b'I like to encourage young musicians, and they dontI have a particular advantage over many makers often have much money. If I put my prices up, Ibecause I love making unusual instruments, and may be moving out of reach of real people. I doI dont find it difficult. Unfortunately I love this want recognition, and some money in the bank, butside of the business so much that I never charge I want my guitars to keep their feet on the ground.enough money for that either.For custom orders I You didnt know guitars had feet did you? Theylike spending time with the customer to get to the have a head, sides, back, neck, waist, shoulders,bottom of what they want, and after all these years, tongue, fingerboard and heel. Whats the problem?Im in a position where I can say no if I think they Well, the problem is, I have a constant dilemmaare losing the plot.Again I probably dont charge about price. It is really difficult for me to watchenough for this sort of work because of the time so many other makers who put far less effortspent in discussion and in working out technical into their work, far less skill, experience anddifficulties but it is fun and gives me some great investment, but charge far more than they should.stories and photos.Im often told I dont charge enough. Ive no doubtIt became clear that once again, I was in danger of prices will go up, but believe me; I try to keep thembecoming a busy fool. I was trying to make enough down. Im afraid that many people judge an articleinstruments to supply retail and export outlets, but by its price, if Im too cheap it does not help mythat conflicted with my reputation as an individual reputation for quality, but I want them to be ownedmaker. I had to make another big decision.Over by players, not collectors. They are all my babies,the next year or so, quite a few things changed and and I dont want them locked in the attic. I likethe decision was almost made for me.Thats what to think of them being adopted by loving caringhappens when you put out positive thoughts.parents rather than sold as playthings. New ConnectionsThere is a partial fix to the problem. I can leave the simpler and easier guitars at affordableIn 2007, I was contacted by John Smith, who was prices, and charge higher prices for the fancierdue to tour with John Martyn. It was one of those instruments. I can charge even more for specialtimes when everything clicked.He wanted a new orders and custom building, thats an area whereguitar sound, and we became close friends very The Tina Turner MusicalWe have quite a few customersRoyal Operahouse. amongst the actors and house band of the fabulous Tina Turner musical inDavid Buckingham and his Three Compadres at the Opera House with the Royal Ballet London. Left to right, we have: Tomproduction of Don Quijote.Godwin, (Phil Spector), playing his ownDavid is the one with the hat.Octavius Bouzouki. Ryan O Donnell, (Tinas manager Roger Davies), playing his Custom Alchemist.Marco Gerace, Guitarist in the band, here playing Daves Touchstone Mandolin, and Dave Holmes, Lead Guitarist in the band, playing his Falstaff. 110'