Bouzouki, Mandolin, Mandola and Cittern Maker

Thanks for visiting my web site. I have been making acoustic stringed instruments such as Bouzoukis since 1985 after training for a career in Design at Bristol Polytechnic in the early eighties. I started making the odd instrument at college, mainly solid body and semi acoustic guitars for local musicians, but it wasn’t until I started to get involved in traditional Irish music at the sessions in Birmingham that my connection with Bouzoukis started.

The first Irish Bouzouki I made was for Ivan Miletich of the now sadly lost band Long Acre from Birmingham. He still plays that same instrument today, albeit with the benefit of a few re-frets and services.

I now have my workshop here in the grounds of our cottage in rural Herefordshire which I share with my wife Annie, Ruddles our dog, the cat and chickens.

The Mandolin Family of Instruments

I concentrate most of my production on the Mandolin family of instruments, primarily Bouzoukis, Mandolins, Mandolas, and Citterns, and I work alone. This way I can control the whole process from start to finish. As everything I make is built to order I don’t carry stocks of any instruments, although I do have a set of demonstration instruments which you are welcome to try at any time. Just give me a call or email first.

So much can come out of a few conversations with a client, and I find the initial stages of the relationship essential for developing the brief for the instrument. I would try to encourage everyone to think about what exactly it is that they need and relay those thoughts back to their chosen Luthier.

Session, Performance or Studio Musician?

What sort of instrument do you want? Do you want a Bouzouki that can be heard properly in a pub session? Are you a performer? Do you do studio work? Do you need clarity, definition, projection and sustain? These kinds of questions will help me to fine tune the brief and ensure that you will ultimately take home the instrument you want: an instrument that allows you to take your musical ambitions to the next stage and beyond.

Now you’ve found your way here, I’d really appreciate your thoughts about my site. How did you get here, did someone tell you about my instruments, did you see one in a pub or on stage somewhere, do you have one already and would like another?

Please click here to let me know.