Bravewood Guitars
Customer Comments
Thanks to everyone for your kind comments and support...
Thanks to everyone for your kind comments and support...
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'AMAZING...the
incredible nitro-cellulose finish, ageing and workmanship is second to
none and that doesn't come from me...that is what my well respected local
luthier said when I showed him yesterday. He believed it was genuine (and
he's worked on my genuine 1964 original Fender jazz bass).
He had no idea...yet another testament to your genius...' Adam, Bournemouth |
| 'Received
the guitar today, thank you. I know you must get this all the time, but
the thing looks real, close up real at that.
The craftmanship is sublime. I let everything settle down for a few hours and then found out it plays as good as it looks. Faultless in every department and just how I wanted. I couldn't be more impressed and pleased...' Steven, Sheffield |
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'The recently
delivered T type is the 3rd guitar made by you that I own and it is the
usual high standards.
Your skill for making relicing look totally authentic is outstanding. The guitar looks and feels fantastic - plug it in and what a great sound - it even makes a mediocre player like me sound good. Keep up the good work - you make the so called aged products from a certain custom shop seem pretty fake by comparison. Phil, Yeovil |
| 'The
guitar is easy to play and has an extraordinary sound. I have a '64 and
a '65 str@t, 100% original and it is very difficult to distinguish the
differences with yours...'
Eric, Switzerland |
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'I
just had a chance to plug in the guitar and I am speechless. It is by far
the most beautiful guitar I have ever seen...it's beyond anything I could
have imagined or asked for...I really don't want to put the thing down,
it's just simply beyond words, and so is your craftmanship. Thank you again.'
Mark, US |
| 'What
can I say?...I was playing with the band yesterday and have never felt
so thrilled about playing. The '55 S type just sounded amazing, and it
feels so comfortable. The neck is perfect and sits like a glove on my hand.
This really is the best guitar I have ever played, and the best thing is...it's
mine. She's a keeper for sure. Only probelm is my other str@t doesn't live
up to expectations now, I'm going to have to let it go. The other guitarist
has a couple of 'F' custom shop str@ts but when he heard and saw my Bravewood
he said 'I have to get one of those!'
Lars, Sweden |
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'I've
had many 'F' relic str@ts over the last 6 years and one '50's str@t came
close to the best feel guitar ever!.....however having had a Bravewood
sonic blue S type about 2 months ago I now know what the ultimate in feel,
tone and look of my perfect str@t is. I look forward to picking up the
guitar whenever I can and at a recent gig many guitar buffs asked me about
the guitar, how old it was and how it must have cost a fortune as a vintage
from the '60's !!!.....'
Liam, Neath |
| The guitar's arrived!....down
to business
Yes, really pleased with it, I've only had a few hours with it but I'm loving it already. All the changes I asked for are perfect, neck is great, it fits really well, frets too. I lowered the strings a touch, and plugged in, well THAT was a surprise!! It sounds awesome...very woody, alive and resonant, not like any T type I have played before (although I haven't played any '50's examples) To top it all it isn't too trebly/thin sounding, in fact it sounds very beefy. The string tension feels good too, not too tight. The distressing is fantastic, again just the right amount for me and that guard really finishes it off. I'm sure as it settles in and gets used it will improve further...I plan to keep it for a while! Well thank you John for all your hard work. The only downside is that I now have nothing to look forward to! Tony |
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'I can't believe it, I was a bit spooked when I opened it, the thing looks time worn and it's hard to believe it was hand done. The colour is spot on and the ageing and yellowing fade to the neck is awesome. After drooling I plugged it in and was blown away, it plays amazing with those jumbo frets and the neck feels great. Those Voodoo ST60's are so well balanced and sound so strong and complex with a fantastic shimer when chords are played, it's almost like a tremolo effect, and most of all the bridge pickup is the only one I've ever like on an S type to date, it's on steroids but not harsh. This thing will do anything, pretty or all out assult. I'm made up. Cheers for building my dream and putting an end to my S type search Jonathan,
Grimsby
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| 'Bluey' arrived
safe and sound, many thanks.
What can I say?, my wife Sue said she wished I looked at her the same way I look at the guitar, 'nuff said. What really impresses me is that incredible neck, it has that warm, played in feel and is as solid as a rock. Plugging it into my old Vox the first time was a joy, the whole guitar rings like a bell. The only problem was putting the damn thing down! Once again, many many thanks John, you have a very rare talent. Mark, Dorset |
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'Out of the blue
the guitar arrived on Friday, that was a fast ride from the UK to Germany!
The guitar is wonderful and really a piece of art. Not only that it looks absolutely authentic (my friend has a '64 and was deeply impressed...) and beautiful, no and even more important it sounds so right! A sweet, full, rich and warm tone which I was used to from the old ones. Great tone so that I played yesterday for hours and hours...from Hendrix to SRV or Mark Knopler...this baby has it all! The set up was also perfect so that it has great playability. John, what more can I say: I'm deeply impressed or as Cream has put it...I'm so glad, I'm so glad, I'm glad, I'm glad, I'm glad.... Thank you very much, I've waited nearly a year for this great guitar, the waiting was worth every minute of it. Masterpiece is a big word but this guitar deserves it. Keep up this great work of yours. Best regards from a very happy man. Wolfgang, Germany |
| 'the guitar showed
up this afternoon - what can I say!, I thought I would have been used to
your work by now considering the bits and pieces that you have done for
me over the last three years or so - Starting with the fabulous B'caster
you built for me (still one of my favourite guitars to date) and the excellent
refinishes that you done for me on my original '62 & '64 strats. Well,
what I had got used to from you just majorly surpassed itself if that's
possible, it's taken a while coming but this relic S type you have just
built for me is just "F**king Awesome" - from it's playability to its vintage
spec and super relic look, I knew it was going to be good but this has
left me almost speechless.
I stopped taking my original '61 strat out sometime ago due to the fact if it were nicked I'd never be able to replace it (it's always been my No. 1 strat) but now with this guitar you have built for me I have a very close replacement for the '61 gig wise. Many many thanks John and once again F**king Awesome work...I love it. Steve,
Yeovil
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The wife had to sleep on the couch!!! |
'the
guitar arrived safely this afternoon, and for the first time I was rendered
speechless!. What I expected and what arrived this afternoon were 2 different
things, the guitar is absolutely gorgeous.
Way back in January, when I ordered it, I was never actually sure what I wanted, I mean trying to put down on paper my dream guitar is not as easy as you'd think, there are so many influences and different ideas gather in your mind over the years, I mean you see a str*t like Stevie Ray's and you want it, then you see Rory Gallaghers and you fall in love with that, Gary Moore's, Eric Johnson's, etc. etc. Pickups, there are so many to choose from, so narrowing it down into one guitar was almost impossible and with a long wait different ideas pop into your head and you begin to doubt what you ordered in the first place. But
the guitar you built for me has put my fears to rest, I now know what I
wanted and that's the guitar you built for me. When I opened the box, I
just took it out and put it on the guitar stand and me and the wife just
sat there and looked at it...and for 15 minutes I forgot how to talk, I
then tuned up and played it acoustically for a while, still unable to speak
English, meanwhile my amp valves were warming up, then I went for it! Played
every lick and practically every song I knew, ranging from squeaky clean
to really dirty, all I can say is every guitar tone in my head is there.
To
sum it up...PERFECTION!, after playing it for about 5 hours I then sat
down and looked very closely and noticed all the fine detail on the paint
work, it must have taken you hours, I still cannot believe how a new guitar
can look so old. It was a long wait but boy...was it worth it!!!
Geoff, Torquay |
| 'the
guitar arrived...I'm stunned, I'm perplexed, I'm amazed and I'm goin' nuts,
this S type beats hands down every vintage s***t I've ever had the pleasure
to know, let alone the so-called 'time machines'...holy sh*t!
Your workmanship is outstanding, the attention to detail second to none. This guitar not only looks convincing, it also feels and plays like an old one...my my my...how do you do that? The neck is not only worn in, it FEELS like being old, the guitar is very resonant and sounds great, even when not plugged in. The lacquer is virtually indistinguishable from an old nitro-cellulose one. It looks old, it even smells old...the scratches and dings are in the right places too and look real, not custom made. Jeez, man, I'm happy. This guitar was for playing by a musician for a musician, and it was worth waiting every single day for it! THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Mischa, Switzerland |
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'I
received the guitar today and the least I can say is it goes far beyond
my expectations!
That's the most impressive T type I've ever played, she's got looks, but soundwise I'm really impressed by the overwhelming quality, twangy but not harsh, loud but not over powering, it seems you read my mind! So, once again, many thanks for your support, and most of all for this T type masterpiece! Yannick, France |
| 'just
thought I'd let you know that my guitar arrived yesterday safely and to
thank you for making me such a great instrument.
The guitar looks really convincing, in fact it actually looks older than my real '62! Everybody who has seen it thinks it looks the part too. The attention to detail is fantastic. I could go on and on telling you how great I think my guitar is but basically I just love it... Kieran, Skipton |
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'I
thank God for your talents man. I received the guitar this afternoon!!!!,
BRAVO! you have created a masterpiece that not only looks fantastic but
FEELS and SOUNDS incredible!
I can tell that you really placed your heart and soul into making this one, and for that...I am forever grateful to you and your dedication to your passion of crafting these fine instruments. Leo would have been proud to have you as his son....!' from
a later email...
Rolando
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| 'I actually got
a little choked up when I first opened the case. You know that feeling,
when your wildest dreams becomes a reality? That pretty much describes
what I was feeling at the time. Even with all the time I spent staring
at the photos on your website, my bass included, nothing could prepare
me for the actual finished product. I mean really, you were touched by
the hands of God. Some day I will sit in awe beneath the Sistine chapel,
or stand with my jaw open in complete wonderment in front of the bullet
proof glass guarding the Mona Lisa, but for now, I have a Bravewood guitar.....'
Sean |
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'the
guitar arrived this afternoon I'm pleased to say, and beautifully packed
for transit I may say. I've been twanging away like a lunatic for the last
two hours, that guitar and a Deluxe Reverb are a match made in heaven.
The instrument looks totally original, plays absolutely superbly with a
perfect action, and sounds fabulous. I offer my sincerest thanks for all
the effort that must have gone into this project, and also for the fact
that I have been able to acquire all this at such a reasonable price.
I know you complain about being busy...but frankly it's your own fault!!!' Rupert, Essex |
| 'I'm
selling off most of my other guitars...they just don't measure up anymore...!'
Pip, Exeter |
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'it
is beyond my expectations...'
Kazuo, Japan |
'So
there I was, wrestling with the packaging, cardboard...tape...layer after
layer.....and then the flightcase locks...of course, I had seen the photots
of my '65 Jazz since I sent it away, but never in the flesh - I flicked
the butterfly catches, held my breath and slowly raised the lid...BUGGER
ME SENSELESS WITH A BLUNT VEGETABLE!!!!! (as my old gran used to
say) It was FANTASTIC!!! Perfectly reliced, with exactly the details that
we had dicussed and perfectly executed. The finish had gone from the equivilent
of a £99 polyester two piece from 'Suits You' to a battered, 40 year
old square cut, steer hide jacket which has seen every highway, bar and
pool hall from the Lower East side to the Oakland docks!......but how did
it sound? - it was good when it left me, but a bit of work bringing the
'65 back to it's former glory had also been undertaken...I plugged in,
switched on and......it SANG, it RANG, it GROWLED and it HONKED, as I had
hoped it always could again!! PERFECT - Thanks John, you made an old Jazz
very happy......PS - I have sinced convinced a friend who owns a couple
of pre-CBS strats that I bought it recently in an old pawn shop on the
Southside of Chicago from a guy who won it in a poker game in 1968, who
seemed glad to take the $600 cash for it I had on me........'
Keith,
London
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'I got the bass
this morning, it's great! I fell in love with it as soon as I took it in
my hands, I thought I was going to faint!, I'm so excited!
I played it for two hours straight before I actually looked at it, it sounded so good I couldn't stop playing. Now I've taken a look at it and it is truly amazing, it's so authentic, I don't know why anyone would believe me if I said it was brand new! It feels authentic too. You must be no. 1, there can't be anyone on this planet who does this kind of work better than you do! The details on the bass are fantastic, it's like a painting and a sculpture at the same time. Thank you John, you're the best!' Joakim, Sweden |
| 'Just got the 'S'
type today, what an amazing job you have done John. It was in tune out
of the box, rings and sustains like an old guitar should. I have had the
joy of playing some originals of late and I have to say that this comes
so close it's scary. Through an amp it just kills, makes my CS str*t tame
by comparison.
Jaw dropping, vintage guys have shared their enthusiasm and I don't know how you do it. John, keep doing what you are doing because I want more guitars...!' Craig, Birmingham |
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'I've
just received the guitar, it's worth every minute I waited, the work you've
done is so impressive.
I'm playing with friends this weekend and I'm so impatient to see how they'll react! Anyway, many thanks for this guitar...I will now have to begin to save for a 'T' type...' Bernard, London |
| 'Thank
you for all your great work, I wouldn't hesitate in saying it's probably
the nicest bass I've ever played. I love the neck and the finish looks
really good, the pickups sound lovely and it's a beautiful instrument that
I'm incredibly proud to own...'
Chris, Surrey |
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'...Bit like waiting
for a birth, all the excitement and anticipation but non of the grief -
well worth the wait (you can't hurry that level of dedicated craftsmanship).
A stunning replica with fantastic attention to detail and it plays and
sound as good as it looks. Creating the 'vibe' - well F****r could learn
a few lessons here, this definitely has THE 'vibe'!
I've owned genuine '60's st**ts and this is the closest you're going to get without shelling out at least £5K. A few years ago I bought a F****r custom shop relic - how do they compare?...F****r 4, Bravewood 9.9. Looking forward to my 'nocaster' now!...' Glen, Plymouth |
| 'Just
got it...all I can say is sensational, how you do it is just pure genius.
I've just had a go and she does play superbly, I must admit it's a really
light bass which was a pleasant surprise, the quality is second to none
and I've owned everything from £100 to £4,500 basses.
Once again, first class and thanks for all your hard work...' Dave, East Sussex |
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'I
LOVE IT, I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT...
It looks and sounds EXACTLY how I had hoped, I don't care how you do it...just keep doing it!!! Even the 'chancellor' was WELL impressed, she has seen me sink untold quids into various 'must haves' over the years but even she knows a good 'un. Many, many thanks John, Cambridge |
| 'I
received the bass yesterday morning. I'm absolutely blown away by it...it's
outstanding. Thanks so much for doing such a great job on it. It looks
even better in the flesh than in the pictures (and I thought they looked
great)
Don't be surprised if you get an email from a friend, he was quite taken with it too!!! Neither of us can believe how authentic it looks. Thanks again for all your hard work. Matt, Gloucester |
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'The
guitar arrived yesterday; it is fantastic, not only in its appearence (how
do you do that?) but in its playability and tone. My eleven year old son
thinks it is ultra cool and so do I.
I have long wanted a vintage T guitar; to own an instrument with such amazing street cred is brilliant and indistinguishable, to my eyes, and I suspect many others, to the real thing...thank you.....' Graham, Sevenoaks |
| 'Guitar
arrived safe and sound. I cannot describe how happy I am with it. It is
absolutely fantastic and on this basis I would only use you as my guitar
supplier.
After showing a friend of mine who has had pre-CBS strats and various other guitars, he was absolutely astounded at the authenticity and attention to detail that you have put into it, not to mention the fact that it actually sounds like one of the very good pre-CBS strats. I am thinking about my next guitar...!' Dale, Lancashire |
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'Just
a big thanks for the guitar, the quality is top notch and it plays better
and sounds better than any of my other guitars.
It has now become my number one without a doubt. Thanks again and keep up the good work...' Simon, Cumbria |
| 'The
guitar arrived yesterday, it's a really amazing instrument, I loved it
from the first look after opening the case...'
'I especially like the worn neck, it feels very good. Mysterious, there was no time to get to know the guitar but it plays as if it's been mine for a long time...' 'About the sound, it's a tone monster, it rocks...unbelieveable, great, I don't have words...!' Mathias, Germany |
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'I could hardly
wait to receive my '62', but now it's finally here I'm happy to say it
was worth every minute. This is a fantastic piece of work. I trade vintage
guitars, therefore it's been my pleasure to have played (and stared at)
a number of Pre-CBS strats over the years, and this is indistinguishable
- really. It even smells like my real '63. John has obviously put a lot
of work into this, and he obviously knows his vintage strats - the level
of detail is frankly incredible. I can only guess at the alchemy that goes
into producing these instruments (he won't tell you, so don't ask!)
What I particularly love is the rock solid neck pocket fit, the clay dots, the worn neck, and the brilliantly aged nitro finish. And did I mention the sound? The combination of the hot Voodoo pickups and the (very) resonant body have resulted in pure Stevie Ray/Rory G tone - even with my bizarre and hamfisted playing (I like to call that my 'unique style', but many would disagree...) I love this so much I haven't played anything else since I opened the case, so much so that my old '63 is going up for sale...' Scott, Suffolk Click here to visit the Mondo Guitars website |
| 'After speaking
to John at Bravewood Guitars regarding the specification bass I wanted,
I felt very assured and happy to have this man do some work for me.
I sent John the exact specification I wanted for the bass and John came back to me very quickly with a quote and work very quickly began. I always expected a bass of good quality, as you can clearly see if you look at his previous work on his website, but I never really imagined this could be as good as it is. I received the bass and the minute I opened up the case I fell in love. The pictures don't do this bass justice, it looks great and the neck is possibly the best I've ever played on. The nitro-cellulose finish was perfect and the set up spot on, which was unusual as I am very particular about the way my basses are set up. The sound and intonation were perfect. I simply cannot put this bass down. It plays like a dream, and when plugged in and cranked up in the studio it sounded amazing. The pickups are crystal clear, the tone fantastic, from a bright punchy tone to a deep thumping bass. I think I've already said this but the neck is amazing, it feels really smooth and really easy to fret with, and the general feel and playability is amazing. The build quality is fantastic, there isn't a mark on it and you can tell John had put a lot of effort into this project. The paintwork is fantastic, I've not had a bass finished in nitro to date, most of mine have been finished in polyurethane, but I really love the nitro-cellulose! I would recommend this guy to anyone who wants a seriously fantastic bass, any musician will appreciate work like this and it is well worth the money. I have no regrets in buying from Bravewood, in fact I don't think I'll be buying another new F****r as this simply beats the shit out of the ones I've played!' Luke, Slough |
Luke and his 'P' type bass, finished in olympic white, one piece maple neck, Seymour Duncan quarter pounder pickup, Badass ll bridge, Schaller tuners, 10 out of 10 finish |
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'Just
a few words to give you news about my guitar...
Tried
it yesterday with my band, it is wonderful!, I cannot describe this feeling,
it's as if you were in my brain to know exactly what I needed...(clear???)
Fantastic !!! Thank
you so much...'
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'I've been playing
the bass solid since I got it, haven't even turned the PC on, all I can
say is....WOW!
I knew it was going to be authentic from a distance, but really the pictures on your site don't even begin to show the depth of your work. It's absolutely amazing. The relic work is outstanding. If I didn't tell you it was only a matter of months old, you certainly wouldn't know it from picking it up or even playing it. The neck finish is gorgeous, and really fast too. As you said before, it's the little details that make a relic and you've certainly included them. To go down to eye level and examine the body is a revelation, it just looks so real. I was gonna play
this bass out, but I don't know whether to do that or just put it in a
glass case and look at it. It's a work of genius, John. Thank you immensly
for all the work you put in on it, it all shows. I'll definately be back
for my next bass.....'
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| 'It's
f*****g amazing, how did you get it to look 50 years old?...the pictures
on your site do not do your work justice...this goes beyond a replica,
it's bordering on forgery!...'
Steve, Yeovil Click image to go to review of pictured guitar |
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'...only
problem I'm having is getting the smile off my face...'
Jon, Click image to go to a review of pictured guitar |
| 'After
years of searching for the perfect bolt on neck guitar, I have finally
found the holy grail, thank you so much, it's the business...'
Simon, Leeds |
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'I
honestly believe there's no one else in Britain who can do the work you
do to such a high standard. I am privileged to be a customer...best guitar
maker since Leo!!!'
John, Aberdeen |
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'It
has to be one of the best refins I've ever seen...the additional work on
the neck is spot on. I would happily recommend you to anyone looking for
a strat or tele or anyone needing a refin on an old Fender...thanks again
for all the hard work and great communications while the work was in progress...'
Marc, Surrey |
'just
a quick note to say thanks for an exceptional service...friendly staff,
quality parts and very reasonable prices, I have rarely been so impressed...'
Nigel,
Sheffield
| 'WOW'
Lewis, Gloucestershire Click image to go to article about pictured guitar |
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'I'm
gobsmacked, I've played other 'relic' instruments and they feel like a
new guitar in drag...this feels like the real deal...'
Matt, Essex Click image to go to a review of pictured guitar |
'it
arrived Friday morning, it really is very, very good. The colour is spot
on and so very cool...'
Rich,
Hemel Hempstead
'got
it today, what an amazing piece of work...you really must be a wizard...'
Bjarne,
Oslo, Norway
'amazing,
the most authentic 'relic' work I've ever seen...'
Steve,
Cumbria
'Thanks
John, you are a craftsman...'
Tom,
California, US
'thanks
for a great service, I will certainly be using you again...'
Oliver,
Berkshire
| 'I
haven't put my new baby down since I got home from work, the bass is beautifully
balanced, super neck and lovely woody tone with a lot of warmth and intimacy...'
Ludwik, Leeds Click on image to go to a review of this bass |
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'you
should be charging more...'
Andrew,
Plymouth
'brilliant
goods, excellent service...'
Dave,
Surrey
'when
I play my Bravewood replica at a gig, people cannot believe it's not the
real thing...'
Josh,
Newcastle
'your
work makes the stuff other 'relic' companies produce look amateurish...'
John,
Gravesend
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'the
attention to detail and finishing are fantastic, I don't know how you do
it for the amount you charge...'
Steve, Surrey Click image to go to a review of the pictured guitar Please note that there are two reviews on this page, the first is a complete fake, I can only assume it was written by a competitior or someone with a grudge against me for some reason, this 'customer' does not exist and certainly does not own a guitar built by me! Notice the lack of detail in the comments? I bet this individual has never even held one of my guitars!!! |
'the
guitar arrived half an hour ago...it looks a work of art...'
Dafydd,
Wales
'the
smokey lacquer toning on the neck is perfect, really convincing...'
Derek,
London
'the
best vintage lookalike I've ever seen...and I've seen a lot...
Jerry,
Cumbria
| 'thanks
ever so much for such a wonderful instrument ~ it's the best guitar I've
ever owned, period. I'll be finishing the Boo (Hewerdine) tour with it,
that's for sure ~ it's number 1...'
Rob, Cambridge (photograph by Charles Devlin) Click image for more info on Rob's band 'the-low-country' |
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