|
Welcome to the web site of ... Alan Arnold GuitarsFinely crafted, hand-built Guitars " From the wood - To the sound " I build the very finest quality acoustic
guitars (flat-tops, archtops and resonators) plus some 'state-of-the-art'
electric guitars. I also repair, customise and set-up all
types of guitars and other fretted string instruments.
Click here for my
Standard Range Guitars,
Custom
Made Guitars
and Guitar Shop |
|
Acoustic GuitarsWhether you play finger-style, flat-pick, or you need a rhythm guitar to accompany your self-penned masterpiece that will one day make your fortune - there is an Alan Arnold guitar that is the right guitar for you!My handmade acoustic guitars range from small bodied 12 fret guitars, through Baritone guitar giants (in size and sound!) to the AC49 acoustic bass guitar, that actually does what it says on the tin! There are also resonator guitars - with biscuit bridge or spider bridge - ideal for slide and blues. |
Archtop GuitarsArchtop guitars, for you jazz guitarists, are considered to be the ultimate test of the guitar makers' art. The fine tuning of the top and back plates, is the key to the tone and timbre of these remarkable handmade guitars, where the delivery of the note needs to be clear and distinct, as an individual instrument, and to 'cut through' when being played in a group setting.I love building these guitars, using hand and eye to give the carved top and back of an archtop guitar its gently flowing curves is one of my top satisfactions. |
Electric GuitarsThese are guitars for the jobbing session guitarist. When Big Jim Sullivan commissioned me to build a 2nd very special electric guitar for him, it was just impossible to say no! So after long design consultation, the BJS Legend EMA Guitar came into being. (EMA = Electric; Midi; Acoustic).There is a full description of this guitar on a separate page, about Jim and his Legend guitars, so I won’t give tech details here. However, I will say here, what a great honour and pleasure it was to build it for the “Session Legend” himself ! |
Custom BuiltCustomising the build of your new guitar is something that can take many forms. Whether its choosing exotic ornate woods for your guitar, or having that inlay design you’ve always wanted on your guitar, I’m ready to talk and guide you through the process of having a guitar custom made for you. You might even have an idea for a different type of guitar or part of the construction of a guitar that you would like to talk to me about . Whatever your needs or requirements, I am happy to talk to you about what would be best for you, AND your guitar! |
Repair / RestorationAlan Arnold Guitars offers a full repairs service. Whether you need a refret to your beloved guitar of old; the saving of a snapped headstock to your Mandolin; or maybe your guitar has suffered from the infamous baggage handler syndrome. Yikes !! It may of course just be an annoying switch noise on your Strat that needs sorting - no job is too small and I’m always interested in both you and your guitars. Note that I do repairs to nearly all fretted string instruments. |
Set-up / ServicingWhether it’s a set up on a new guitar that’s “straight out of the box”, or a guitar you’ve been using for years, it’s always good when it’s playing the way it really should, and the way that you want it to!I’m always taken by surprise at the way some players put up with bad playing actions, sharp fret ends, poorly fitting nuts ( ouch!), gunged up fretboards, buzzes, rattles and hums! Things that can easily be fixed and make the guitar a joy, instead of hard work. |
News : Now also stocked by
Santa Cruz UK/High
End Guitars' new shop in Nottingham - if that's
nearer, see them there,
& in the ad. in this month's Acoustic magazine.
Feel free to contact me - I am always happy to talk about
guitars.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people, both
guitar makers and players, who gave me their help along the way.
In return, I promise to give my help, where I am able, to help
others along that same way!