Martin Simpson on guitar making in the UK and USA

Sam English put this together from the sessions that Martin spent with us making the “50 years of Fylde Guitars” video. It’s “ ll the trimmings” from Martin’s very generous contributions.
There is no one better placed than Martin to tell this story, it's a pretty good overview of the whole subject and it corresponds just about exactly with my own involvement. I would just add Dick Knight, Tony Zemaitis and Stan Francis to the early UK makers list, before Martin or I were involved. In those days there was no communication between makers in the UK, no shared knowledge or supplies. it's a lot different now, with a huge amount of information available, and a lot of disinformation as well. Because I've taken a different path, starting from those bare roots, I find myself having more in common with the older individual makers on both sides of the Atlantic and we have some fun conversations, but it's changing. Some younger makers actually speak to us oldies occasionally nowadays.
Roger Bucknall.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

A stunning guitar, wonderful storytelling and great playing. What more could you ask for? Thank you, Martin. I was fortunate enough to hear you live, many years ago at the Experience PRS in Stevensville, Maryland. We all had a great time at that event and thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful songs and playing.

[@dennisbronson3058]

Saw Martin play live at a 'smallish' venue around ? '93 ....in Peterborough, Canada.....he was playing a Sobell . I had a seat about 10 feet away. Watching and listening to him perform, I was completely mesmerized.......I had never before ( live ) seen such mastery of a guitar. Flawless technique !! I will admit that after that concert , I just wanted to take my guitar, put it in its case, kick it under the bed and just leave it there.

[@mauricioduque9053]

What a master of the acoustic guitar!! A pleasure just to listen to, thanks for posting this!!

[@user-cc7uf9go2w]

Great to see and hear Martin again. I got to spend a week with him (and other great players) at a seminar put on by Woody Mann. He's a great player of a number of instruments and extremely intelligent. He was very nice to me even though I was essentially a novice. He very much liked my 1918 Gibson A3 mandolin. As much as I'd love to share a beer with him I'd not because I don't think I could actually make good conversation with someone of his knowledge and experience and I'd just be wasting his time. Thanks for the video !

[@christophercensullo6892]

No one I'd rather hear talk about guitars, or play one for that matter, than Martin Simpson.

[@keithskelton5596]

Brilliant story very informative Thanks Martin

[@davidhealy7743]

Nice to find you. I’m a young l’guy from San Francisco in ‘53 My first guitar was a Harmony Sovereign too . Was robbed from a cottage in Monte Rio California while me and some kids were watching Vic Morrow filming a scene in Combat. ! Last I saw of my Harmony. Very much enjoying your session and will have to revisit with a note book . You are quite a refreshing library or greater knowledge of Guitar and other stringed instruments from Europe or ,pardon me UK . I’ve had many guitars since the Sovereign and am now with a Lowden which was made in Ireland I little closer to you. Thanks for this site Appreciate it. Now I’ve got to finish watching it ! D. Healy

[@mandolin-george-uk]

Never played a bad Yamaha . Still have an FG bought 50 years ago. It surpasses any Taylor , Breedlove, Martin , Gibson , I’ve ever met . Plenty of volume and tasty bass . Has done me well. Cheers Yamaha

[@ukestudio3002]

I agree, though never I played a Breedlove..

[@mandolin-george-uk]

@@ukestudio3002 to be fair , I like short scale guitars for finger picking . I’ve tried most of them and have to admit the Taylor mini gs has the most realistic full bodied tone. I currently have a Martin lx1e which has a great neck but poor tone . Breedlove .. I have tried some they are ok but not outstanding. Playing live outside Yamaha is the right price point for sound quality to feel comfortable in hostile conditions . The others are better suited to stage or recording where damage is less likely to occur .

[@darringodden7225]

You certainly made the most of Martin. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Thank you.

[@phabel59]

Im always interested to hear Martin's views on mainly fab guitars, he's pointed me towards many impulsive and joyous acquisitions, and generously instructed on techniques.

[@retrorunner79]

Superb video. And the rendition of Deportee at the end had was nothing short of sublime and deeply moving. Sadly, the message of the song still rings true today.

[@vincentverhoog8312]

Beautiful Guitar. I want a twelve fret guitar for a long time, because of the sound and playability. Wonderful song!

[@rfpho1456]

I saw Martin Guildford once and it was magical. I still don’t understand how he does it….

[@davidlewis2055]

Always great to listen to

[@anthonykelly5]

brilliant

[@neilcorbett5057]

I'm lucky enough to have a Sobell and a Fylde, both great sounding instruments. Had them for many years but can I make them sound like Martin Simpson does? Of course not. I keep trying. BTW Have you noticed in this video how much use he makes of his picking thumb in that song at the end?

[@southsidejohnny5624]

Can’t help but notice the two instruments either side of Martin both feature a “zero’ fret.

[@rubbadubdub6543]

I don’t know if they’re both Fylde guitars, but they all have a zero fret.

[@1deadtoe707]

I'm sure that is really a fine guitar. But, I believe Martin Simpson could make my old 1966 Sears Silvertone sing like a bird.

[@Back2TheBike]

Superb. Reminded me of Bryn Haworth's albums of the 80s.