Milsom Guitars
Acoustic Guitar building is my passion. New builds especially but I've undertaken a number of repairs to other guitars from loose bindings to broken necks, nut and saddle adjustments, machine head replacements...
I'm essentially a hobby builder where profitability is not the main driver. I charge the current market value at the time of an order for requested materials plus a small percentage to cover electricity, tool wear and tear and small sundry items. There is no hourly rate, work takes as long as necessary and estimates of start/completion are just that, estimates. Above image: Guitar based on a Gibson J185, back and sides: Bubinga, soundboard: Lutz spruce, a rosewood fretboard with split parallelogram inlays. Pseudo cutaway to 16th fret and an adjustable neck to suit different playing styles. |
My HistoryI completed a four year wood-machining apprenticeship finishing with final and full technical certificates in wood-machining before changing direction to study applied photography. Technical and forensic photography have been the main stay of my working life. Having retired, I can concentrate on my passion for working in wood, especially acoustic guitars. My first acoustic guitar was constructed during my apprenticeship in 1971 followed by others until 1975. In 2009 I started building again for myself. Guitar models varied, based mainly on Gibson's: ES175, J185, Les Paul, ES dot 335, with a couple of classical guitars too.
Recently I've been building more generic Martin based models: OM, Triple 'O', Dreadnought and 'O' sized Parlour guitars. Started building with East Indian Rosewood and Flame Maple for back and sides, with Lutz or Sitka spruce and Western Red Cedar for soundboards. Now looking to build with native timbers (Cherry, Yew...) as their sound quality is indistinguishable from available tropical woods. Fixed or adjustable necks available for all models, machine heads and electrics supplied as required. |