I was born in the south of England in 1964. I build traditional guitars using traditional methods and materials. I am always aware that all the timbers I use were once living trees and deserve much respect. For this reason, I strive to achieve the finest workmanship possible using predominantly traditional hand tools. This allows me to understand the flexibility and grain structure that I feel I could not get using machinery.
I aim to produce guitars that are lightly built, with low body resonance, and comfortable and easy to play. I admire the work of José Luis Romanillos, and have been very happy to hear that many players have made a comparison tonally, to that of my own instruments.
I only use the finest selected European spruce for the top that has been climatically stored in my workshop for at least 5 years. Although I have been using Indian rosewood for the bodies for many years, I have been having great success with non-endangered woods such as maple and walnut. If utilized well, these timbers can produce guitars with superb musicality. I believe that a remarkable tree deserves the opportunity to become a remarkable guitar.
Richard Newman
