Andy Manson (luthier)
{{short description|Portugal-based luthier}}
{{BLP sources|date=November 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
Andy Manson is a luthier who has been hand-crafting guitars for over four decades. He has also made mandolins and multi-necked instruments. He is based in England, and is known for his flat-top, acoustic-guitars.Simone Solondz, Custom Guitars: A Complete Guide to Contemporary Handcrafted Guitars, San Anselmo, California: String Letter, 2000, {{ISBN|9781890490294}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=JKEIAQAAMAAJ&q=Andy+Manson p. 126].Dave Hunter, [https://books.google.com/books?id=SCGWb6KEE7AC&dq=Andy+Manson&pg=PT434 The Rough Guide to Guitar], London/New York: Rough Guides, 2011, {{ISBN|9781848365858}}. He has influenced pieces by Hugh's & Brook Guitars, Elysian Acoustics{{cite web|url=http://www.12fret.com/new/elysian_model_M_pg.html |accessdate=31 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008054407/http://www.12fret.com/new/elysian_model_M_pg.html |archivedate=8 October 2008 |title=Elysian Guitars }} and Gary Nava.{{cite web|url=http://www.navaguitars.co.uk/ |title=Home |publisher=Nava Guitars |accessdate=2014-07-15}}
History
Manson studied at the London College of Furniture, completing a course based on the production of stringed-instruments. Such course of which was non-existent at the time - the college itself eventually encouraged Manson to create his own course tailored specifically to luthiering. Constructing his first instrument in 1967,{{cite web|url=http://andymanson.com/aboutbio/ |title=About |author=Andy Manson |year=2012 |accessdate=29 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603032406/http://andymanson.com/aboutbio/ |archivedate=3 June 2012 }} Manson started a workshop dedicated to the process shortly after in 1969 in Sussex, UK.
In the early 1980s, Manson was joined by his brother, fellow luthier Hugh Manson, who focused on the production of electric/bass-guitars. The pair opened a shop together in Devon, England in 1985.
Notable works
In 1974, Manson crafted an instrument for John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin. The instrument featured three necks: a six-string, twelve-string and mandolin. The instrument can be found featured within Led Zeppelin's acoustic sets throughout the mid to late 70's. The production of said instrument can be found detailed in Manson's book Talking Wood.{{cite book|author=Andy Manson|title= Talking Wood, a guitar maker's diary |year= 1998 |publisher= R&D Associates |location=Tiverton|isbn= 9780951751213}}
In 1994, Manson was commissioned to make another triple-neck guitar for Jimmy Page which was implemented during the Unledded performances.{{cite web |url=http://www.led-zeppelin.org/joomla/studio-and-live-gear/241 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015153126/http://www.led-zeppelin.org/joomla/studio-and-live-gear/241 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=15 October 2018 |title=Manson Triple Neck Acoustic Instrument |publisher=led-zeppelin.org |accessdate=19 March 2012}}
Notable clients
- Jimmy Page{{cite book|author=Ray Bonds|title=Illustrated Directory of Guitars|year=2002|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=za3deDtl_AcC&pg=PA224|pages=224–25|publisher=Salamander|location=London|isbn=9781840652888}} and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin
- Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull
- Andy Summers of The PoliceKevin Ransom, "Invisible Threads", Guitar Player, 1 April 1994, [https://web.archive.org/web/20160203083314/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14895494.html via Highbeam].
- Mark Chadwick of the Levellers{{cite web|url=http://andymanson.com/index |title=Fine instrument luthier |author=Andy Manson |publisher=Andy Manson |accessdate=28 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603032219/http://andymanson.com/index |archivedate= 3 June 2012 }}
- Dónal Lunny of Planxty and The Bothy Band
- Matthew Bellamy{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BtWOzLQHdqF/?igsh=d2Q1YmxtYnI0cGh3 |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=www.instagram.com}} of Muse
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://andymanson.com Finding a Voice in Wood - Official website of Any Manson]
{{Guitars}}
{{Woodworking}}
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