Gary Southwell - 2024 No. 374
Gary Southwell - 2024 No. 374
Overview
Overview
Gary Southwell's journey as a luthier began with a deep love for music, inspired by icons like Paul Simon, Julian Bream, and John Williams, all of whom he later had the honor of crafting guitars for. His early exposure to classical guitar led him to study at the London College of Furniture, where he refined his skills in guitar making. In 1983, he established his workshop in Nottingham, specializing in historical guitars, particularly those from the early 19th century. Southwell’s dedication to reviving forgotten techniques and instruments, alongside his innovative designs like the A Series and Temperate Guitars, has positioned him as a leader in the field. His use of sustainable materials, such as Bog Oak, has inspired other makers, and his meticulous craftsmanship is highly regarded by guitarists seeking expressive, one-of-a-kind instruments. With a hands-on understanding of the player-instrument relationship, Southwell’s guitars are celebrated for their responsiveness, tonal depth, and innovation.
This guitar from 2024, with the serial number 374, is based on an instrument by Herrmann Hauser I from 1940, which was played and recorded by Julian Bream towards the end of his international touring career and on which Southwell worked closely with Julian Bream. It impresses with its particularly light construction, a finely crafted spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides. Thanks to the low body resonance, the bass tones develop a remarkable freedom without losing clarity. The sound remains precise and controlled across the entire fingerboard. Especially noteworthy are the round, precise trebles, which harmonise perfectly with the mid and low frequencies. These characteristics ensure an even sound with excellent separation, which nevertheless remains warm and full. The guitar offers countless possibilities for shaping the colour of the sound and reacts highly responsively to different playing techniques. Gary demonstrates his masterful craftsmanship and his passion for exceptionalinstruments to perfection here.
Luthier: | Gary Southwell |
Construction year: | 2024 |
Construction type: | Traditional |
Top: | Spruce |
Back and sides: | Indian rosewood |
Finish: | French polish |
Air body frequency: | E / F |
Scale: | 650 mm |
Nut: | 51 mm |
Weight: | 1390 grams |
Tuners: | Rodgers |
Strings: | Knobloch - EDC 34.0 |
Condition: | New |






















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