Andy Manson is a

luthier A luthier ( ; ) is a craftsperson who builds or repairs string instruments. Etymology The word ' is originally French and comes from ''luth'', the French word for "lute". The term was originally used for makers of lutes, but it came to be ...

who has been hand-crafting guitars for over four decades. He has also made

mandolins A mandolin (, ; literally "small mandola") is a stringed musical instrument in the lute family and is generally plucked with a pick. It most commonly has four courses of doubled strings tuned in unison, thus giving a total of eight strings. A ...

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,
p. 126
He has influenced pieces by ''Hugh's & Brook Guitars'', ''Elysian Acoustics'' and ''Gary Nava''.

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, 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 Devon ( ; historically also known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by the Bristol Channel to the north, Somerset and Dorset to the east, the English Channel to the south, and Cornwall to the west ...

in 1985.

Notable works

In 1974, Manson crafted an instrument for

John Paul Jones John Paul Jones (born John Paul; July 6, 1747 – July 18, 1792) was a Scottish-born naval officer who served in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. Often referred to as the "Father of the American Navy", Jones is regard ...

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock music, rock band formed in London in 1968. The band comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones (musician), John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. With a he ...

. 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''. In 1994, Manson was commissioned to make another triple-neck guitar for

Jimmy Page James Patrick Page (born 9 January 1944) is an English musician and producer who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of the Rock music, rock band Led Zeppelin. Page began his career as a studio session musician in Lo ...

which was implemented during the Unledded performances.

Notable clients

and

Ian Anderson Ian Scott Anderson (born 10 August 1947) is a British musician best known for being the chief vocalist, Flute, flautist, and acoustic guitarist of the British rock band Jethro Tull (band), Jethro Tull. He is a multi-instrumentalist who also p ...

of Jethro Tull *

Andy Summers Andrew James Summers (born 31 December 1942) is an English guitarist best known as a member of the rock band the Police. Prior to joining the Police, Summers had been a member of several bands during the 1960s, including Zoot Money's Big Roll ...

The Police The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. Within a few months of their first gig, the line-up settled as Sting (lead vocals, bass guitar, primary songwriter), Andy Summers (guitar) and Stewart Copeland (drums, percussi ...

* Mark Chadwick of the

Levellers The Levellers were a political movement active during the English Civil War who were committed to popular sovereignty, extended suffrage, equality before the law and religious tolerance. The hallmark of Leveller thought was its populism, as sh ...

Dónal Lunny Dónal Lunny (born 10 March 1947) is an Irish folk musician and producer. He plays guitar and bouzouki, as well as keyboards and bodhrán. As a founding member of popular bands Planxty, The Bothy Band, Moving Hearts, Coolfin, Mozaik, LAPD ...

Planxty Planxty were an Irish folk music band formed in January 1972, consisting initially of Christy Moore (vocals, acoustic guitar, bodhrán), Andy Irvine (vocals, mandolin, mandola, bouzouki, hurdy-gurdy, harmonica), Dónal Lunny (bouzouki, gu ...

and

The Bothy Band The Bothy Band are an Irish traditional band, originally active during the mid 1970s. They quickly gained a reputation as one of the most influential bands playing Irish traditional music. Their enthusiasm and musical virtuosity had a signific ...

Matthew Bellamy Matthew James Bellamy (born 9 June 1978) is an English singer, songwriter and producer. He is the lead vocalist, guitarist, pianist, and lyricist for the English rock band Muse (band), Muse. He is recognised for his eccentric stage persona, wid ...

Muse In ancient Greek religion and Greek mythology, mythology, the Muses (, ) were the Artistic inspiration, inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the poetry, lyric p ...

References

External links

Finding a Voice in Wood - Official website of Any Manson
{{DEFAULTSORT:Manson, Andy Guitar makers Inventors of musical instruments Woodworking Living people Year of birth missing (living people)