dings,
new guitars. New Recordings,
new guitars.
After years of interest in the world of harp guitar, Martin comes closer to realising the dream....a harp guitar of his own.
Enter the world and workshop of Mr Ralph Bown, guitar maker and luthier to the great and the good. Martin heard that Ralph had made a harp guitar inspired by the Larson brother's Dyer harp guitars made in the 1920's. A fan of harp guitar of many years, Martin tried one out and has commissioned Ralph to build one for him. A couple of years later and we are getting close (being a great guitar maker means that Ralph has a couple of years waiting list)
Martin recently visited Ralph in Leeds to
see progress and sniff the mahogany sawdust for himself. 
We think that it
should be ready in the spring. That is just in time for some of Martin's
new recordings and a planned new album.
Right is a photo of Ralph Bown and a man nick-named "Quince" with a
harp guitar that Ralph made for him last year. Quince has been able to give Martin
a few tips and he played some wonderful music in Ralph's workshop. On the left
is Ralph holding the huge Brazilian mahogany back which will become the back of
Martin's harp guitar. Here
is Martin putting his fingers on the guitar neck (uncarved) for the very first
time. The width of the the fingerboard 
being an important issue.
Although Martin fancies himself playing a harp guitar like his hero Michael Hedges it will be a while until it gets seen and heard at a gig. Martin anticipates a 2007 locked in his practice room for many days on end.
If you don't know what a harp guitar is, or what one sounds like, watch this space.........