Roger Williams - Luthier

Restorations and repairs

In addition to making hand-made guitars I also do a limited number of specialised restorations, modifications and repairs.  I specialise in restoring old guitars that are finished in shellac French-polish.  Please note that I do not spray Nitro-cellulose lacquer it is an extreme health hazard.  However I do a commendable job of brushing the stuff and can patch finishes reasonably cleanly.

The range of specialised repairs that I am prepared to undertake is illustrated by the examples below:-

A 1969 Guild Parlour guitar for Gordon Giltrap

The neck had lifted to such an extent that it needed a reset.  This job needs to be done carefully and is not for the inexperienced or fainthearted, it is all too easy to damage the finish or remove too much material.

An early Roger Bucknall (Fylde Guitars) steel-string acoustic for Gordon Giltrap

The table had collapsed and needed re-bracing from the inside, a new bridge made and fitted with a Bridge-Doctor to keep the table flat, refret and complete refinish with shellac French polish.

Taylor 414 steel-string guitar

The owners wife had dropped a plant-pot on this one, but he loved the neck shape so much he wanted the top replaced at any cost!

Martin Fleeson Classical Guitar

The owner was a good friend of the late maker and used the guitar frequently.  After thirty years it was showing its age and badly needed a refret and complete refinishing with shellac French-polish.

Roudhloff c. 1840

This gorgeous baroque guitar was basically in sound condition but there were several cracks in the table and Brazilian Rosewood ribs that needed careful splining and cleating.  The bridge was nearly off and badly distorted and the French-polish finish was very poor in places.

Intonation correction

The saddle illustrated is from a Harmony 12 string guitar belonging to Gordon Giltrap (check-out Gordon's website here ).  The intonation had been a problem for many years (as it often is with 12 strings), and my work on several other guitars of Gordon's was so successful he asked me to correct this one - and yes, it now plays in tune on all octaves and harmonics!

Repair work undertaken

• I specialise in recommending and installing pickup systems to all types of acoustic guitars

• Restoring historical and "master-quality" classical and flamenco guitars that are French-polished

• Complete re-fretting and reconditioning of older instruments

• Intonation correction for nylon and steel-string guitars that are problematic.

I can arrange to have your guitar collected and delivered to my workshop; please see my Shipping Instructions.