Email info@whitemanguitars.co.uk Tel/Fax +44 (0)1273 453 583
My interest in guitars started the first time I picked one up and found I was fascinated by this unique and wonderful instrument. Interested in its historical diversity and varied repertoire, I soon turned my attention to making, looking for inspiration from the great makers such as Fleta, Hauser, Simplicio and Torres. I have also had the rare and exciting opportunity to restore instruments by these makers.
After studying guitar making at the London College of Furniture I set up my own workshop. Later, I was appointed senior lecturer, guitar making, at London Guildhall University. I left here after eight years to concentrate fully on making my own instruments.
The guitars I make are precisely constructed, handmade from the finest materials to produce a finely balanced instrument with a firm, even response. I'm very selective when choosing timber to make a guitar, and reject over 80% of what I see when buying wood.
This attention to detail is continued in every aspect of my guitars, from the handmade rosettes, each individually designed and assembled, to the traditional French polish finish.
To complete a guitar I carve a subtle but detailed headstock and use hand-made machine heads by David Rodgers.
As individual players look for different qualities, I offer two models of concert guitars which I feel complement each other, whilst offering subtle differences in tone colour and response.
The first, a small bodied guitar, offers exceptional clarity and quality of sound, and is based on a 1936 Hauser, whilst the larger bodied instrument (pictured right) produces a full, rich, aristocratic sound.
I make guitars for concert musicians, professional teachers and keen enthusiasts, and have sent guitars to America, Japan, and throughout Europe and Scandinavia. The building of one of my guitars was the subject of the television documentary, The Guitarist and his Maker with recitalist Richard Durrant.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss any aspects of my work or to commission a guitar.
My email address is info@whitemanguitars.co.uk, or you can phone or fax me on +44 (0)1273 453 583.
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