March 2022

You can contribute a meaningful amount of money to the refugees fleeing from Ukraine and obtain a unique custom-built, top specification acoustic guitar at the same time.

The guitar is a custom order completed just a few days ago, it hasn't even left our workshop. We were about to despatch the guitar to our very patient client, when he had the kind idea of selling the guitar to raise some funds at this critical time when so many people are fleeing for their lives. Although he has paid for the guitar in full, he has asked me to sell the guitar again, and to contribute the sale proceeds to charity in aid of Ukrainian Refugees.

The very generous "owner" is a high-level professional person, spending much of his time amongst record producers and artists. He wishes to remain anonymous, so I cannot tell you any more, other than that you will probably have seen his work. While he considers the details of another guitar for a future date, he will continue playing his old Falstaff, "inherited" from one of his dear musician friends. He is becoming a personal friend of ours and I'd like him to be playing a Fylde, so I needn't worry about that.

This guitar is the result of two year's discussion between the two of us. The choices of colours and details were particularly important to him, and went back and forth as we progressed, although the features are very much in line with some of the Personal Selection guitars we have been making recently.

It is based on the very successful Alchemist body shape, with a long scale length, 25 1/2 inches (648mm). The Ebony fingerboard is 45mm wide at the nut, with Mother of Pearl dot inlays and Gold Gotoh 510 tuners. It isn't "fancy", it's just extremely high specification in every respect.

Top Grade African Blackwood back and sides and Sinker Redwood Soundboard. Rare Snakewood bindings and head veneer, all bordered with delicate red lines. The neck is laminated from three layers of ancient Mahogany, with two Rosewood lines.

Fitted with a Baggs Element under saddle pickup.

If I were making this now as a Custom Order, the price would be in the region of £8,500, so that's the starting price. If someone wishes to contribute rather more, that would be very kind. SOLD FOR OVER £10,000.

At the moment, the most likely charity would be The Disasters Emergency Committee, Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal: https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal

There is no need to restrict this to one charity, and I would welcome any suggestions.

Thank you.
Roger Bucknall