Mud, mud, mud but a great time had by all! See posts on Instagram for the full experience....
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Thinking of buying a a new instrument? A rather biased view on why a luthier-made instrument can be a good investment.... :) see here |
Follow all the latest on Instagram: whats been in the workshop, bronze casting, giant onions, mud kitchens... :)
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What I do....
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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 have a small selection of instruments for sale, or I can undertake a commission to build an instrument to your specificaiton and budget. Find out more here
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Upgrades and repairs
I can install/upgrade nuts, bridges, machine heads, strap buttons 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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INSTRUMENTS CURRENTLY FOR SALE
Acoustic Guitars 2 available
These guitars have a soundport on the upper bout creating an immersive sound that can be clearly heard by the player without decreasing the projected tone to the front. This totally changes the playing experience, especially in the company of others - you can hear yourself! Dreadnaught sized bodies give a powerfull balanced sound and have either conventional or innovative bracing styles to provide a unique character to the tone. They all project well with strong bass responses.,
Tenor ukuleles 2 available
Two instruments with spectacular koa tops. One has figured kia back and sides, the other has figured ovangol back and sides. Both have radiused ebony fingerboards, sound ports with shell position markers and a traditional nitrocellulose; the all-koa version is decorated with hand cut abalone inlay and purfling.
Carved top and back celtic style mandolins 3 available
Mandolins with deep carved tops and backs tuned for tone and balance. Necks are slightly wider than standard, with gently radiused fingerboards and medium frets for easy fingering and chording. These mandolins have tremendous projection particularly suited for sessions and group playing.
Cant-top celtic style mandolins 1 available
Mandolins with a flat back and a 'cant-top' to increase the break angle of the strings over the bridge. Necks are slightly wider than standard, with gently radiused fingerboards and medium frets for easy fingering and chording. These mandolins are loud and have a rich warm tone for solo or ensemble playing..
Simple flat-top celtic style mandolins 3 available
Simple flat-top instruments in spruce and mahogany with a satin oil finish. Less decoration and detailing that other models but great attention to fretboard and set-up make it a very playable instrument at a decent price. It is loud and bold - ideal for pub sessions!
Citterns 1 available (ex demo)
Weissenborns None available at this time - but try the demo model!
Acoustic Guitars 2 available
These guitars have a soundport on the upper bout creating an immersive sound that can be clearly heard by the player without decreasing the projected tone to the front. This totally changes the playing experience, especially in the company of others - you can hear yourself! Dreadnaught sized bodies give a powerfull balanced sound and have either conventional or innovative bracing styles to provide a unique character to the tone. They all project well with strong bass responses.,
Tenor ukuleles 2 available
Two instruments with spectacular koa tops. One has figured kia back and sides, the other has figured ovangol back and sides. Both have radiused ebony fingerboards, sound ports with shell position markers and a traditional nitrocellulose; the all-koa version is decorated with hand cut abalone inlay and purfling.
Carved top and back celtic style mandolins 3 available
Mandolins with deep carved tops and backs tuned for tone and balance. Necks are slightly wider than standard, with gently radiused fingerboards and medium frets for easy fingering and chording. These mandolins have tremendous projection particularly suited for sessions and group playing.
Cant-top celtic style mandolins 1 available
Mandolins with a flat back and a 'cant-top' to increase the break angle of the strings over the bridge. Necks are slightly wider than standard, with gently radiused fingerboards and medium frets for easy fingering and chording. These mandolins are loud and have a rich warm tone for solo or ensemble playing..
Simple flat-top celtic style mandolins 3 available
Simple flat-top instruments in spruce and mahogany with a satin oil finish. Less decoration and detailing that other models but great attention to fretboard and set-up make it a very playable instrument at a decent price. It is loud and bold - ideal for pub sessions!
Citterns 1 available (ex demo)
Weissenborns None available at this time - but try the demo model!
Some recent custom builds
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A bespoke Viola Braguesa tuned up and ready to pass on to its new owner earlier this year. Top is European spruce, back and sides are made of Pau Ferro with a mahogany neck fitted with twin carbon fibre reinforcing bars. Rosewood everything else with a TruOil finish. This has been such an interesting build requiring a thoughtful approach to construction.in the Baroque style. It sounds so sweet! Sound clip here, and more information in the Blog
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This is a bespoke cant-top flat-back mandolin built from selected AAA European spruce top and beautiful figured walnut back and sides. The cant-top design is based on traditional Italian bowl-back instruments and the greater break angle of the strings over the bridge gives a powerful sound, rich midrange with top end sparkle.
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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
See more reviews here
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
See more reviews here
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