Simplicity

The word simplicity is at the heart of every decision I make in guitar building. I strive for simplicity in how I work and in what I produce. Whereas I admire the atistry and mastery involved in ornate design work, I always find myself drawn to simple well executed designs. Simplicity is the core ethos of my guitar building.

Waste

I detest waste. I see my own pile of scrap material as both a resource and as a shame. I strive to build using techniques that make the best use of the resources entrusted to me and minimize waste.

Materials

I build using wood and metal. Plastic has no place on my guitars. It exists only where I cannot avoid it. I do not finish my guitars with petrochemical based finishes. I use beautiful natural finishes that do not harm myself or the planet.

Trees

I read a great quote from the book Braiding Sweetgrass that says (and I paraphrase), a tree grew for over forty years before you came to use its wood. The least you can do is devote some time to using it well. I love trees and being in the forest is my church so the least I can do is honour the use of this wood that I am working with the best that I can. I do not use wood from lists of endangered species. I try to know the sources of my wood and use from sustainable harvests. I do not use exotic cuts but simple wood that has its own beauty.