Summer festivals
We had some stellar musicians visit us and try out instruments at Wickham and Shrewsbury - At Wickham the sun shone and Rupert Hughes and Niles Krieger (Often Herd) jammed Whisky before Breakfast on flatback and archtop mandos, we had some lovely tunes from Sam Wood (Ferocious Dog) and Evan Davies (Often Herd) on the new octave mandolin, and Phil Hardy (Kerry Whistles) busked away on a Tenor Uke!
At Shrewesbury with wind blew (thanks to hurricane Ernesto and storm Lillian) and even the guys from Le Vent du Nord swung by (!) along with Mike Cahen from the Elkie Brooks band. Kieran Zsifris, who plays octave mandolin in Katheryn Tickell and the Darkening is trying out one of my octaves in the video below, which attracted a lot of favourable notice at the festival.
At Shrewesbury with wind blew (thanks to hurricane Ernesto and storm Lillian) and even the guys from Le Vent du Nord swung by (!) along with Mike Cahen from the Elkie Brooks band. Kieran Zsifris, who plays octave mandolin in Katheryn Tickell and the Darkening is trying out one of my octaves in the video below, which attracted a lot of favourable notice at the festival.
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Latest instruments
New! Big sounding octave mandolins with arch tops and backs. These have a 21" scale which is suited to both tune playing and accompaniment. More information here
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Sound clips of octave mandolins
New! great sounding flat top mandolins that are simply styled but built and set up to the highest standards - only £850 with TGI extreme case Find out more here
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Sound clips of the simple flat-tops.
What I do....
Playability make-overs
Have your instrument set up for best playability and tone. I am an experienced player who can set up action, intonation on a new instrument or restore it to its former glory at modest cost!
Find out more here 
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Hand made instruments
I build guitars, bouzoukis, mandolins, citterns and Weissenborns which have fabulous tone, projection, playability and attention to detail at a reasonable cost. I usually have a small selection of instruments for sale, or will consider commissions to build an instrument to your specification and budget. Find out more here
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Upgrades and repairs
I can install or upgrade nuts, bridges, machine heads and pickups, and remedy problems with electric instruments. I can also undertake refrets and larger repairs - get touch for advice and a free appraisal.
Find out more here 
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Recent videos and sound clips
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A carved celtic style mandolin with a cedar top played by Simon Mayor
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Sandy Stanage playing Albatross on a sound-ported D-style guitar with a sitka spruce top and figured mahogany back and sides
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Celtic mandolins, with sound samples
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Octave mandolins, with sound samples
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Hand-cast bronze tailpieces
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All my mandolin family instruments come with a bespoke hand-made cast bronze tailpiece. These add volume and sustain to the instrument as energy from the string is reflected back to the bridge and not dissipated into the back of the instrument. Choose from the unique caltic harp design or a classic simple trapeze style. Both can accomodate loop or ball-end strings. Other designs could be 3D printed and cast as a special request. |
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I entrusted my Mike Vanden mandolin to B&H Mandolins for fret dressing, fretboard cleaning and set up. They have performed an excellent job on my best Mando and it sounds superb. Thanks to Dave for his excellent and speedy workmanship. EJM Edwards July 2024
Dave has done some superb work on 3 of my instruments, including my much-loved old Martin D-18 (he restored a sticky and claggy finish to a level I wouldn’t have thought possible.) I’ve also been impressed by the quality of the instruments he has built and may well ask him to make one for me some day!
MOT for a Gordon Smith Tele and American Schecter nicely executed. I definitely recommend Dave's services.
I was having trouble with a new octave mandolin that hadn't been set up correctly in the shop. I emailed Dave and he responded really quickly and we set up an appointment for me to take it by. He was able to set it up properly for me and answered all my questions while he was at it!
Dave is super friendly and gave my Martin acoustic some much needed TLC. It now plays like the first day I purchased it. I would highly recommend Him for any guitar work. His own build guitars also look superb! Will absolutely use again.
After waiting 8 years for a Viola Braguesa I found the right maker. Dave said he’d not heard of them but that didn’t stop him. Within a few days he’d sorted the details. I was initially nervous but friends who bought hand made instruments by him were in no doubt. It took him only a month & the result was a bright clear sound with easy action on the finger board. The design classic, with some Mattey original touches. His care & attention to detail exceptional. He experimented with different tunings & was able to advise on the best tuning for sessions. It sounds like a ringing small 12 string guitar but with ten strings. Mr Mattey is a master. March 2023
I took a rather beaten up Martin to Dave and asked him to repair damage to the soundboard and carry out a partial refret. The end result is way better than I was hoping for. The improvement to the soundboard is incredible (see the pics) and with the partial refret and set up, the guitar is playing beautifully. Great craftsmanship for a very reasonable price and a lovely chap to chat with to boot! March 2023
Two jobs: First, a complete overhaul and new Lindy Fralin pick-ups fitted to my 1980s Fender Telecaster. Second, a restoration and deep-clean of my 40-year-old Ovation Adamas. Both beautifully done. The Adamas is like a new guitar once more. And the Tele plays wonderfully and sounds fantastic. Great work, thank you! Highly recommended. January 2023
I first met Dave from B&H Mandolins on his stand at Wickham Festival 2022 when I stopped to admire the beautiful instruments that he had made. We discussed some 'issues' with my mandolin (not B&H). I followed up our chat and recently had Dave make the changes that he had suggested. I am delighted with the work done and the service and advice that I received. Dave is a really nice guy, he is interesting, willingly shares his knowledge and experience, and his work is of a very high standard. I am very glad to have met him., January 2023
Dave has done some superb work on 3 of my instruments, including my much-loved old Martin D-18 (he restored a sticky and claggy finish to a level I wouldn’t have thought possible.) I’ve also been impressed by the quality of the instruments he has built and may well ask him to make one for me some day!
MOT for a Gordon Smith Tele and American Schecter nicely executed. I definitely recommend Dave's services.
I was having trouble with a new octave mandolin that hadn't been set up correctly in the shop. I emailed Dave and he responded really quickly and we set up an appointment for me to take it by. He was able to set it up properly for me and answered all my questions while he was at it!
Dave is super friendly and gave my Martin acoustic some much needed TLC. It now plays like the first day I purchased it. I would highly recommend Him for any guitar work. His own build guitars also look superb! Will absolutely use again.
After waiting 8 years for a Viola Braguesa I found the right maker. Dave said he’d not heard of them but that didn’t stop him. Within a few days he’d sorted the details. I was initially nervous but friends who bought hand made instruments by him were in no doubt. It took him only a month & the result was a bright clear sound with easy action on the finger board. The design classic, with some Mattey original touches. His care & attention to detail exceptional. He experimented with different tunings & was able to advise on the best tuning for sessions. It sounds like a ringing small 12 string guitar but with ten strings. Mr Mattey is a master. March 2023
I took a rather beaten up Martin to Dave and asked him to repair damage to the soundboard and carry out a partial refret. The end result is way better than I was hoping for. The improvement to the soundboard is incredible (see the pics) and with the partial refret and set up, the guitar is playing beautifully. Great craftsmanship for a very reasonable price and a lovely chap to chat with to boot! March 2023
Two jobs: First, a complete overhaul and new Lindy Fralin pick-ups fitted to my 1980s Fender Telecaster. Second, a restoration and deep-clean of my 40-year-old Ovation Adamas. Both beautifully done. The Adamas is like a new guitar once more. And the Tele plays wonderfully and sounds fantastic. Great work, thank you! Highly recommended. January 2023
I first met Dave from B&H Mandolins on his stand at Wickham Festival 2022 when I stopped to admire the beautiful instruments that he had made. We discussed some 'issues' with my mandolin (not B&H). I followed up our chat and recently had Dave make the changes that he had suggested. I am delighted with the work done and the service and advice that I received. Dave is a really nice guy, he is interesting, willingly shares his knowledge and experience, and his work is of a very high standard. I am very glad to have met him., January 2023
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/z1EqHt9XmKpa9TFs/?mibextid=lOuIew
Yeah, man I absolutely love it. Thanks so much. I tried to send a video of me playing ot for the first time, but it is too big. I'd be happy to write a recommendation for you. Best regards, Brett Lovell Simple flat-top, August 2024 
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....good to see you earlier and I'm thrilled to have my new octave mandolin.. Absolutely delighted with it. Thank you indeed for giving it so much thought and for taking such care to create a very beautiful instrument that you can be proud of.. Each note is pure with impressive sustain, sounds amazing and looks amazing too. Yew is not the easiest wood to work with, but what an awesome back and sides you've created.. quite unique. It was kind of you for involving me in the design and building process.. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey and feel I've learnt a lot.
Octove mandolin with new owner, February 2024 
I bought a simple celtic style mandolin as my first mandolin. As I was buying from overseas, Dave kindly sent me detailed information about the instrument (photos and sound clips) via e-mail. I am so much happy with its beautiful appearance and tone. Thanks a lot!
Simple flat-top pictured in its new home in Tokyo, July 2024 |
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Site and images © DaveMattey 2024