Guitars

“It’s the instruments that write the songs”

Steve Knightley, Show of Hands

We make guitars in all shapes and sizes from Martin O size all the way up to Lowden Jumbo style and classical to Weissenborn slide guitars.

It does not matter what genre of music you play we can manufacture an acoustic guitar to match your needs.

Whilst we can build an instrument with only an outline guide from our clients, our aim is to produce a top quality instrument that incorporates as many of your ideas as practical. We have plans and design information for many guitar and mandolin styles but can also create designs outside of the box for more ‘individual’ instrument ideas.

Most of our guitars are based on Martin shape and styles .. why ? .. well simply because Martin have been making guitars for a very long time and have got the design right, and of course you all now what we are talking about when we say “triple 0” or “D28” .. but if you don’t, no problem ! We can explain all the different sizes and styles without resorting to jargon…. mostly :-)

Just because you cant see it here….…does not mean that we don’t make it!

As we make all instruments individually we can customise your instrument to your requirements.

Tenor Guitar

Our second best selling instrument as played by Martyn Joseph and Show of Hands.

An 'O' sized 4 string guitar that delivers a response that seems unlikely for its small size, played by Steve and Phil of Show of Hands

and also by musical maestro Martyn Joseph

Click to hear Martyn playing his Oddy Tenor Guitar.

For more information about the Tenor Guitar click here

Prices start from £1820

OOO and OM Guitars

So, whats the difference between the 000 and OM

• The body of a standard OOO is nearly an inch longer than an OM instrument which makes the body length nearly the same as a Dreadnought and gives a marginal but noticeable increase in the bass and volume.

• The bridge is further down the body (towards the tail) and this suits some fingerstyle players who often play close to the bridge. The bridge is also more centred on the main part of the soundboard and gives the instrument a clearer tone, I liken this to hitting a drum either on the edge or the centre !

For more information about a OOO click here

The 0M has a shorter body, 14 frets to the neck join and a different scale length….So, what difference does the scale length make ?

• Using standard weight strings at the same tuning on the shorter scaled OOO the strings will be lower tension (looser).

So, more sensitive to the touch, more bendable, but perhaps a bit less volume or punch !

Whilst the slightly longer scale length of the OM will have a greater volume and projection but you might say is slightly more ‘difficult’ to play with the higher tension strings.

For more information on the OM click here

So in the simplest terms, a player who wants the greatest volume and projection might gravitate toward a longer scale instrument, while a player who

wants the more delicate expressiveness of note bending might prefer a shorter scale instrument.

Of course its never that simple and there are many other factors like nut width or timber selection that can influence a player's choice.

Prices start from £1920

Larger bodied guitars ...

Need something with a bit more volume and presence ? We can do many styles of bigger beasties !

Dreadnoughts

Often referred to as the “Buskers Guitar” which is a little unfair as it is a very versatile instrument that can be used in many playing styles and genres.

A big bodied instrument loved by rhythm players but can still deliver with some delicate fingerstyle playing.... but if street performance is your thing then these instruments can deliver loads of “punch” and will make your presence known!

For more information on the Dreadnought click here

Prices start from £2070

Jumbo

For those who like the sound of a jumbo we build using a body based on a Lowden 'O' to a specific design request from Steve Knightley

...... we refer to it as the Jumbo SK

Click here for more information about the Jumbo

Prices start from £2220

The Martin 'M' style (OOOO) instrument is also a popular option as a versatile instrument in the standard or cutaway versions

We can also build this as a Jumbo varient with an 'M' outline body and Dreadnought depths .. bit of a monster but worth it for the response.

... Guitar shown is not for the faint hearted ! how do you fancy a fan fret guitar !!

Click here for more information about the M sized guitars

Parlour Guitar ... and smaller bodied instruments

No not just a ladies guitar !

This instrument with its long Newyorker style body easily competes with the OOO instruments

.… admittedly with its narrow waste it does suit those of a smaller stature !

Prices start from £1900

We have also built smaller 6 string guitars based on O ( the same as the Tenor guitar) and OO sized bodies which produce a brighter and punchy little beast

Click here for more information about the Parlour Guitars

Cuatro & Ukulele

"We have been playing David Oddy instruments for nearly 30 years and the Show of Sound is defined by them

……..On stage I feature the guitars, mandocello, tenor guitar and also the unique South American tones of the cuatro and with Nick’s help hope to be featuring these Oddy instruments for years to come.” Steve Knightley

Click here to see (a much younger) Phil Beer playing the Cuatro with Show of Hands in the RAH.

A Venezuelan Cuatro of our standard design as played by Steve Knightley and Phil Beer from Show of Hands

Available in two models as a studio or a slightly bigger concert version

Prices start from £970 for the studio and £1120 for the concert model

We can also build Ukelele's from Soprano to Baritone

Click here for more information about the Cuatro and Ukelele's

"I've played many hand-made instruments over the years, and David and Nick's combination of construction and high quality materials is among the best in the business. There's also nothing that can touch their cello-mandolin in terms of unique sound, depth and songwriting inspiration!" Ian Cleverdon of The Huers