Murray's Guitarcare

15/02/2023

Has anyone got a valve tester here? That's valve as in vacuum tube by the way.

24/05/2020

Here we are boys and girls, #8 of the guitars made out of the bar from The Square Harlow by Torkildsen/Halsey. The proud owner of this suprisingly lighter weighted beauty is Square partner Adam Smith. It features a couple of humbuckers and sports the moniker 'Squarelecaster'. Plays pretty good n'all

24/11/2018

So here's the story.
A few years ago I restored this 1957 Harmony tenor guitar, and it's been my Murray's Guitarcare facebook background picture ever since.
Earlier this year another one appeared in a cash converters type of shop. The price dropped so i bought it (I couldn't bear to see it go to waste), only to find out it was the same guitar I had fixed up years before.
Not being a tenor player I wanted to move it on but didn't know anyone who would appreciate it, until I was told Seth Lakeman plays 'em.
Anyway, a couple of messages back and forth, and I deliver it to the charming folk star, backstage at his sold-out Cambridge show.
Here's me and Seth at the point of exchange. I hope he loves it, it's still in great nick and plays beautifully.

30/09/2018

I was saddened to hear of the passing earlier this week of Chas Hodges, one of our greatest folk musicians.
By way of tribute I would like to share this guitar.
Chas was a prolific session player in the 1960's and aquired this Gibson ES-330 TDC in a trade for an Epiphone Rivoli bass with Britains busiest session guitarist, Big Jim Sullivan. Who knows what hits this instrument may have featured on.
The guitar has survied a house fire, evidence of the finish bubbling though the heat is most evindent on the back of the headstock.
Chas gave this lovely guitar to his son to learn on and Nik Hodges became not only a fine guitarist but drummer with Chas & Dave (official), vintage keyboard whizz and producer, amongst his many talents.
I opened a show for Chas and Nic and was proud to be introduced to Chas as the man who fixed our guitar.

19/09/2018

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you #5 of the The Square - Harlow bar Telecasters, made by the Murray Torkildsen/ Brett Halsey partnership.
This little (but heavy) beauty is now in the hands of Steve Harcourt. It features a Seymour Duncan humbucker at the bridge to allow him to make a terrific din with his fab outfit Collapsed Lung.
The next guitar will be one many of you have already seen, #6 belonging to rock god Richard Holgarth.
Stay tuned guitar freaks

06/09/2018

#4 of the Murray Torkildsen/ Brett Halsey Harlow Square Barcasters.
This one is proudly owned by Love Hobbs and features some rather snazzy hipshop tuners and fabulous Creamery pickups. The bridge unit has a clever coil-tap to allow normal and hot options via a push/pull tone k**b. The eagle eyed amongst you will notice the control plate is upside down n'all.
Very tasty all round.
Next up will be, not unsurprisingly #5, the Steve Harcourt model.

05/08/2018

I’ve seen hundreds of videos on building, repairing and setting up guitars, none more charming than this. I know I’m a bit weird but this is lovely.

In the workshops at Höfner - the building of a 500/1 Violin Bass from start to finish. See us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HofnerGuitars/

05/07/2018

Square bar telecaster update:
Well, best day so far.....final coat on neck then 5 hours straight, shaping and sanding through 40, 80 & 120 grit on neck and body. My right index finger is killing me. Filling holes and chips and putting in the dots on that one next.
In the pic is foreground Hobbs, middle Harcourt and back (don’t hold your breath sunshine).