renbourn guitar is by Ralph Bown, not Bowen. They are top notch, I'd love one."

Correct on all counts, Eleanor. Clive Carroll plays one too. I am the proud owner of one as well.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Brook Guitars, a small company in Devon, UK. Superb instruments.

The TAMCO website lists many of the independent makers (not just UK).

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: Wesley S
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 10:37 AM

Last week I picked up a Lawrence Smart mandola {tuned CGDA}. A fine instrument - it's been very hard to put down.

Smart Instruments website

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: GUEST,Kevin in Seattle
Date: 30 May 08 - 04:05 PM

I truly would recommend a company called Kremona, they are from Bulgaria. For a few generations they have made violins, having studied in Cremona Italy (where stradavarius is from).

I have an acouostic/electric nylon string Fandango model, and it is beautifula nd sounds great. Nice fingering and quality projection. They haven't been in the U.S. for very long, but people are starting to discover them.

Mine is solit walnut back and sides with Spruce top, and I love it.

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: GUEST,stroknvettn
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 09:26 PM

I'll play my Martin any day. I'll play an old Telly or JazzBass, too!

"Thank you Mr. Martin, I'm alright"...

Thank-you, too, Norm...

I have known Ronnie for more than twenty-five years and he's the only one I trust with my axe. Well... If I can't find Ronnie, Randy Wood's not far away and I KNOW that one is way worth his salt, considering whose guitar he works on that ain't a 'Cruz...

I haven't seen Ronnie in longer'n I'd like to admit and heard a couple years ago almost, that he'd had a significant cardiac event. Surely that explains why we haven't heard more from his neck of the pines lately... But he's still here by His grace so let me close with this:

If ever there were a good, multiply factory-certified, keep-his-word and deliver the workmanship and professionalism ya'll have heard about kinda guy... Don't blink at packaging your guitar and spending for premium shipping. And don't be surprised to have your instrument hand-delivered if you guys frequent the same haunts 'n festivals.

Another thing- I know less than a half-dozen people who have one of Ronnie's custom-crafted guitars- two of them early-effort Brazilian guitars- and they are truly outstandingly crafted and tonally exemplary pieces of artisan work. Let's not disclose the exact number of folks I know who are elated with their Griffin Guitar, rather, I'd close this rambling oratory by opining that there's about 99% satisfaction with those folks instruments and their relationship with Ronnie and his shop.

Ronnie surely deserves to know who believes in him, and his mission. Here's wavin' atchya, old friend... I still need to send you the one with the separated top!

-Frank Farley- (Jax/Sarasota/Crystal River, FL)

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 09:36 PM

Kevin!

Just reading and cought your mention of Ross Teigen... Awesome guy, lmao, HATES upright basses... Have you seen/played any of his fretless basses? WOW! I like an old 'Bone, so his guitars in that design are less important to me- although they are equally remarkable instruments... I just got a real kick back about 1990 when I acquired my 130y/o Czech monster... Rode down from Sarasota to his shop and he wasn't impressed with my relic, and made it real clear that he didn't give a s**t to have a string-bass on his premises!

But then, we got to talking as I noticed some of his basses hanging next to me, and have been acquainted ever since. I can say with certainty that taking a big-bass to his shop is as unholy as visiting a vegetarian friend with some Mountain-House freeze-dried Turkey Tetrazinni lurking in your tote, and the wife kindly goes to do your laundry!

Visit Ross while you're venturing south to check out Ronnie Griffin. Expect something like the Lorax and go away with a new perspective. A heckuva neat individual who deserves cudos for his progressive mindset.

-Frank-

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: theleveller
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 05:44 AM

I agree with Richard that Atkin guitars are excellent - came close to buying one recently but got a great deal on a ex-demo Avalon with a very rare Brazilian Rosewood body instead. Ralph Bown guitars are excellent, too, and I know several people who own them but, if you want one, you'll have to wait several years.

Peter Barton in Addingham near Ilkely makes superb instruments - mainly classical guitars, but also great steel strung guitars (Kate Rusby has two, John McCusker has a cittern).

Thomas Buchanan of Cleckheaton makes absolutely wonderful instruments of the mando family. Mrsleveller has a brilliant mandolin and Tom Bliss has a mandola.

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: Hamish
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 06:06 AM

Guitars built by Luthier Alan Marshall in Derbyshire in the UK. Specializing in Steel String Acoustics. www.northworthy.com

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 06:21 AM

Is yours a Northworthy, Hamish? It's a beauty!
Sharon Fountain plays Northworthy too.

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: Hamish
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 06:30 AM

yes, of course. She has a big sister, too. She's also rather nice.

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: GUEST,Gary
Date: 19 Feb 12 - 06:21 AM

I have an acoustic guitar made by PETE BACK of Rotherham, I bought the guitar reasonably cheaply as I had learnt to play on an old Westfield which was dying. I have since played in several folk clubs and a couple of 'professional musicians' have been impressed by the guitar. One of them had a Martin which he said cost over £2000 and thought my guitar was of comparable quality.

Does anyone have more info on Pete or his guitars. It seems he made mostly electrics and both Clapton and Gary Moore played them, along with the band Saxon. I am particularly interested in finding out more about his acoustic guitars.

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: GUEST,999
Date: 19 Feb 12 - 06:48 AM

http://www.peteback.com/

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jun 12 - 06:48 PM

For the attention of Simon Alexander (2004 message) and anyone else who is interested.

My mother owns the first ever guitar made my John Bailey (friend and colleague) circa 1950 / 1955, an acoustic. I'm looking for advice on insurance valuation and restoration.

Can anyone help?

Feel free to email me at: [e-mail]

Cheers

David

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: Betsy
Date: 17 Jun 12 - 08:30 PM

There's a lot of you keep talking about instruments and not "under appreciated luthiers" as per the thread title. Come to think of it I'm not sure what the Title means , but whether he is is appreciated or not in the UK there's only one Kiddo in the UK - Vince Hockey.
Top man - you either know or you don't.

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: GUEST,John Foxen
Date: 18 Jun 12 - 11:32 AM

I don't think Richard Bartram qualifies as a Kiddo among UK luthiers as he's even older than me. But his guitars are beautiful to look at, a dream to play and highly appreciated by those of us who have made the trip to his workshop hidden away in the Cambridgeshire fens. He's a very accomplished jazz and folk player and his instruments are crafted for the needs of the players.
His mandolins and bouzoukis are mouthwatering as well.
And his repairs are marvellous.
"Could I trust him to cure the fret buzz on my Martin?" someone asked me recently.
"Sir," I replied, "He could strip your Martin down to its soundhole and rebuild it from that -- then it might sound half as good as my 30-year-old Bartram."
Do have a look at his work at Bartram Guitars
He has just started making nylon strung guitars that would be wonderful for anyone interested in playing in the styles of Baden Powell and Charlie Byrd.

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jun 12 - 12:14 PM

http://mickjohnsonguitars.com/

Mick Johnson from Reading is an excellent builder and repairer of acoustic and electric guitars. Check out his web site.

Subject: RE: Underappreciated luthiers and instrument
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 18 Jun 12 - 01:40 PM

"Chris Toogood is based in Grimsby...saw some of his instruments when I was in UK in September - wonderful sounding...makes 'one offs'...a name to remember for the future."

|Heard some of Chris's guitars and actually had a quick play on one he made for his Boss...
Superb sounding guitars and very nice guy...