Having studied independently for a period Stephen studied guitar making with José Romanillos in Spain over a number of years. This has led to his conviction that the Torres model of guitar is the best basis for a high quality classical guitar that produces both good quality and high volume sound.

He has become familiar with a number of variations based on the Torres model of instrument and has also studied the Granada makers techniques.

 

Research is being undertaken all the time to investigate different aspects of sound quality and sound perception. Studies of the physics of musical instruments and the characteristics of instruments by the best makers are being carried out continuously.

A visit to see the guitar maker Jorge Raphael in Brazil was an opportunity to discuss methods and finishes:

Several guitar making students have undergone a period of training in Manchester:

Stephen grew up in the South of England but moved North to do his first degree in Engineering at U.M.I.S.T. (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology) and his second, Masters degree, also in Engineering, at Salford University. He was for some years a designer and builder of machine tools for high speed metal-forming, successfully starting and running his own company, which he sold in order to start a career in guitar making.