“Posting this here as a big thank you to David for repairing my Ozark mandolin with such care and attention with impeccable results.
Although it’s not an expensive, top of the range instrument, I’m really fond of it and was dismayed when it fell in action, a casualty of a rowdy, over exuberant pub gig, resulting in damage Pete Townsend would be proud of… OK, slight exaggeration. The nut cracked (pun intended), simply dropped out, leaving it unplayable… Obviously.
Before handing it over to David I did take it along to a “reputable”, London based Luthier, (who shall remain very nameless) but they made a bit of a mess of it, re-cutting and setting the nut but misaligning the notches in such a spectacular way that the bottom G string simply slipped off the neck when played! I know I should have complained but I think I was in such a state of mild shock at the utter pants handiwork, I just walked away, hung it up and left it abandoned for a couple of years.
David kindly took it off my hands and working his magic, performed a wonderful rescue job on it. Being one of the UK’s leading guitar makers I know this is a simple undertaking he could probably do in his sleep but I was absolutely thrilled at the precision and fineness of the finish, knowing he had taken as much care with this modest instrument as he would one of his centuries old guitar repairs. Not only that but he positioned the floating bridge and set it up to a standard this poor, battle weary, mandy has never experienced before. It might be my imagination but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it so clean and polished either… All traces of beer and blood now removed.
I cannot recommend David enough for any repairs or restoration, however small or however grand and involved the task. You know you can trust his skill, aforementioned care and attention and feel confident your instrument is in safe hands.” Roger Payne, Bridport