Custom-Made Musical Instruments

Over the years I have made quite a few customised instruments. Mostly guitars,
these are instruments made in consultation with the future owner. The instruments
below give an idea of what can be done.

The price for a guitar, including an
excellent Kingham mTm case,
delivered in 2008 is about £3000.

If you wish to inquire about the construction of a custom-made instrument, contact me at

art@art-robb.co.uk

Click on any picture for a larger image.

SHORT STRING LENGTH CLASSICAL GUITAR Made for a musician who suffers from RSI in the left hand, this guitar has a shortened string length (600mm), low tension strings and a narrow neck. The combination allows for a very light and low action. The shape and barring of the guitar is based on the guitars of Louis Panormo. This guitar is now played regularly by a musician who previously had not been able to play the classical guitar repetoire. The instrument is a splendid example of what can be achieved by collaboration between maker and musician. Made in 2007.

A CUSTOMISED FENDER STRATOCASTER Only the body is original. New pickups, electrics and pickguard were chosen by the customer and installed. The new neck has a constant thickness from one end to the other, specified radii front and back and thicker than usual frets, creating a type of neck not available from Fender. The star inlays were the final touch on this customer's dream guitar. Made in 2006 and now in Crete.

OCTAVE MANDOLA An octave mandola of my own design. I had been asked to make one but didn't like any of the octave mandolas that I saw, so I designed and made this one. The white rose on the head was requested by the customer. The plan I sell for the octave mandola is based on this instrument. Made in 2000.

TWO MATCHING BIRDS EYE MAPLE ELECTRIC GUITARS Two guitars for a music studio in southern Gloucestershire, loosly based on a Stratocaster and a Rickenbacker 12 string, have beautiful matching birds-eye maple necks and facings on the bodies. The pickups were chosen and ordered by the customer. Made in 1986-8.

SMALL STEEL STRING GUITAR A small and light steel string guitar whose design was inspired by French guitars from the 1850's that had been in my workshop. I made the guitar for myself and still play it. It has a bright tone that contrasts well with larger guitars. This was an experiment that turned out well and the plan for the small steel string guitar that I sell is based on this instrument. Made in 1987.

CLASSICAL GUITAR A classical guitar that went to a home near Exeter. The customer chose the design and materials. Made about 1985.

LARGE STEEL STRING GUITAR The shape of this guitar owes much to the Martin HD28 but the customer specified the design of the barring. Made about 1978.

SANTUR A santur, a Persian hammered dulcimer, made from native English timber. It was copied from a badly damaged Iranian instrument. Original brass strings and tuning pins were used. Made in 1983, now owned by a Portuguese percussionist.