b'Gordon GiltrapI signed my first recording contract in 1966; six years later I acquired a guitar made by a certain Roger Bucknall.I regard it as a privilege to have been the first name musician to play one of his instruments. This was way before Fylde Guitars came into existence. I also considered it a privilege at that time to tell as manyname musicians that I came across about this astonishing young guitar making genius.Martin Carthy was one of the first people I told about Roger and it was on a train of all places! I remember it like it was yesterday showing him my guitar. He must have liked it because he eventually made contact with Roger and the rest as they say is history.Since those early days Fylde guitars have been part of the soundtrack of my recorded history. Significantly one can hear a Fylde singing away on good old Heartsong a tune that has become synonymous with a certain holiday programme!I take much of my inspiration from the guitar and very rarely compose away from the instrument. Having a great sounding guitar can truly inspire. To pick up a superbly built instrument in the knowledge that it has been fashioned by a master maker such as Roger is an inspiration.Imagine Roger carving the struts and lovingly glueing some exotic wood for the purflings. He sets it up before fitting the strings. Finally tuning it to concert pitch, the first notes sound on this thing of beauty, and a smile of satisfaction is on his face knowing that he had succeeded once again in creating yet another outstanding Fylde instrument.I carry the memory with me of the late great Big Jim Sullivan playing my custom cedar top and hearing him saying words like my god its like playing pure silk and telling me it was the finest guitar he had ever played. A friend of mine, a prominent film composer played that same instrument and made similar noises about how stunning and inspirational it was and then within a few hours of playing it contacted Roger and ordered one for himself.Keep making inspirational instruments Roger that in turn inspires the many players who, like myself, who are totally in awe of your craft.8'