In 1980 having qualified as a cabinet maker and silversmith and recognising that I wished to pursue a career of making and restoring guitars, I felt that my knowledge and skills could be greatly enhanced both practically and theoretically by a thorough study of Violin, Viola and Cello construction. To this end I apprenticed myself with Mr Brian Lisus an accomplished Violin and Cello maker. I spent a year making and repairing the Viol family, reading a large volume of books exploring and enjoying the amazing history and facts of that field. The knowledge and skills gained far outweighed the hours of work and study. I now feel that my handcarved Jazz guitars and my Archback acoustics, together with every other guitar that I make, benefit greatly from this period of my life.

For a few years I continued to make and repair the Viol family, but after my studies with Santa Cruz guitars in 1985, I decided to specialise in guitars. Thank you Brian.