1969 – 1973 Brunel University, London. Graduated with an engineering degree
1973 – 1978 British Aircraft Corporation, Preston, working as a development engineer. I decided that this wasn’t the career for me so, after a few temporary jobs, playing in a band and a bit of travelling, I did a one-year, post-grad teaching certificate at Oxford Poly.
1979 – 2011 I worked in the Midlands as a design + technology teacher in two middle schools and then as a class teacher in one primary school. I moved to Cornwall in 1988 to take up a role as deputy head at a primary school in Helston. This was followed by two headships – the first in Redruth and then Camborne. I retired from teaching in 2011.
2011 – The present. I did a twelve-week course in guitar-making at Totnes School of Guitar-making. Since then, I have worked (part-time) in my workshop at home, making instruments and developing my knowledge, experience and skills, and have been successful, in a modest way, at selling instruments to customers, locally, nationally and internationally (two to USA).
INSTRUMENT PRICING
The starting point for my pricing is £3800. This for a standard-sized classical/flamenco guitar with top-quality hardwood back and sides and spruce or cedar top, ebony fingerboard, unique, hand-made rosette and a hard case. I hold a small stock of standard instruments. If the instrument is commissioned with higher or non-standard specifications (e.g. tuning pegs, non-standard design elements, custom-made case) then the price goes up accordingly. Smaller guitars would be less, although minimally so, as the amount of work is very similar to standard-sized instruments.
I work closely with customers on commissions, taking note of their views and requirements at every stage of the design and build.
