Model 1

Taking inspiration from Herman Weissenborn’s groundbreaking instruments but applying the design principles to an electric instrument, the Model 1 is completely hollow from the nut along the neck and into the body. As well as reducing weight, the hollow body adds depth to the sound without compromising sustain. The bridge and bridge pickup sit on a solid block but otherwise the whole instrument is hollow.

The Model 1 has a scale length of 660mm (26”) which handles lower tunings well and feels familiar to most guitar players. Most Model 1s are strung through the body, anchored on the back with a high quality solid brass ferrule block. Various UK-made pickups are available.

To see what’s currently available for sale, see the For Sale page.

Model 2

In the 1930s Gibson began producing its EH - Electro-Hawaiian - line of instruments. They were some of the first electric instruments and were hugely popular thanks to the interest in Hawaiian music at the time. Many of these instruments survive and they’re great steels.

My Model 2 is a modern instrument, inspired by - but not copying - these early 20th century designs. I’ve extended the scale length (from 568 to 620mm) to accommodate lower tunings and to ensure a more familiar fretboard to guitarists.

The body is built like an acoustic guitar with solid wood sides bent and the body attached with a dovetail join to a carbon-fibre reinforced neck. The hollow body and top-loading bridge gives the sound a woody depth similar to an archtop and the unplugged sound is surprisingly clear and loud.

Fitted with a British-made P90 pickup as standard though other options are available.

To see what’s currently available for sale, see the For Sale page.

Model 3

The first lap steel guitar I ever played was a 50s Fender Studio Deluxe. Honestly, it was a little underwhelming. They were student instruments and the pickups don’t really provide what most people are looking for in a lap steel guitar. I found the bridge cover frustrating since I was so used to palm muting at the bridge.

My Model 3 has a slightly longer scale length (either 600 or 620mm) than originals. The 620mm scale suits lower tunings and the spacing feels more like a regular electric guitar. The 600mm scale is great for C6 tuning while still keeping enough tension on the strings.

I have used a variety of pickups but prefer to use single coils, either Broadcaster- or Filtertron-style, for clarity. Wired with a three-way tone switch or a Varitone, it really is a hugely versatile instrument.

To see what’s currently available for sale, see the For Sale page.