2023 Models update
After nearly a decade of working with models developed as a student or on the fly as they were needed, with my moulds battered and warped and my demo models looking a little long in the tooth, I have begun the daunting task of overhauling the range of guitars I offer.
The aim is to standardise my designs, incorporating and setting all the little changes that sneak in over the years as I have improved as both a maker and a designer, and to make the range much more cohesive. This involves making new plans, templates, moulds and ultimately instruments.
As a result all of the instruments listed below will be changing somewhat – the concert models are getting a little larger, with the addition of a baritone model and a fanned-fret option, a new mid-size instrument is being introduced and the session is undergoing it’s fourth iteration.
As a result some of the photographs below are a little out of date now.
I do believe that the new models represent a very genuine improvement, so if you are interested in ordering a bespoke example please do get in touch and I will be happy to talk you through the guitars on offer going forwards.
The Concerts –
Nylon String
The Potter nylon string is my signature guitar and personal favourite. Designed from the ground up towards the end of my masters degree the intention was to create an instrument for fingerstyle folk and blues players that would combine the tone and clarity of a high quality classical guitar with the playing characteristics, projection and bass response of a large steel-strung guitar.
Unlike most guitars the cutaway was built into the design from the first draft, using an enlarged lower bout to compensate acoustically. The resulting large lower soundboard is managed by a bracing system informed by tried and tested classical guitar fan bracing patterns but incorporating elements of twenty-first century jumbo and dreadnaught X-bracing. The unique D bridge was designed to complement this system.
The resulting sound is a well-balanced and warm with strong low notes, clear, bright trebles and good projection.
The design features a narrower neck than a typical classical guitar, with a slight radius to the fretboard and the instrument is intended to take high tension strings for a much lower playing action. In practise it feels more like a very easy to play steel strung guitar than a regular classical, and responds well to most playing styles.
Scale length 656mm, 14th fret body join as standard.
Also available as a 680mm sl., 15th fret body join baritone guitar, and as a 646-666mm sl. multi-scale.
Featured instrument right: thinline, left-handed and with short scale (630mm, 13th fret body join), English walnut back and sides, figured European spruce soundboard, holly trim and mahogany neck.
Featured instrument in gallery below: regular, American walnut and red cedar with three piece walnut and hornbeam neck and bubinga trim.
The side mounted soundports on all three instruments shown are optional.
Prices from £3600
Steel String
Although the Potter concert shape was conceived from day one as a nylon strung instrument, almost as soon as I made the original I began fielding requests from guitarists for a steel strung version. ‘Wow, this is a great guitar; would you make a steel strung version?’ Eventually I gave in and went back to the drawing board some years after drafting the original.
I have tried to keep most of the features of the concert that guitarists responded so well to, only changing what was necessary to allow for the change in strings. I went through a few bracing layout/bridge design combinations before I got something that was doing what I wanted it to, but eventually honed in on a system that provides excellent volume and articulation without taking the sound too far away from the rich, complex tones of the original.
Featured instrument right: Californian walnut back and sides, ebony trim with owner-designed custom inlay work, spruce soundboard and Honduras mahogany neck
Pricing and options as nylon string version.
Studio
Debuting with the range overhaul, the studio represents my first new guitar model in several years, though in many ways it is one of my most traditional designs. Sitting between the concerts and the session in size with a very comfortable scale and neck, it is extremely easy to play without feeling ‘small’. The design takes cues from larger bodied, shorter scale guitars from the late 19th and early 20th century but with fully modern construction – a wonderful blend of vintage and contemporary.
Although primarily conceived as a 640mm scale 12th fret instrument, as shown, the body shape is designed to work equally well in 14th fret configurations with a slightly longer scale and provides an extremely versatile design. With brilliantly well balanced tone and very good volume whilst remaining lightweight and responsive, the studio body shape can be the platform for guitars to suit almost any playing style and preference.
Available as 640mm scale with a12th fret body join, 646mm scale with a 14th fret body join, or as a long scale tenor or plectrum guitar.
Featured instrument top right and gallery: Figured ovangkol back and sides, red cedar soundboard and ebony trim.
Featured instrument lower right and gallery: ‘Flapjack’ – made with all local timber, walnut back and sides, cedar of lebanon soundboard, flamed maple neck, ash binding, apple tree fretboard, bridge and headstock. Walnut, apple and maple sounded like a good pastry to me, it certainly has a sweet tone!
Prices from £3250
Session
A modern take on the parlour guitar, the Session was designed to get the maximum possible volume and projection from the smallest possible full sized instrument. The idea was to build an instrument that it would be easy to carry out and about to a session or jam that people would definitely hear you playing.
Essentially a parlour sized instrument with the punch of a jumbo, it is a guitar that never fails to surprise.
A compact 626mm scale and a 12th fret join steel strung guitar, with a comfortably proportioned chord playing neck and a powerful and distinctive tone complete a very player-friendly package.
The studio shape also makes a fantastic starting point for a modern tenor guitar, a mandocello or guitar-bodied bouzouki.
Featured Instrument right: Current model with New Forest grown ash back, sides and neck, spruce soundboard and reclaimed bocote trim.
Instruments in gallery: local walnut walnut back and sides, maple neck and Laburnum fretboard all grown in the New Forest national park, with a spruce soundboard.
Queensland silky oak back and sides, flamed maple neck, ebony trim with a spruce soundboard.
Prices from £2750
Other Guitars
I can also make guitars to a wide range of traditional and historic designs, with the European romantic period and the American guitars of the late 19th century being particular favourites, if you want anything specific or unusual feel free to get in touch!