Guitar Wharf

07/05/2026

After the response to the previous Guitar Fundamentals sessions, the next workshop will take place on Sunday 17 May at Really Good Sound Studio.

This session is focused on something every guitarist should be able to do: understand the condition of their instrument.

We’ll look at how to recognise common signs of wear, instability or poor maintenance, how to tell when a guitar is functioning properly, and when it’s time to have it checked by a repairer.

No mystification, no unnecessary jargon — just practical knowledge that helps players build a better relationship with their instrument.

Open to all levels. Questions and discussion encouraged, as always.

Limited spots available.

27/04/2026

A small group for the first hands-on session.

We went through string removal and installation step by step, along with a general check of the instrument — focusing on doing things safely, correctly, and with awareness.

The idea is simple: being able to take care of your own guitar should be normal. Not replacing repair work, but avoiding small issues turning into bigger ones, and keeping the instrument in good condition over time.

Keeping the group small made it possible to follow everyone properly, answer questions, and work directly on each instrument.

Thanks to for the amazing pictures and for hosting us at

More sessions coming soon.

23/04/2026

A full restoration on a 1938 Gibson L-5.

An instrument that had been stored for many years, still in fairly good condition overall, but with areas that required careful attention — particularly around the pickguard and hardware.

The approach here was simple: preserve as much originality as possible, intervene only where necessary, and bring the instrument back to a stable, playable state.

This work was carried out at Charlie Chandler's , where I’ve been collaborating since the beginning of this year. I’m grateful to Charlie Chandler for the opportunity to work on such a rare piece, and for the guidance and advice throughout the process, together with .

A privilege to spend time with an instrument like this.

14/04/2026

A recent job on a Tele-style guitar — a mix of functional upgrades and general refinement.

Nothing extreme, just careful work to improve reliability, feel, and overall response.

Small details make a big difference over time.
If your guitar feels slightly off or hasn’t been checked in a while, it’s usually worth taking a closer look.

31/03/2026

Last Sunday’s Guitar Fundamentals workshop was a special one.

A full room, lots of attention, and the kind of questions that show real curiosity and care for the instrument. That’s always the best part.

We spent the afternoon learning how to read a guitar, recognise when something isn’t quite right, and understand the language behind setups and maintenance — so you can make informed decisions about your instrument.

Big thanks to everyone who joined and contributed to the atmosphere, and to Herman for hosting us at Really Good Sound Studio.

More soon.

24/03/2026

12/03/2026

I’m organising the next Guitar Fundamentals Workshop on Sunday 29 March, back at Really Good Sound Studio, kindly hosted by Herman Ringer.

This session focuses on understanding how guitars actually work and learning practical ways to recognise when something isn’t quite right with your instrument.

During the workshop we’ll go through the key terminology, the basic principles of setup, and simple checks you can do yourself to evaluate things like neck relief, nut condition and overall playability.

You’re welcome to bring your own instrument (not required). If you do, bring a tuner, capo and small ruler for the practical exercises.

We’ll finish the afternoon in a relaxed atmosphere with a glass of wine and some Italian treats, a chance to chat and share experiences with other musicians.

Places are limited.
You can reserve a spot via the link in bio.

11/03/2026

What an amazing afternoon at the second Guitar Wharf workshop, and the first time at Heath Studio in Hackney Wick! 🎸
We explored the fundamentals of how a guitar works, how to spot potential issues, and hands-on techniques to check neck relief, nut health, and overall playability. Everyone brought their own instruments — from electric guitars to acoustic, bass, and even a mandolin — making it so interesting to compare and learn together.
A big thank you to Simone from Heath Studio for hosting us and for taking these fantastic pictures 🙏📸
We wrapped up the workshop sharing a glass of wine and some Italian treats 🍷🇮🇹 — a perfect way to connect and celebrate our love for music.
Huge thanks to all participants for making it such a pleasant and inspiring afternoon.
Next workshop: Sunday, 29th March. Don’t miss it!

26/02/2026

Back on the bench: a Martin 000-28 EC Eric Clapton signature that needed some care after a side reglue.

I removed the leftover glue residue, cleaned and conditioned the fretboard, smoothed the fret ends and polished the frets. Hardware, body, neck and headstock were cleaned up, then a fresh set of strings installed.

No frills, just solid maintenance to let a great guitar feel and sound right again.
Ready to be played.

23/02/2026

Lately I’ve been spending time at Charlie Chandler Guitar Shop, working alongside Charlie and the team on instruments that deserve a second chance.

This Ibanez Blazer Series from the ’80s was one of those guitars—a Made in Japan workhorse that had been sitting neglected for far too long.
Charlie asked me to bring it back to a playable state, and once it was on the bench, the years of inactivity were obvious.

The fretboard was heavily oxidised, dirty, and packed with old grime. The whole guitar was covered in a layer of dirt that only time can build. Nothing dramatic had failed—it was just tired.

The first frets showed clear play wear, so they were re-crowned to restore proper shape and feel. I repaired a small chip on one fret, dressed the fret ends, and polished everything until the neck felt comfortable and consistent again. The fretboard was deep cleaned and brought back to life, and the rest of the guitar followed suit.

The electronics were cleaned and deoxidised to get rid of noise and intermittent issues. A fresh set of strings went on, and the setup was dialled in to make the most of what this guitar already is—no overdoing it, just honest playability.

This Blazer is a proper reborn Japanese guitar from the ’80s. Solid, straightforward, and ready to be played again.

It’s now available at Charlie Chandler shop in Hampton Wick—and hopefully headed for another few decades of music.

12/12/2024

✨ Restoring Instruments, Renewing Inspiration ✨

Hanna, a jazz guitarist, brought me her beloved Washburn Guitars HB-35, a guitar she has cherished for over 20 years. Recently, she had been experiencing a frustrating volume drop and wanted to bring her guitar back to its best.

During my initial inspection, I uncovered several issues:

Two loose potentiometers
A misaligned input jack that sat lower than the nut holding it in place
Missing plastic washers between the tuning pegs and the tuner body, causing instability
A neck pickup with misaligned pole screws and a detached base
A fretboard thick with grime and glue residue from a previous neck repair
Frets with uneven wear and problematic bevels, making play uncomfortable
Low action combined with excessive neck relief, leading to fret buzz across the board

Hanna shared the guitar’s history with me: a couple of significant falls over the years had resulted in a broken neck and a cracked top. Both had been repaired, but visible remnants of the damage remained. Despite this, she loved how the guitar sounded and felt, calling it her first and most trusted instrument.

Here’s how I revitalized her HB-35:

Deep Cleaning: The entire guitar received a thorough cleaning. I removed grime from the body, fretboard, and hardware, and treated the fretboard with lemon oil and beeswax to restore its natural sheen.
Fretwork & Playability: I re-crowned and polished the frets, smoothed sharp fret ends, and removed problematic bevels to ensure effortless playability. I cleaned and slightly adjusted the brass nut to prevent string sticking during bends.
Electronics Revamp: Working inside the hollow body, I addressed loose components and used the dental floss method to guide pots back into place. Although one tone pot still requires replacement, I cleaned and re-soldered connections, eliminating crackling and improving reliability. A new Pure Tone multi contact input jack was installed, solving the spinning nut issue and ensuring a secure connection.
Hardware Fixes: I installed missing plastic washers between the tuning pegs and tuner bases using parts from my trusty “used tuners” donor box. This restored smooth and stable tuning functionality.
Pickup Repair: I stabilized the neck pickup by soldering its detached base, ensuring it wouldn’t move or vibrate excessively.
Setup: With Hanna’s preference for old strings in mind, I kept the existing set, cleaned off rust, and performed a full setup. Adjustments to the neck relief and action eliminated fret buzz while maintaining her signature jazzy tone.

The result? A better, more playable version of the guitar Hanna has loved for decades. She was thrilled with how better it played at her gig the next day and is already planning future upgrades to perfect its tone.

Hanna’s Washburn HB-35 is a testament to how much an instrument can endure and still inspire. Helping her reconnect with it was an honor—and I can’t wait to take it even further in the future.

Let me bring out the best in your instrument! 🎸