Commissioning an Instrument

The process for commissioning an instrument begins with meeting you, listening to your current instrument if any, and understanding what your needs are. Then, usually a discussion on which instrument model and size might give you the sound you want, and enable your physical technique will follow. For guitars the materials can be more varied, for violins and violas and cellos it tends to be more conservative. However it is possible to make violas and cellos from a variety of back and side woods other than maple quite successfully.

Some Instruments I have made

Violins based on Guarneri del Gesu, “Plowden”

The first 7 violins I ever made were all derived by my interpretation of this violin. This is a compact violin studied by Sam Zygmuntowicz in the Strad3D project in 2009. The back length is only 351mm and it is characterised by small corners, delicate overhangs and low smooth arching, the top arch being only 14mm. I was drawn to this model because of its compact size and because many makers have had a good experience with it. 

¾ Violin based on Strad “Titian”

This was a project in 2020 to explore the different body shape and arching of a violin based on the Strad “Titian”. I also explored some other concepts of body shape and bass bar design with this violin.

Custom OM 28 Steel-String Guitar

Completed in 2021, this guitar was commissioned as a gift for someone special. This guitar was based on the timeless Martin 1933 OM-28 and considerably lightened compared to the plan I had in view of the superb strength and lightness of the wood being used. It was conceived as a fingerstyle guitar and it turned out to be one. Superb note definition, balanced treble and bass, classy tone. The most exciting part of this build was when Louis Kwok of Kjung Woodwork, armed with photos of the 4 cats of the customer, worked on the cat headstock headplate. Literally magic ensued.  

Swiss spruce top, European maple back and sides, walnut neck reinforced with carbon fibre rods, double-acting truss rod. 

Custom Classical Cut-away Guitar

A Classical guitar commissioned in 2017 with a view to playing fingerstyle jazz with smooth classical strings. An interesting model was chosen for this guitar, the 1982 D’Aquisto Nylon String Guitar. The classical fan bracing is coupled with steel-string cross bracing and it works remarkably well. 

Swiss spruce top, European Walnut back and sides, Laminated Maple/Ziricote Neck.

Custom Soprano Ukulele

A soprano ukulele commissioned in 2020. Personal model. Classical Ukulele bracing. Custom leaf soundport. Swiss spruce top, American Maple back and sides, Laminated Maple/Ziricote Neck.