Links
Luthiers
Here's a page of links to luthiers' websites. I'll be adding to the list from time to time.
| Atkin Guitars | Atkin Guitars was founded in Canterbury, England, in 1995. Alister Atkin makes some of the best vintage Martin and Gibson replicas you'll see this side of the pond. Still in Canterbury, now a two-man operation, he builds around 80 guitars a year, each one handmade and completely individual. |
| Peter Barton Guitars | Peter Barton has been making high quality fretted instruments in Addingham, West Yorkshire since 1986. he's probably best-known for his classical guitars, but also makes steel-string flat-tops, Maccaferris, citterns, mandolins and ukes. He also provides an expert repaid and restoration service. |
| Blues Creek Guitars | John F. Hall, Jr. makes high end instruments in the American acoustic guitar tradition and is a highly regarded Martin Warranty Repairer. He also sells a range of guitar kits and tooks for guitar-making. His website is full of information and his YouTube videos on guitar-making are a tour de force. |
| Frets.com | Frank Ford's website. Frank is sadly no longer with us, but this is still the most informative website on repair and restoration techniques in the world. |
| Stephen Hill | Stephen Hill has been producing fine classical and flamenco guitars since 1985. During this time he spent many hours in the workshops of Manuel Reyes (Cordoba), Antonio Marin Montero (Granada) and other legends of the guitar making world. He is based in La Herradura by the coast in Granada province, Andalucia, the home of legendary Andres Segovia and the Andres Segovia International Guitar Competition. As well as building guitars, Stephen does high quality restoration work and has worked on some of the finest guitars in the world including Antonio de Torres, Hauser, Fleta, Bouchet, Manuel Reyes, Ramirez, Fabricatore and countless others. he also teaches the art of guitar making for 2 months every year to students from all over the world. |
| Kovacik Guitars | Kovacik Guitars and Fretted Instrument Repair was founded in 1995 by luthier Steven Kovacik, who has been building and repairing guitars since 1986. Steve is a specialist in building and repairing flat top acoustic guitars, and is a CF Martin Authorized Warranty Repair Service agent. He's also worth contacting if you're looking for vintage tuners for a guitar as he as acquired a large stock over the years. |
| Manchester GuitarTech | Steve Robinson's website. Steve is one of the North-West of England's leading luthiers, and his website is full of useful information. |
| Richard Osborne | Based in Llandidloes, Powys, West Wales, Richard builds high end guitars, mandolins and bouzoukis - and places on his guitar-making courses are highly sought after. |
| Stefan Sobell | I've never met him in person but feel I know him well as I've worked on many of his instruments and owned a few. Apart from his distinctive guitars, it's hard to imagine traditional music without his 'cittern family' instruments. |
| Taran Guitars | Rory Dowling has been building guitars, mandolins and bouzoukis in Fife since 2002. He combines traditional excellence with innovation to create a range of distinctive and sought-after instruments. As Martin Simpson says, "Rory is on track to be one of Britain’s most creative and successful guitar makers." |
