I have been making stringed instruments of one sort or another since 1985.
In 1990 a growing interest in early plucked instruments led me to West Dean college, near Chichester, where I trained under the direction of Martin Haycock. The course at West Dean is a three year apprenticeship scheme with the vast majority of course time spent ‘at the bench‘ working on instruments commissioned by paying customers. This system puts great emphasis on the set-up and playability of instruments as well as quality of craftsmanship. Emphasis is also placed on a knowledge of the history and evolution of the instruments concerned. The specialist techniques of repair and restoration are also covered.
After graduating from West Dean, I set up a workshop in Worcestershire making early plucked instruments, specialising in members of the lute family and early guitars.
Oliver Wadsworth