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Early Musical Instrument Making

 

PETER BARTON GUITARS: Established 1986 in Addingham, West Yorkshire.

Part-time lecturer:
Classical Guitar Making at Leeds College of Music 1992/99

A Little History:
In 1979 I moved from London up to West Yorkshire and started making guitars in my spare time. The desire to make musical instrument making my full time occupation was realised when I was offered a place at the musical instrument workshop at West Dean in Sussex.

Under the direction of Roger Rose I learned the traditional methods of instrument making to the highest standards. The workshop specialises in the making of early musical instruments, Baroque lutes, guitars, viols, violins, cellos and basses. The West Dean Workshops have a well deserved reputation for producing superb instruments and apprentices are expected to work to professional standards.

I am extremely grateful to Roger without whose tuition and guidance I would never have made it as a professional instrument maker. He not only taught me the essentials of how to sharpen tools and use glues and varnishes, but he also made me strive for perfection in my instrument making (I am still striving!).

I was making bowed instruments at West Dean, mostly viols and one unusual commision for a tromba marina (see Gallery).

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In 1986 I returned to Addingham in West yorkshire to set up my own workshop as a full time Luthier making classical guitars.

In 1987 I submitted three instruments for assessment by a distinguished panel of Luthiers, including Jose Romanillos, David Rubio and Stephen Gottlieb, for the biannual Craft Council Awards for musical instrument makers. My application was successful and I received a grant to assist in the development of my work and inclusion on the Crafts Coucil Register of Makers.

Since 1986 I have concentrated on making classical guitars, but have also made a number of steel string acoustic guitars.

This year, 2002, I have the pleasure of moving into a purpose built workshop and am looking forward to guitar making more than ever. It's not always the stress free occupation that some romantics might imagine. However, it is an absolute pleasure to make a guitar from some of the most beautiful woods in the world and then to hear it played in concert. That is job satisfaction!

Kate Rusby

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