4.52am Issue: 008 13th November 2016

I found a piece of walnut faced plywood in
a skip, “that looks nice!” and then,
“...hmmm...sounds different!
Well, forty plus years later I'm still
wondering, though now I tend to use the
traditional luthier's materials, the classic
tonewoods.
Most of the science in my luthiery is that of
experience and intuition. I gaze at classic
work, in any kind of artefact, and I try to
absorb the configurations of nature.
I've built many guitars, lutes, mandolins,
dulcimers, and a variety of multi necked
and multi stringed instruments over the
years. I have learnt a lot and been able to
pass on some knowledge. My brother Hugh
and later the fellows at Brook Guitars
started under my guidance. I feel heartened
and rewarded at their achievements. One
of the things I enjoy most about being a
luthier is the willingness to share ideas with
other makers. It's a very supportive
community.”
Looking in particular at the Bouzouki Andy
has made for Andy Lambert, you can see
that every millimetre has been shaped
perfectly. The choice of woods used again is
testimony to his experience,
“The bouzouki built for Andy Lambert, has
English sycamore for the back and sides,
European spruce for the top, mahogany
neck and an ebony fretboard.
The bridge, truss rod cover and head piece
are also ebony. Binding is from the
strawberry tree, Arbutus, so called because
the fruit looks rather like wild strawberries.
So also the arm rest.