Hand Built Spanish
Guitars
by Steve Frith
Play 
Hand built guitars, to your design or by consultation, from master luthier
Steve Frith. Read some of the comments clipped from the national press…
“These Instruments have Power, Balance and Projection.”
-Classical Guitar Magazine
We stock these amazing instruments at Factory Direct Prices.
Frith Classical & Flamenco Guitars
| Stephen Frith made his first classical guitar in
1979, a hobby begun when he needed a good guitar and after some research
in the local library, was intrigued to try his hand. Learning his woodworking skills in a carpentry apprenticeship, he applied this logic to the task. Of course that first guitar was not a masterpiece, for this experience is required, but the day the strings were put on was quite unique, and the hook was set. During the following years he made about twenty guitars for friends, family and some local musicians, some of these guitars are still around the town and are seen from time to time, still being played. |
 |
 |
This period of amateur making culminated in being
invited to take part in an exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall in
London late in 1983. At this event he was to meet some formative people,
and experiences. Among others Brian Cohen suggested that he do some research at the London College of Furniture's Department of Musical Instrument Technology. Young virtuoso guitar player Paul Gregory gave the guitar recital, which opened Stephen’s ears to the possibilities of this very special intimate instrument. The following year he enrolled at the L.C.F. for a four-year course of study and research leading to a Higher Diploma in Modern Fretted Instrument Technology. Under the guidance of Herbert Schwartz and Michael Gee he produced a record number of guitars, which has still not been exceeded, and gained many distinctions in his course work. |
| He also uniquely had his guitars chosen three years
running to be played by the visiting player at the end of year concert,
John Mills, Paul Gregory and David Russell. While at college he took
his first lessons in playing with John Taylor. In 1988 he began making guitars as a professional working from home. He continued to study guitar playing under Paul Gregory with whom he passed grade seven with distinction, unfortunately business pressure forced him to discontinue his studies when he started the Guitar Makers Shop in 1993. He has never stopped playing however and has developed a taste for South American, and Flamenco guitar. |
 |
 |
After discovering a research paper in the L.C.F.
Library, which he had written as a student, the Institute of Musical
Instrument Technology published it in their organ “Soundings”. For this
work he was awarded an Institute Diploma and invited to join as an associate.
He has since been upgraded to full member and was recently elected to
the council, which meets in his old college building, now part of the
London Guildhall University. Still building guitars in the “Spanish way”, he continues to experiment with timber and timbre, a fascination, which grows the further his work takes him. |
|
All Frith guitars are made of selected timbers from our seasoned stock. We have wood, which has been dried since 1985, and newer timbers too. It is our view that, stability and good tonal quality is best achieved by use of older materials. To this end we continue to add to our store, with new timber from around the world. Our standard guitar is hand made by Stephen Frith, in the traditional way, using the Spanish method. Each instrument is individual, being produced in an overlapping line, and French polished in pairs. No two guitars are identical, and all are named or dedicated by the maker on the signed label. |
 |
|
From
the Wood
 (The creation of a Frith Guitar) |
 |
This rosette is made from many small pieces of wood
some dyed, others of natural colour, by Stephen. This design is based on a traditional design used for many years by luthiers but by the beginning of the 20th century had fallen out of use. Steve came upon it during his research and has brought it back into use on some of his guitars. |
Below are some pictures and details of instruments we
offer for sale, they are all available from the Guitar Makers Shop, though
stock is extremely limited. We aim to stock all the standard models, but
this has proved impossible so far due to customer demand.
 Play
|
The standard Frith Classical has a
European Spruce front strutted with 5 or 7 fan braces to a slightly
domed belly. |
||
|
Standard Build Price…
|
£1595.00 |
| Fitted with Rogers
machine heads, engraved with trees to match the rosette. |
£1995.00
|
| Back and sides made from Brazilian Rosewood. |
£1995.00
|
| Brazilian Rosewood and Rogers machine heads engraved. |
£2395.00
|
| “Double back” design fitted with inner
cypress or yellow cedar floating back. |
Add £400.00
|
| Western Red Cedar or Sitka Spruce front, pin style bridge. |
No extra charge
|
Flamenco guitar
 Play
|
Stephen is an enthusiastic
player of Flamenco music and very much enjoys making these guitars.
Pictured left is his guitar, which is traditional in style. He makes these guitars with Cypress or Yellow Cedar back and sides, and a peg head. They have a very low action, although he prefers his guitar to be higher, and are fitted with clear plastic golpeadors. The price is the same as for a standard Classical Guitar previously detailed. Built to order, these guitars are not usually held in stock. |
Alternative Instruments.
| We are able to supply Classical Guitars from other
periods, for example this rose is from a Baroque Guitar Steve made; 19th century style, small bodied instruments have also been produced from time to time. These are always made by special request and a one third deposit is payable in advance of construction. |
 |
 |
 |
 |