In Good Company

After a month travelling the country visiting guitar shows, Alex Bishop reflects on the vibrant UK lutherie scene

Perhaps it’s not entirely unfair to imagine your stereotypical guitar maker as a hermit-like creature, crouched over a gloomily lit workbench among dozens of half-built instruments and forgotten projects: a grumpy rejection of the outside world, wordlessly conversing with wood rather than people. And while there is still plenty of time – for me, at least – to shrink away into full-time seclusion, this past month actually saw me actively engaging in guitar shows and festivals all over the country, travelling well over 1,000 miles to exhibit guitars, meet makers and chat with guitar enthusiasts. It’s been a thrill to meet many like-minded luthiers from all corners of the UK; the lutherie scene is fizzing with talented, passionate – and young – individuals.