andy manson: Guestbook
Ismet Mustafic
20 July 2008
Really enjoyed your 'in the making images' on the site Andy. Having loved your book, 'Talking Wood' it's nice to get more images of your work in progress. I'm moving towards the idea of making my first steel string acoustic guitar. Your work is an inspiration!
Many thanks indeed
Ismet
Thanks Ismet, good luck with your first guitar. Best wishes, Andy.
Mr. HERB SHANAFELT
8 July 2008
It Seems Quite easy to understand why you are enjoyed such a clientele as Mr. Ian Anderson and Mr. John Paul Jones!! There are seasoned Luthiers on our West Coast..(Galif,. Washington, Oregon,etc) WISHES they Could court and attract such Clientle, by producing such Instruments that are ALSO clearly seen as Objects D'ART!
Why, thank you Herb. Andy
John Bolton
6 July 2008
Dear Andy,
I would like to buy a copy of 'Talking Wood' and will be happy to send a cheque if you would let me know the price including p&p.
I have two of your guitars, a Magpie 1 SN 950203 and the other I have been unable to identify.
It has 12 frets, spruce top, very rich coloured mahogany back and sides with rosewood binding. I think it's an oiled finish.
Upper bout 9.75" and lower bout 13.5". SN 820426.
This guitar has no label inside, only your name on the peghead.
I would be very grateful if you could tell me anything about it.
These guitars sound, feel, smell and look perfect. Can't tell you how they taste...
Best regards,
John
John, thanks for the comments. But, do you mean to say you've never even tried just a little nibble.....? Cheque for £25 for the book and CD, and £6 for postage (UK). Don't forget to send your mailing address with it! I'll have to check my serial number book, I'll get back to you.
Regards, Andy
David Malton
28 June 2008
Oh my god!! Here i am looking on the web trying to find out who made Matt Bellamy's guitar and i came across your site. Your Mermaid guitar is amazing.What people can create from a humble piece of wood is mind blowing.Ive never seen anything like it a real work of art.I had a guitar made by a friend in 1991 which i am rather fond of would you consider customising it with a kaoss pad? After seeing your work i know you would do a top quality job.
David, Thanks for your remarks. It's my brother Hugh who deals with electric guitars and all the Matt Bellamy stuff. I've forwarded your message to him. Good luck!
Regards
Andy
Fliss Davies
18 June 2008
Hello, I recently had the privilege of trying out one of your beautiful guitars, and was very impressed with its light and responsive feel and lovely tone. I love the artistry that shows in your instruments. I haven't yet had the opportunity to try one of your mandolins, but will be visiting the Cheltenham Guitar Show in September, so I wondered if you will have any with you there? Also, please can you give me an idea of the base price for mandolins, and do you ever build A-style mandos?
Kind regards
Fliss Davies
Thanks Fliss,
The birdseye mandolin in my photo gallery, for example, would be £5000. I could build an "A"style for you, with a flat back, for £3000. Hope this gives you some idea. Please call me at the workshop if you'd like to discuss any details. I look forward to seeing you at Cheltenham.
Regards, Andy.
Sean Earnest
14 June 2008
Hello Mr. Manson,
Your artistry is nothing short of amazing! Your bouzoukis are especially interesting to me. I really like the tone of one of your bouzoukis, played by a friend in Ireland, Cyril O'Donoghue. Are you still making instruments like his and if so, could you give me some price information? Thanks,
Sean Earnest
Thank you Sean,
If you could send me a photo of Cyril's bouzouki I can get some idea of what you are interested in. Then maybe we could discuss the details by phone. I find it's much the best way to clarify things. Best regards, Andy.
Danny Lauder
3 June 2008
I am absolutly amazed by your guitars.
i love playing electric and would love a hand made guitar from the best in the buisness.
could you email me some prices as i am willing to pay anything.
thank you
danny lauder
Hello Danny
You're too kind......Anyway, basic price for a flattop acoustic is £4000. Any type of model is possible. Custom requirements, like inlays, pickups etc and case are extra. What did you have in mind? Electric guitars are from about £2000, the price is greatly dependent on components.
Best regards
Andy
foyle
10 May 2008
Hi andy
you might now remember me?! Its foyle from Stroud.You made a Heron guitar for me many moons ago! Back in 1988/89 i think. Just wanted to say it sounds phenomenal at the moment, and has and still is providing so much sweet melodic tones that are also shared by friends and family! Its incredible to believe that my Heron guitar is going to get better and better with more time, because at the moment its just so beautifully booming yet crisp and clear! nice to know that you are continuing the masterful work. Best wishes in happiness Foyle
Hello Foyle. Great to hear the guitar is still serving you well. If you ever come this way it would be nice to see you. Andy
Mike Lydiat
10 May 2008
Andy
I have seen a couple of your side-hole acoustics on the web recently, sometimes described as prototypes. Is the sound 'muffled' to the audience when not amplified? Any reason they did not progress beyond the prototype stage?
Hello mike, I'm not sure what is meant (or by whom) as prototype. Some years ago I built a couple of guitars with no hole in the front, only the side. I wouldn't recommend that. A soundhole in the side gives more sonic access to the musician and doesn't (of itself) seem to badly affect the overall sound. Technically it increases the overall aperture for the given resonant chamber, thus raising it's pitch, (cf Helmholtz resonators).
Thanks for your interest. Andy
b.e_cooling
29 March 2008
Thanks for your time and attention, Andy. It was very much appreciated. I learnt more about my guitar through our conversation than I've managed to pick up in thirty years.
Regards,
Brian
My pleasure Brian. You got me on my favourite subject.....almost...
See you soon
Andy
Ivan Ossandon
24 March 2008
hi, im from chile, southamerica.
your guitar are awesome. absolutely.
which is the price?
bye.
Hello Ivan,
Thanks for your words. I build guitars to suit the client. What do you have in mind? Basic price for a six string is £4000. Let me know what are your personal requirements, I'll let you know the price.
Best regards,
Andy.
David Mather
22 March 2008
Hi Andy, really pleased to see the photos of the "tree" and my 12 string Magpie in the making. Both guitars are an inspiration and with the inlay wedded to me for life! For the record, the design of the Tree was totally down to Andy who followed my wish to have my initials in there somewhere. (Take another look and see how he did it). Thanks Andy, I'm in awe of your talent and will treasure my guitars always. Dave
Well thanks Dave, my pleasure....
Andy
Jeff Titus
8 March 2008
Incredible instruments! Thanks for posting the photos... any videos of your instruments being played.
http://harpsympitar.com
Thanks Jeff, that harp guitar of yours looks beautiful. I love Fred Carlson's work, (See LINKS), though I've never seen it in the flesh. There's a couple of videos of the mermaid on youtube.........
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9hWqQaVLLE http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xGQ3pAFXARI&feature=related
Best regards
Andy
Christopher Stuart Norman
7 March 2008
Hi Andy,
As a proud owner of two Manson guitars, built by Hugh, it is my intention to finally getting around to ordering a beautiful acoustic from yourself.
All the best,
Chris
http://www.csnproductions.com
Chris, I'll be happy to talk to you about it anytime........
Andy
Sarah McQuaid
6 March 2008
I am indeed a happy person now that I have the beautiful, beautiful guitar you made for me. It's taught me many things already and I look forward to getting to know it even better! Did my first gigs with it in Holland in Feburary and was delighted -- you can see it in action on www.youtube.com/sarahmcquaid -- also see photos on www.myspace.com/sarahmcquaid
Many, many thanks and all the best,
Sarah
Thanks Sarah, it's happy I am to hear you're getting properly acquainted with your bluebird.......Best regards, Andy.
David Casale
5 March 2008
Hello Mr. Manson, your work speaks for itself. I was curious about the mini guitar you made for Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. Would you be able to make another....perhaps cheaper version? (I am not a professional musician). If you could email me a price and or some photos of that beautiful instrument.
Thank you so much,
David
Thanks David, I will direct your enquiry to Brook guitars (See LINKS). We worked together on the original model, since then they have successfully built a good number.
Best regards
Andy
Mitchell Kane
21 February 2008
Greetings & Salutations
I have finally tracked you down after quite an effort.
Let me first say how impressed I am with your legacy, reputation, and craftmanship, as an exemplary luthier in the world of stinged instrumentation.
I purchased one of your instruments quite a while ago, and wanted to tell you, not only what a fine instrument it is, and secondly, how well it has stood the test of time. By today's standards, if there is such a thing, the quality, craftsmanship, and your vision that inspired this instrument, is unsurpassed.
I was wondering what you could tell me about this instrument, assuming you have the time and inclination, since I can find nothing in the authoritative literature that mentions this instrument.
The instrument comes with the following visual information, as follows;
Found inside guitar
Made by Manson Guitars
Kingfisher
Serial # 850726
"Dewsmoor"
Devon
Appears to be signed by you
Description
Wood not sure, Slot Top, 3/4 or Parlor size, looks like mother of pearl (not sure) tuners, machine gear is elegent sterling silver with beautiful etching, wood binding with hearingbone trim on top & around sound hole,
It also has a second sticker inside body of guitar;
Ivor Mairants, Musicentre LTD, 56 Rathbone Place, London W1P 1AB,
01-636/1481
Can you provide any history on this particular guitar, e.g. historical perspective or significance, if any, year produced (I think 1985), custom made or part of standard line, number made, technical specs - wood, machining, luthier of record (probably you), and perhaps any thoughts as to valuation in todays marketplace.
Thank you for your consideration in the matter
Warmest Regards
Mitchell Kane
Raleigh North Carolina USA
Hello Mitchell
Thanks for your kind remarks. The serial no. is the date backwards, so 26th July 1985. Currently I'm in New Jersey (until 2nd March) so I don't have my records to hand, I can't tell you much more about it except that I was working solo at that point, (as I do now). Ivor Mairants Musicentre is a guitar store in London( (at that time the only real contender) which I supplied occasionally. "Dewsmoor" is the name of the place where my workshop was located for a brief period, shared with my brother Hugh (building electric guitars and basses, (see LINKS). As to current market value, I couldn't say. Trading and second hand pricing and all that kind of stuff is not really my territory. Current price for new work is based on starting price £4000.
If you can email a photo or two I can probably identify the woods and so on. If you have a 'phone contact I could call you while I'm here.
Went to see Lyall Lovett and John Hyatt at the Count Basie Theatre last night. Most enjoyable, what a treat.
Best wishes
Andy
Artyom Bogosyan
16 February 2008
Greetings! I from Ukraine. It is very difficult to me to write on English, I ask in advance me to forgive. To me 16 years, very much to like sounding your guitars. I would like to buy your guitar Manson Black Midi Guitar. How many it will cost approximately?
Hello Artyom,
Congratulations on your English, it is completely understandable. As for my Ukrainian, it is I who must apologise since I don't have a single word.
I have passed your message on to my brother Hugh,(see my LINKS page), it is he who builds electric guitars, whereas I specialise in acoustic instruments.
Best wishes
Andy
chris gibbons
6 February 2008
you ARE the master...(ps how much is the mando?...;-D)
Chris
You're too kind.Dunno......it has a Calton case. Green. Say, 5k......
Stephen Sedgwick
5 February 2008
Truly amazing work you do and very inspirational. I hope I can make it to the Cheltenham Acoustic Show this year.
All the best
Steve
Thanks Steve. Love those harp guitars. Just recently, through lack of patience, I botched up the harp guitar effect on my personal twangle box. I'll put a couple of shots up. May take a moment or two.......
Hope to see you at Cheltenham.
Andy