I create one of a kind, handcrafted stringed musical instruments. |
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Each instrument is heirloom quality, and may be custom designed in collaboration with the musician.
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When you buy a hand built instrument, it is always good to know who built your instrument. Mine is a workshop in which you know the instrument will have been built by me and me alone. I do not employ any staff.
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Making stringed instruments requires skills in both engineering and creative art, not only producing beautiful tones from fine woods and strings, but also working to a very high precision in order to maintian correct action and intonation, and produce an instrument that will mature through many lifetimes of being played. I bring together these skills with the art of producing an instrument that will be admired both now and in future generations. |
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Have your instrument professionally set up to get the best playing action, tone, intonation and overall performance. Many excellent instruments are not giving their best simply because they have not been set up correctly for the strings that are being used and for the needs of the player. |
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Finest quality horse hair is used for re-hairing bows of violin family instruments. I will also re-hair bows for bowed psalteries and other bowed instruments. |
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If your instrument is damaged, I will carry out a professional repair to ensure that the tone, structure, action and intonation of the instrument, as well as the beauty of its appearance are properly preserved in the process. |
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Many older instruments need the tender loving care that they will receive with a professional restoration or conservation. Time, accidents, climate change or simply many years of use can leave an old instrument fragile or damaged.
The process of restoration will, if possible, restore your instrument to a fine, playable condition. Conservation will preserve it in its original condition, with original parts ane materials as far as is possible.
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| The guitar pictured to the left is a one of a kind solidbody electric guitar with inlaid motifs that depict the old English dragon Knucker. For more information on this guitar, please click on the image. |
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I have been making and repairing fine stringed musical instruments since 1989, and I have played guitar and other stringed instruments since I was a child. I take pride in producing the finest quality instruments, which are a joy to play, as well as being visually awesome. |
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Tony Benson |
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