Hello, I'm trying to identify this guitar (see the photos below). I bought it at a car boot sale in Shrewsbury, Shropshire (at The Springfield Arms if i remember correctly) sometime in the early 90's (paid £20). I liked the guitar but had no idea who the maker was until I was round at a friend of a friends house in Shrewsbury sometime in the late 90's. Amongst his guitars I noticed a couple with exactly the same headstock logo (looks like JS or perhaps just J ? No other markings) and the same distinctive fretboard scheme with inlay on the 10th (rather than 9th) fret, though his weren't of Les Paul type like mine. He said he had worked for the maker years ago and that they were made locally (Shropshire or at least in the Midlands - I can't remember exactly). He told me the name of the maker and I foolishly assumed I would remember it, so I didn't write it down. I had always liked the guitar, but had wondered whether it might be a very well made amateur job. He said that the maker was certainly no amateur and that he also considered them to be very good guitars. I have since completely forgotten the name of the maker and can't remember for the life of me! I am dying to find out who made it. I'd say it seems to have been made around the early to mid 70's. I have since moved to Sweden (taking the guitar with me) and have not been able to trace the bloke who once told me the makers' name. I recently contacted the two main music/guitar shops in Shrewsbury for help, but to no avail.

I'd be very grateful for any help in identifying the guitar.


By britishcavalry, shot with Samsung S85 at 2009-08-03


By britishcavalry, shot with Samsung S85 at 2009-08-03


By britishcavalry, shot with Samsung S85 at 2009-08-03

It might be JS or could it be TS, possibly?

Have you found anything out about this guitar and the maker? It's an interesting story.

Thanks for the reply. No I haven't found out who the maker is. Yours is the first reply on this forum. I've also asked on a vintage guitar forum, but only received one reply there from someone who thinks it looks nice but has no idea who made it! I wish for the life of me I could remember the name of the bloke who told me the maker's name. He used to live near The Dolphin pub in Shrewsbury, was probably about forty then, thin with long straight hair and denims. He studied furniture design at the Tech in Shrewsbury at the time. Think he might have been called Barry, though not sure. Think he was a Londoner/southerner. If anyone recognizes this description and knows him, please let me know.

I would try Salop Music Centre, they should know :)

I spoke to two lads at the Salop music center, but both said that they did't recognise the maker from my description of the headstock logo. I can try contacting them again and email a photo to them. I also rang The Rock Shop in Shrewsbury a few months ago and asked if it was OK to email a photo. The bloke said I could and that he would try to help but he hasn't replied. I can also add that it must have been the mid 90's, around 1994-1995 that I was told who the maker was (not the late 90's as I originally said).

Why not see if any of the musical instrument restorers might know? It's possible the person who did this guitar started out as a restorer and went on to make his own instruments.

Also, try music teachers or lecturers at Shropshire schools or colleges. They might know who he is.

It's worth trying letters to the local press, tool. Shropshire Star, Chronicle, Wellington News, Telford Journal?

Your description of the man who told you puts me in mind of someone who used to drink in the Dolphin a few years back.

Good luck with your quest.

Here's a thought. If you can see who made the pickups, give them a call. They might have the maker's records on file.