Welcome
My father was a carpenter. No-one could have known my father and not seen his regard for craftsmanship skills and striving for perfection. But, as a grammar school boy, I was expected to be something 'better' so I took a BSc. Botany degree at London University in 1968 and went, through a post-graduate year, into biology teaching in 1969.
Increasingly, through the years, woodwork became a very useful hobby ~ sometimes a paying hobby ~ and led me into writing about woodwork. I submitted articles to magazines and found this rewarding and lucrative. Writing about my projects had the effect of urging me on to always be pushing myself and trying something new. So, over a number of years I have had experience of many aspects of woodworking... then I tried guitarmaking... That was over ten years ago now ~ I found it! ~ I don’t need to move on.
Recuperation from illness allowed me some time to concentrate on building my first classical guitar as a piece of therapy. I was surprised at how well it worked out; so I made two more and entered them into a competition. The chief judge was a well known instrument maker so I wasn’t expecting much more than constructive criticism. What I got was a silver medal and a gold medal and a great deal of congratulations.
On this evidence of some talent I gave up teaching and became a full time Luthier at the end of 1994. I suppose I might tell you of the master builders I have studied under but the fact is that I am completely self taught. Never mind that, I am hidebound by no masters prejudices, the instruments speak for me.
This website has been designed for viewing at a standard display size of 1024x768 or a widescreen display of 1280x768.
News ~ February 2010
I
am always pleased to be associated with and, where I can, involved with
the real world of Guitar Clubs and Societies and guitarists themselves,
whether they use my guitars or not. The Bristol Classical Guitar
Society has recently asked me if I can talk to them about my approach
to guitar making at one of their meetings and, if the arrangements can
be made, I have agreed to do this later this year. You can visit their
website < here >.
The ADJUSTMENTS page...
...now carries information on cleaning your guitar and some comments on the strings I use, and why ~ which may help those of you who may not have a strong, personal preference but enjoyed the original sound of the guitar.
Note on e-mails:
Apart from my (all too) rare holidays, I always reply promptly to all e-mail enquiries. So, if you do not receive a prompt reply, please 'phone me (on the number below) as I have reason to suspect that some of my messages have been going astray in this cyberspace thingy!
For existing owners
If you use the MENU bar on the left to visit the 'adjustments' page, I deal with some of the issues you may encounter while playing one of my guitars in your own personal style. Whilst this may help you on its own, it is important to me that all owners of my guitars feel they can contact me to discuss these and any other issues or comments. The contact information is at the bottom of this page.
Over to you ...
For
better than a quarter century, I was a secondary school biology
teacher, so I spoke to some 150 people a day, shouted at some of them
and had intellectual conversations with others. Now, I work alone in my
own workshop. It's a bit like being a hermit. So, not surprisingly, I'm
pleased when people get in touch. Imagine my delight at getting e-mails
out of the blue, like the unsolicited
testimonials at the end of the 'my
approach' page.
So please feel free to e-mail me with your thoughts on my guitars,
guitars in general, music, art, politics, religion ~ the Cosmos!
Also, if you own one of my guitars, you might like to register your
address and serial number with me as a security back-up.
Guitarist Profiles
Michael Martin
"Rik's guitar is a dream to play! Made from Spruce and Rosewood I happened upon it by chance. One dark and stormy afternoon in January 2007 I took refuge in the Spanish Guitar Centre Bristol. I decided to play a few concert guitars. I picked up Rik's guitar never having heard of him. About three bars into Una Limosna (by Barrios) it struck me that this was an exceptional box. I decided to pay Rik a visit. He showed me a variety of guitars. Some were made of very exotic woods and there certainly was a characteristic 'feel' to his instruments for the left hand. The attractive appearance was a bonus because that aspect means little if the sound won't work for you!"
His < website > enables you to hear him play and hear the sound of his Middleton guitar.
Colin Chettle
I constructed a guitar to order for Colin Chettle who, in addition to other requirements, needed a left-handed guitar. Colin, visited me on a number of occasions during the construction of the guitar and took pictures. I felt that it would be interesting to hear what it feels like to witness a guitar being made especially for you. So I asked him to write an article to go with those pictures and the result is < here >
Matthew Sear
“My Rik Middleton guitar is my main guitar and has been since I was introduced to the Middleton range in 2002. The ease of play is superb and the guitar helps me attain the kind of expression I need when performing. The subtlety of tone is rich and warm and the dynamic range extremely responsive. I am proud to be associated with Rik Middleton guitars.” Visit Matthew's website < here >
How to contact me
Please e-mail me at: rikmiddleton@tiscali.co.uk
or feel free to telephone me direct on: +44 (0)24 76613718
