About the luthier

Gary Southwell is an English guitar maker whose work has long been associated with both historical research and contemporary concert instruments. His interest in the guitar was shaped early through the music of artists such as Paul Simon, Julian Bream and John Williams. This enthusiasm eventually led him to pursue guitar making formally at the London College of Furniture, where he developed the technical foundations of his craft.

In 1983 Southwell established his workshop in Nottingham. Alongside the construction of modern concert guitars he became particularly known for his work with historical instruments, especially guitars from the early nineteenth century. Through careful study and reconstruction of historical models he contributed to reviving construction methods and sound concepts that had largely disappeared from modern guitar making.

Southwell has also developed a number of original designs, including the A Series and the Temperate guitars. His instruments are played by professional musicians internationally, and his close collaboration with performers has remained an important part of his work. This combination of historical awareness and practical musical dialogue has shaped a body of instruments recognised for their clarity, balance and refined tonal response.

About the guitar

This guitar from 2025 follows a traditional construction concept and combines a spruce top with Indian rosewood back and sides. The relatively light build supports a clear and responsive voice that remains balanced throughout the entire register.

A defining quality of the instrument is its remarkable consistency across the fingerboard. The basses and trebles develop with comparable presence, allowing the guitar to maintain an even tonal intensity in every register. This balance contributes to a stable sustain and a sense of continuity between individual notes.

The trebles appear focused and rounded while remaining strong enough to match the depth of the basses. As a result, melodic lines retain clarity even in denser textures. The overall impression is one of precision and equilibrium, giving the player a reliable and controlled tonal platform suited to a wide range of repertoire.

Gary Southwell

Gary Southwell - 2025 - No. 380