Andy Manson is a luthier who has been hand-crafting guitars for over four decades. He has also made mandolins and multi-necked instruments. He is based in England, and is known for his flat-top, acoustic-guitars.[1][2] He has influenced pieces by Hugh's & Brook Guitars, Elysian Acoustics[3] and Gary Nava.[4]
History
editManson studied at the London College of Furniture, completing a course based on the production of stringed-instruments. Such course of which was non-existent at the time - the college itself eventually encouraged Manson to create his own course tailored specifically to luthiering. Constructing his first instrument in 1967,[5] Manson started a workshop dedicated to the process shortly after in 1969 in Sussex, UK.
In the early 1980s, Manson was joined by his brother, fellow luthier Hugh Manson, who focused on the production of electric/bass-guitars. The pair opened a shop together in Devon, England in 1985.
Notable works
editIn 1974, Manson crafted an instrument for John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin. The instrument featured three necks: a six-string, twelve-string and mandolin. The instrument can be found featured within Led Zeppelin's acoustic sets throughout the mid to late 70's. The production of said instrument can be found detailed in Manson's book Talking Wood.[6]
In 1994, Manson was commissioned to make another triple-neck guitar for Jimmy Page which was implemented during the Unledded performances.[7]
Notable clients
edit- Jimmy Page[8] and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin
- Ian Anderson[8] of Jethro Tull
- Andy Summers of The Police[9]
- Mark Chadwick of the Levellers[10]
- Dónal Lunny of Planxty and The Bothy Band
- Matthew Bellamy[11] of Muse
References
edit- ^ Simone Solondz, Custom Guitars: A Complete Guide to Contemporary Handcrafted Guitars, San Anselmo, California: String Letter, 2000, ISBN 9781890490294, p. 126.
- ^ Dave Hunter, The Rough Guide to Guitar, London/New York: Rough Guides, 2011, ISBN 9781848365858.
- ^ "Elysian Guitars". Archived from the original on 8 October 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
- ^ "Home". Nava Guitars. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ Andy Manson (2012). "About". Archived from the original on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
- ^ Andy Manson (1998). Talking Wood, a guitar maker's diary. Tiverton: R&D Associates. ISBN 9780951751213.
- ^ "Manson Triple Neck Acoustic Instrument". led-zeppelin.org. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b Ray Bonds (2002). Illustrated Directory of Guitars. London: Salamander. pp. 224–25. ISBN 9781840652888.
- ^ Kevin Ransom, "Invisible Threads", Guitar Player, 1 April 1994, via Highbeam.
- ^ Andy Manson. "Fine instrument luthier". Andy Manson. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 24 June 2024.