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Famous Guitar Maker Internet World HQ

This site features an extensive regional list of electric and acoustic luthiers, but also hosts a wide variety of other topical lists of ‘net resources of interest to guitarists.

Whether you are a guitar player, seeking repairs, a collector, or a builder we have something here for you! Never before has so much information on the craft been assembled in one place… and never before has it been so much fun to find!

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211 thoughts on “Famous Guitar Maker Internet World HQ”

  1. Norman Wood Guitar
    June Parish

    I was fortunate enough to own a Norman Wood Guitar which he made for me in the 70’s. Unfortunately, I had to leave it in the States when I returned to the U.K. I would love to own another but I know Norman is long gone. I would be interested in buying one if one became available.

  2. norman wood guitar 1976
    ray wright

    I have recently got hold of one of Norman’s stepped back guitars from a friend who died last year. He had met Norman in Cornwall and somehow got him to make him an acoustic guitar, number 61 in 1976. Since people say you had to audition im not sure how he got through, but he was a very good talker, and with a northern Irish charm. The guitar has a high action at the top end so the neck must have bowed, but still plays. I think the strings may be 1976 too, though Im not convinced that many people would see that as a plus. The guitar needs a loving home . So if you knew and loved Norman, or just care about what he made, the guitar is yours if you get in touch with me.

    1. Norman Wood Guitar
      Jay Parish

      Hello there, have you still got the Norman Wood Guitar? I would be very interested in it. Norman made me a guitar back in the 1970’s and I took it with me when I moved to the States. However, when I came back to the U.K. I had to leave some of my possessions in the States. I really miss my guitar. I remember meeting Norman on several occasions in the 1970’s and he had some wonderful stories. I understand when he was younger he was a mandolinist and travelled with an orchestra. He told me that he could not find a mandolin he really liked or one that would suit his purpose. So, he made his own. This progressed to guitars and he showed me one that he had made from a Spitfire wing. He also made one out of a piece of drift wood. He was a real master and his guitars are wonderful. I remember his workshop at the back of his home in Sennen Cove, Cornwall. I used to drop in on him when I was in Cornwall. I usually only intended to stay for half an hour or so, but I usually stayed talking to him for hours. He was a real character and a master craftsman.

      Please get in touch with me at the above email if you still want to sell the guitar. Many thanks. JP

    1. Re: Norman Wood Guitar Maker
      David Rushforth

      : Hi max
      I knew Norman from when I was a child back in the late 1950s. he was a close friend to my late father. He started experimenting in toolmaking to solve some of the problems he encountered in building his prototypes in the early 1960s when he lived in Errwood Road Levenshulme, Manchester. This was a a huge house which is now a funeral directors. He bought up the entire stock of a failing timber yard in Penzance, in the late 60’s, I think. He moved down to Sennen around the same time and lived in an old Manse house which once was a residence of the Bishop of Truro. He stockpiled seasoned rosewoods,lignum vitae etc in the outhouses and these kept him going through his entire career. I think Norman worked into his eighties, indeed I think he still worked in the early 1990’s

      Norman was a true eccentric who insisted on hearing potential purchasers play his guitars before he decided whether they were good enough to order one from him

      David Rushforth [email protected]
      Manchester
      Hi,
      : I am trying to find out as much as possible about the late Norman Wood,Guitar Maker from Sennen,Cornwall UK.Can somebody tell me when he started making Guitars,and for approx. how long did he stay in the business?I am a Vintage Guitar Collector,and have one of His unusual built Guitars in the Collection.Many thanks for any information or contacts you may have.
      : Kind Regards
      : Max Comrie [South Wales]Uk.

      1. Re: Norman Wood Guitar Maker
        David Rushforth

        : :
        : Hi Max
        I recall Norman getting very animated on the subject of sound boars and how he was unable to find true grained pine to create the long sustain he was searching for. He eventually hit on the idea of cutting very narrow strips of wood which he literally glued together within a mould. The sound board was incredibly time consuming to produce, but he was convinced it enhanced the sound quality. This is very much an engineering solution as he would use any old wood for the purpose. Norman was very disparaging about the quality of the mass produced Gibson acoustics coming out of the US in the early 1970s. I can recall on one occasion he bought a gibson from America, he ket the wooden packing case to build a soun d board and threw the Gibson away.

        : David Rushforth [email protected]
        : Manchester
        : Hi,
        : : I am trying to find out as much as possible about the late Norman Wood,Guitar Maker from Sennen,Cornwall UK.Can somebody tell me when he started making Guitars,and for approx. how long did he stay in the business?I am a Vintage Guitar Collector,and have one of His unusual built Guitars in the Collection.Many thanks for any information or contacts you may have.
        : : Kind Regards
        : : Max Comrie [South Wales]Uk.

    2. Re: Norman Wood Guitar Maker
      Joan Lavender

      : Hi,
      : I am trying to find out as much as possible about the late Norman Wood,Guitar Maker from Sennen,Cornwall UK.Can somebody tell me when he started making Guitars,and for approx. how long did he stay in the business?I am a Vintage Guitar Collector,and have one of His unusual built Guitars in the Collection.Many thanks for any information or contacts you may have.
      : Kind Regards
      : Max Comrie [South Wales]Uk.

      Hello Max, i am the daughter of the late Norman Wood who made the acoustical guitars in Sennen, Cornwall UK. i do believe there is one currently for sale on eBay. Norman also made a mandolin similar in style to the back of his guitar, this was his personal instrument and as far as i know he only made this one which is now in my possession. my father was a little on the eccentric side but i thought it bordered on genius. he also invented the well known ‘football’ machine i think this was in the 1960s early 70s poss. From my recollection he started making guitars in the early 1970s. my brother Eric Wood has and plays one of the guitars. Eric and i currently reside in the USA. Norman Wood jr my half brother still resides in Cornwall UK.
      respectfully submitted by,
      Joan Lavender. Feb 4th 2010.

      1. Re: Norman Wood Guitar Maker
        ruby

        : : Hi,
        : : I am trying to find out as much as possible about the late Norman Wood,Guitar Maker from Sennen,Cornwall UK.Can somebody tell me when he started making Guitars,and for approx. how long did he stay in the business?I am a Vintage Guitar Collector,and have one of His unusual built Guitars in the Collection.Many thanks for any information or contacts you may have.
        : : Kind Regards
        : : Max Comrie [Sout

        Hi my name is Ruby frm australia I found a norman wood guitar in a rubbish bin and I kept it for years and then I had it restored its a 12 string and its carved out in the back of it like in steps and inside of it it has a patten stamp and number 7 written on it wod be nice to know more about it u can email me on [email protected]

      2. Re: Norman Wood Guitar Maker
        Max Comrie

        : : Hi,
        : : I am trying to find out as much as possible about the late Norman Wood,Guitar Maker from Sennen,Cornwall UK.Can somebody tell me when he started making Guitars,and for approx. how long did he stay in the business?I am a Vintage Guitar Collector,and have one of His unusual built Guitars in the Collection.Many thanks for any information or contacts you may have.
        : : Kind Regards
        : : Max Comrie [South Wales]Uk.

        : Hello Max, i am the daughter of the late Norman Wood who made the acoustical guitars in Sennen, Cornwall UK. i do believe there is one currently for sale on eBay. Norman also made a mandolin similar in style to the back of his guitar, this was his personal instrument and as far as i know he only made this one which is now in my possession. my father was a little on the eccentric side but i thought it bordered on genius. he also invented the well known ‘football’ machine i think this was in the 1960s early 70s poss. From my recollection he started making guitars in the early 1970s. my brother Eric Wood has and plays one of the guitars. Eric and i currently reside in the USA. Norman Wood jr my half brother still resides in Cornwall UK.
        : respectfully submitted by,
        : Joan Lavender. Feb 4th 2010.
        Hi Jan,many thanks for your reply.I believe that I may have the only left hand guitar your Dad ever built!I better look after it.Jan,If you would like to contact me at any time this is my email, [email protected] ,many thanks again.
        Kind Regards
        Max Comrie

      3. Re: Norman Wood Guitar Maker
        Max Comrie

        Hi Jan,Many thanks for your reply,please keep in contact.I believe I may have the only left hand guitar your Dad ever made!this is my email address if you ever want to contact me. [email protected]
        Kind Regards
        Max
        : : Hi,
        : : I am trying to find out as much as possible about the late Norman Wood,Guitar Maker from Sennen,Cornwall UK.Can somebody tell me when he started making Guitars,and for approx. how long did he stay in the business?I am a Vintage Guitar Collector,and have one of His unusual built Guitars in the Collection.Many thanks for any information or contacts you may have.
        : : Kind Regards
        : : Max Comrie [South Wales]Uk.

        : Hello Max, i am the daughter of the late Norman Wood who made the acoustical guitars in Sennen, Cornwall UK. i do believe there is one currently for sale on eBay. Norman also made a mandolin similar in style to the back of his guitar, this was his personal instrument and as far as i know he only made this one which is now in my possession. my father was a little on the eccentric side but i thought it bordered on genius. he also invented the well known ‘football’ machine i think this was in the 1960s early 70s poss. From my recollection he started making guitars in the early 1970s. my brother Eric Wood has and plays one of the guitars. Eric and i currently reside in the USA. Norman Wood jr my half brother still resides in Cornwall UK.
        : respectfully submitted by,
        : Joan Lavender. Feb 4th 2010.

      4. Re: Norman Wood Guitar Maker
        Robert Borie

        Hi Joan. I just read your followup to Max’s inquiry and ironically this is the first time i’ve searched the net for info on the Norman Wood guitars. While living in Wales in 1974, I was crossing a field on route to the cliffs and I heard the sound of a beautiful guitar but I didn’t know where it was coming from. I found a tent nestled in between some bushes and inside there was a young man playing this unusual looking guitar. He told me about it and said that there was a waiting list of people trying to get there fingers on one of them. I figured that I would never see one again. Two months later while trying to sell a couple of guitars myself, one of which I sold to a new band from Devon called 10cc., An Irish guy answered my ad in the Melody Maker for a dulcimer that I had posted for sale. He and his girlfriend came to the house I’d been staying at and saw my Martin D28. He told me that he had a guitar I just might be interested in. The next day I crossed London arrived at his flat to check it out. Before I saw it we had a bite to eat. For desert I saw the guitar. It was the same type I’d seen the guy playing in Wales. Unbelievable I thought. By the end of the evening I had traded my beautiful Martin for a Norman Wood of Sennen Cornwall hand made guitar. And just to let you know it is signed and numbered. Number 1. That’s right. I still have the guitar. I’ve spent many years living in Europe but I’ve always left the guitar here along with a few others. So if you would like to get in touch, my home is in California, but still I spend most my time in Europe. You can contact me if you like at [email protected]. I’m not sure if I’m ready to part with the guitar yet but who know’s. I’m getting a bit old and the less i’ve got to carry, the lighter I feel. Take care. Robert Borie Feb 13th 2010.

        1. The number 1 guitar
          Joan Lavender

          Hello Robert, fond greetings to you and i surely hope you are in good health. I am also getting up there in years and have grandsons who would cherish one of my fathers guitars. They do seem to be quite a price at this time so I don’t know if I will ever be able to acquire one. I must apologise for the span of time since I answered the question two years back, to be honest with you I didn’t think anyone would be interested in my ramblings. Your story is quite unusual and very interesting, how small a world we are living in nowadays. I am so proud of my fathers achievments and always remember my childhood with his music. I don’t think many people realize that his true love was to play his mandolin which has a sound board identical to the guitars he made. The memories and his mandolin are all I have left of him. I would like to let you know that your words have lightened my day, thankyou so much for sharing this.
          my regards to you
          joan

    3. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Max Comrie
      Max Comrie

      Hi,
      I am trying to find out as much as possible about the late Norman Wood,Guitar Maker from Sennen,Cornwall UK.Can somebody tell me when he started making Guitars,and for approx. how long did he stay in the business?I am a Vintage Guitar Collector,and have one of His unusual built Guitars in the Collection.Many thanks for any information or contacts you may have.
      Kind Regards
      Max Comrie [South Wales]Uk.

      1. Norman Wood Guitar
        Jay Parish

        Hi There,

        Has anyone got a Norman Wood Guitar that they would like to sell to a good home.

        I had one in the States but that is long gone now unless the person who has it would like to send it back to me.

        Conversely, if anyone has one. Please get in touch.

        Many thanks, JP

        1. Norman wood
          AnonymoDus

          Hi
          I am retired now and looking to sell my collection. One is a fine example of a Norman Wood that requires no work at all.
          Please get in touch tel 44-1352710986
          Regards
          Dave

          1. Norman Wood Guitar
            Jay Parish

            Hi Dave, Thanks for your message. How can I get in touch with you? I am very interested in your Guitars. Many thanks & hope to speak to you soon. JP

            1. Norman Wood
              Anonymousd

              Hello J.P.
              Time has come to reduce my collection. Some real high end guitars including one of Norman Woods are up for grabs.
              Contact me on icejoycey AT hotmail.co.uk
              Regards
              Dave

            2. Norman Wood Guitars
              Keith Doherty

              I have a family interest in this subject my wife is the niece of Norman Wood and any information Wood be appreciated .
              The Wood family still have members living in Sennon to this day, yet the family originate from Manchester and Sheffield

        2. Norman Wood Guitar
          Michael Jockel

          Hello,
          I own 2 of Norman Wood’s guitars form the 70s.

          One made of Ebony another of Padauk wood. Both are in fine condition with original cases.
          If interested, send me a message.

          Michael

          1. Norman Wood guitar
            Jay Parish

            Hi Mike,

            Am very interested in getting hold of another of Norman Wood’s guitars. I miss the one that I bought from him in the 70’s. Can you let me know what you want for it? JP

      2. Norman Wood Guitars
        Simon

        Looking to see if there were any Wood guitars out there to buy and luckily came across this thread. I was camping with friends near Norman’s house in Sennen in 1983 and there must have been a sign up outside his house cos we knocked on his door asking about the guitars. I had been playing for a few years and so had my friend so we were delighted that Norman (I’d remembered him as Frank for some reason) invited us in to talk about and play his guitars. What a lovely guy. It obviously made an impression such that I remember it clearly 35 years later. I also remember how playable his guitars were. Would love to find one somewhere.

        1. Norman Wood
          dave joyce

          Hello
          I have one that is a fine example of Normans work and needs nothing doing to it,plays beautifully.
          It’s been in my collection for some 30 years.
          Contact me if your interested.

          1. Wood Guitar
            Anonymous

            Hello, Dave,
            Added to the thread on the guitar site about Norman Wood guitars and saw your posting about your Wood guitar. I’m interested. What’s the deal, please?
            Regards, Simon.

            1. Norman Wood
              Anonymous

              Hi there
              Sorry it’s been so long to reply!
              Th guitar is still available.
              If interested contact me on icejoycey AT hotmail.co.uk
              Regards
              Dave

        2. Re: Looking to see if there were any Wood guitars out... Simon
          dave joyce

          Hello
          I have one that is a fine example of Normans work and needs nothing doing to it,plays beautifully.
          It’s been in my collection for some 30 years.
          Contact me if your interested.

      3. Wood guitar 1976
        Ray wright

        I am looking for a new home for one of Norman’s guitars. It was bought by my old friend Trevor on a trip to Cornwall. My friend died last year. I would like to get the guitar back to Cornwall, to family or to someone who might love it for what it is. Number 61and currently in west London. This is about rehoming, not selling.
        Ray Wright.

      4. Norman Wood Pyramid Back for Sale
        Ben

        Hi guys,

        I’m selling a collection at the moment and have a beautiful pyramid stepped back guitar that was bought from Norman in Sennan back in the 1980s and was wondering if anyone in this group would be interested in buying it…can send pics no problem.

        Cheers – Ben

        1. Wood guitar
          tony werneke

          Hi Ben,
          Just wondering if the Wood guitar is still available, and if so, what you want for it. I currently have one with a few repairs but would be interested. I’ll hope to hear from you.
          Thanks,
          Tony
          Anthony Werneke
          Plaxtol, Kent

      5. Norman Wood guitars
        Anonymous

        Hi. I’m in Sennen this week with a Wood guitar and I was wondering if anyone could give me the directions to Mr Wood’s house or workshop so that I could see where the instrument was made.

        Many thanks

        Henry

        1. Where norman lived
          Dave Shutt

          Hi
          I’m Dave S ( serial No 3) The house Norman lived at in Senne, was called Sunset View. Sadly, Norman passed away a few years ago. he made mine in 1974, but any time we were down there on holls etc, we were always made most welcome. It was a bit like visiting a favourite eccentric uncle ;o)

          I still play daily ( I’m now 64, and intend to keep going!!)

          BTW;
          They were designed specifically to be waxed to get the right tone; use beeswax to get the best tone, and as for strings; they were designed for Martin Bronze, extra Light ( they were the only string makers who would supply him with stock during development. AVOID one that has been varnished. He would roll in his grave if he found out that had been done!
          Happy memories indeed
          D :O)

      6. Discussion in kitchen
        Juha Hämäläinen

        I have never owned a Norman Wood instrument. But I well remember one July night in 1986 when me and my father from Finland were looking for a B&B to stay at for a couple of nights. In the darkening evening I happened to notice the B&B sign by the entrance of Wood’s home road.

        My father who is a violin builder had a long discussion with Mr Wood in the kitchen of the grey stone house. I do not fully understand how these two seniors managed to communicate as my dad doesn’t speak any foreign language. Next morning we did visit the workshop behind the house. On that occasion a very long discussion started about how to choose the right type of wood for a certain part in the instrument. I had the honor to translate the long discussion.

        Back on our way to Helsinki my father said he liked the trip to U.K. and especially the stay in Sennen and talks with Norman Wood. Then he stated that his time is soon over, referring to his old age and nearing death.

        I am now in hospital in Helsinki. My father who is 99 years old visits me every second day. He drives himself to the hospital where we meet in the cafeteria. He brings me everythig to the table as perfectly and fast as he was of my age ie 40 years younger. Some days ago I asked him why he isn’t dead already as he predicted in Harwich 1986. He responded quickly. “I still have excellent raw wood available for a couple of violins. I need to experiment new things based on and as discussed with Norman Wood in 1986. I couldn’t die yet2..”

      7. Norman Wood guitars
        Sisyphus

        Norman made mine in the summer of ’81 after three years on the waiting list; I was working at the Lands End Hotel and was lucky enough to be allowed some time in the workshop while it was being constructed. Some things I was allowed to see – some I was not! Some I photographed but would need to dig in the archives to find them. I’ve played it every day I’ve been at home since then and the tone just gets better and richer with the years, but beware the first few days with a new set of strings, it’s so loud for a lightweight acoustic. Guitarist friends hate mine because he built exactly to my spec – bass playing friends love it. It may not be worth much but in the burning building scenario it would be the guitar I rescued before my Strat or Les Paul – they are replaceable, but this was designed with me, built with me and the artist that produced it is now gone.

      8. Norman Wood guitar
        Peter Heydon

        While playing my guitar today I decided on a whim to look Norman Wood up on the internet and found this site. I was pleased to find others who also owned one of his pyramid backed guitars. I am the proud owner of No. 9, signed by Norman in 1974. I came across his workshop in Cornwall when I lived there and always remember his enthusiasm and great detail, all the time eating oranges. He was a great character and his enthusiasm was infectious. My guitar has seen a few house moves since then and I now live on Prince Edward Island in Canada. The sound has a rich tone and responds particularly well to the finger picking style. I spend many hours playing and often think about that afternoon in Norman’s workshop.

        1. Norman Wood guitar
          H.-G. Koch

          My wife and I happened to spend a fortnight at Norman and June Wood’s home in 1980 still in the house(workshop in the backyard)Sunset View across the street of the old church in Sennen. We had the pleasure to hear a serenade nearly every evening. Norman told us that he started all playing the Ukulele. He, someday, made a bet that he could make an ukulele or guitar from all kinds of wood even tea-boxes. He was proud of some eventions, i.e. the preparation of the wooden material under a pressure(as far as I remember) or the hight of the frets (hope that is the right expression).
          He was also quite proud of a guitar he sold to the now late John Denver in the US.

          We also remember his humor and a skill to play some musicasettes with songs performed on very different instruments via multitracking.

      9. Message for Joan Lavender: NW Guitar: Handmade for Joan, 1970
        Klaran

        Hello, hope you are well, and get this message. I was researching your fathers guitars when i stumbled upon this forum and after reading all the comments, and especially from you Joan, i started to piece a little bit of magic together. I currently know of a Norman Wood guitar for sale and inside it has a lovely label saying ”Made to Specification of Norman Wood, Sennen, Cornwall For Joan, 1970
        Could this be your guitar? It must be one of his first? It has a flat zebra striped back and from what i can tell it has been repaired on the soundboard, so it has seen a bit of life and is a little tatty but still perfectly playable..
        Thought i would share this with you and wondered whether you may be interested in having it, if it is your guitar?
        Kind Regards
        Klaran, Wales, Uk

      10. Message for Joan Lavender: NW Guitar: Handmade for Joan, 1970
        Klaran

        Hello, hope you are well, and get this message. I was researching your fathers guitars when i stumbled upon this forum and after reading all the comments, and especially from you Joan, i started to piece a little bit of magic together. I currently know of a Norman Wood guitar for sale and inside it has a lovely label saying ”Made to Specification of Norman Wood, Sennen, Cornwall For Joan, 1970
        Could this be your guitar? It must be one of his first? It has a flat zebra striped back and from what i can tell it has been repaired on the soundboard, so it has seen a bit of life and is a little tatty but still perfectly playable..
        Thought i would share this with you and wondered whether you may be interested in having it, if it is your guitar?
        Kind Regards
        Klaran, Wales, Uk

      11. Memories of Norman Wood
        Nigel Miller

        Hi Joan
        This thread could get the record for longest timespan ever.
        Just thought I’d pop a note here as I stumbled across this site.
        I met your father when I was in may late teens, back around 1978, and what a lovely guy! I think I was on holiday and playing an acoustic, probably in a pub or on the beach and this chap comes up and says he builds guitars and would I like to see one. He then took myself and small party back to his nearby house/workshop and explained he was an engineer and had come up with a new way of constructing the guitar back. He showed me and let me play a couple of guitars and talked me through the construction. I loved it but as an impoverished teen clearly didn’t have the resources then to buy one!

        I have always remembered the unusual guitars and his delightful passion and eccentric and kind approach, so it was thrilling to see your response and post. I still hope one day to get one of his guitars.

        Best wishes. Nigel Miller, Surrey, UK

        1. Memories of Norman Wood
          Joan Lavender

          Hello Nigel,
          Just decided to serf the site again and when I saw your message. I am so pleased to see that many guitar lovers are still adding to this thread but not totally shocked knowing how enthusiastic my father Norman Wood was when it came to music. I can remember it was a passion that he always returned to after the temporary diversions of creating something ‘new’. He was quite a master of the guitar and mandolin who would spend many an hour playing his instruments, even recording some. His brothers also were musically inclined. Frank was an accomplished concert pianist and Leonard played the banjo. I cannot remember which instrument Ernest played ( could be banjo/mandolin ) but his son David, my cousin played the piano. It was a very interesting family, when the Woods got together it was like a music hall. I remember people stopping outside the house of my grandma whenever uncle Frank played the piano, they would stand for hours. Fond memories are all I have left of them as they have all now passed away.
          Thank you for remembering his kindness, I hope you managed to find one of dads guitars.
          Best regards to you. Joan Lavender, IL, USA

      12. left handed Guitar - i have one also
        Daisy Pye (aka Juliet)

        Sorry Also Max I also Have a Leftie commissioned for my grandad model number 5 1976 – i would love to play it as I am right handed – It may be up for sale soon.

      13. Norman Wood
        Dianne Wood

        I was told by my mother that I had an uncle called Norman Wood who lived in Sennen in Cornwall and he made guitars. I wonder if this is may be my uncle (would actually be my great uncle?). My family originate from Manchester and I would not think there would be two men from Manchester living in Sennen making guitars. My mother also said he used to make football tables?. I have never done my family tree but my dad Frank Wood was an only child, his father was called Leannard Wood and I think he was Normans brother and there was another brother called Frank who used to be a very good piano player?. Sorry that all I know, hope it was of some help.

        1. your post: norman wood
          dave s

          Hi Dianne
          Just trawling the net and saw your mail (from a while ago now).
          I still have ( and play daily) a my beloved Wood. I met Norman many years ago in the early 70’s( in Sennen).I mithered and mithered about ordering one, as they cost about £130 in those days . I went back down and We sat in his kitchen, and co designed/selected wood types etc etc my guitar ( serial number is 3 !!). I waited nearly 9 months for it to arrive too!
          Anyway, he did indeed have Manchester roots ( I was from Stockport ) and he had a brother lived in on Didsbury Rd, in Heaton Norris.
          He also worked in wood too, and made beautiful long case clocks ( I ended up visiting him once as well!)
          Don’t know if that helps tie in at all
          Cheers
          D

        2. norman wood
          pauline hurst

          My Grandfather was Jonathan Percival Wood his Nephews and my mother Sylvia’s cousins were Norman Frank and Ernest Wood, Norman the guitar maker, Frank a concert pianist on the BBC Radio and Ernest who raced Greyhounds and owned property in Central Manchester I would love to know more about any one of them my Aunt Beatrice was I believe involved with Frank but my Grand father ended it as they were cousins.
          The family I believe spent some time in South Africa. I have always understood the family made and lost a fortune and wonder what the back story was behind this talented family.

          1. Norman Wood
            Joan Lavender

            Hello Pauline, we are distant relations and connected to the Wood family from Manchester UK. My father was Norman Wood who is known lovingly as the guitar maker of Sennen, Cornwall. Norman had 2 children with his first wife Annie (my mother). I am his first born named Joan and he had a son named Eric. Eric and I now reside in the USA. Dad had another son named Norman jr with his second wife June. I can recollect your grandfather visiting when we lived at the house in Levenshulme along with your grandmother. I knew him as uncle Percy. Dads siblings were, Ernest, the greyhound owner, Eva the store owner, Leonard, Frank the pianist and Alan the clock maker. Their mother was my loving grandmother Annie (Exley) Wood. I do not know if this is spelled correctly but I have tried to delve into the family tree on the Wood side to no avail. I did also hear of a South african connection and understood that my fathers father was living there as a wheelwright. I wonder if a cousin Ruth would have any of this information, she is the last living child of Ernest. I have lost contact and do not know if she is still living. She had a sister Vera and a brother David who are both deceased. I would also appreciate any knowledge regarding the family tree. I may be contacted at [email protected].

      14. Norman Wood Guitar
        Susan

        I have a Norman Wood guitar in a lovely hard velvet lined case which was my brother’s who recently died.
        I do not play so would like to sell it. Do you know anyone who would be interested in buying it or has any idea how much it is worth.
        Any info appreciated
        Thanks

        1. Norman Wood Guitar
          Nicholas Lavender

          Hi,
          My name is Nicholas Lavender, son of Kevin Lavender and grandson of Joan Lavender. My Great grandfather was Norman Wood (Joan Lavender Father). My family and I have been trying to get ahold of one of my grandfathers guitars for a very long time now and if you still have the guitar my family and I are very interested. Hope to hear from you soon.
          Thanks,
          Nicholas.

          1. norman wood guitar
            Matt

            hi
            I live in amsterdam and have a guitar made by norman wood, it has been repaired, but is now playing and sounding beautiful,
            i would be interested in selling it, in the region of 600-700 euros, which would cover the renovation costs, let me know if youre interested,
            yours sincerely
            MAtt

      15. Norman Wood Guitars.
        Kif Wood

        My name is the same, but I am NOT a relative. I met Norman on numerous occasions in the early 70’s when I moved to Cornwall with an unshakable desire to build Guitars. Norman was always VERY thoughtful and helpful, but insisted that making guitars was a very bad decision as I wouldn’t earn much by doing so. I have to admit he was right!!! However, it has become a wonderful ‘vocation’, and I seem to have many satisfied customers who have also become good friends. Unforgotten were his inimitable comments. ‘Wood by name wood by nature!’, ‘Martin? Martin! I wouldn’t give you tuppence for a Martin!!!’ Etc, etc. If any one is interested I may have an ‘African Walnut’ model for sale soon. Slightly restored, but very playable.

    1. Re: Norman Wood Group
      Joan Lavender

      : : Hi my name is Ruby Thornton and I have one of your dads guitars I found it in the bin in Australia and I got it restored I didnt know that it was worth or the history of it or who Norman Wood was I would love send you photos of it and may be you can tell me more about it. I carted this broken guitar around with me for 6 years befor I got it restored I paid $500 AU AND Icant play guitar but I fell in love with this guitar.
      : : Wot a buzz your dads guitars made it all around the world.

      : : It would be great if you can tell me about your dad and when he started making guitars my one that I have is a 12 string guitar and its sticker inside says it was made in 1974 and it was number 3 it has carved steps in the back of it and everyone that sees it say they have never seen one like is ever

      : : so can you plse get in touch with me and I can email you some photos

      : : THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
      : : ruby thornton, Australia

      : Hi Ruby,

      : I was just whiling my time on the internet, and say your input.
      : I am also in Oz, (West Australia), and own a Norman Wood Guitar, which at the time of manufacture was and I quote Norman, "the most expensive guitar he had made".

      : It is number 27, and completed in 1975.

      : It took 5 months to make, and the ‘re-inforced’ case came from Scotland.

      : Please contact me, as I would love to see some pictures etc.
      : Ciau,
      : David LG Wed. 13th May 2009.

      Hi Ruby, i am the daughter of the late Norman Wood who made your guitar and i am really happy to hear you value it so much. Norman also made a mandolin with a similar structure which he lovingly played as often as his guitar. i am now the proud owner of this instrument
      Joan Lavender Feb 4 2010.

    2. Re: Norman Wood Group
      Joan Lavender

      : : Hi my name is Ruby Thornton and I have one of your dads guitars I found it in the bin in Australia and I got it restored I didnt know that it was worth or the history of it or who Norman Wood was I would love send you photos of it and may be you can tell me more about it. I carted this broken guitar around with me for 6 years befor I got it restored I paid $500 AU AND Icant play guitar but I fell in love with this guitar.
      : : Wot a buzz your dads guitars made it all around the world.

      : : It would be great if you can tell me about your dad and when he started making guitars my one that I have is a 12 string guitar and its sticker inside says it was made in 1974 and it was number 3 it has carved steps in the back of it and everyone that sees it say they have never seen one like is ever

      : : so can you plse get in touch with me and I can email you some photos

      : : THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
      : : ruby thornton, Australia

      : Hi Ruby,

      : I was just whiling my time on the internet, and say your input.
      : I am also in Oz, (West Australia), and own a Norman Wood Guitar, which at the time of manufacture was and I quote Norman, "the most expensive guitar he had made".

      : It is number 27, and completed in 1975.

      : It took 5 months to make, and the ‘re-inforced’ case came from Scotland.

      : Please contact me, as I would love to see some pictures etc.
      : Ciau,
      : David LG Wed. 13th May 2009.

    3. Re: Norman Wood Group
      Joan Lavender

      : : Hi my name is Ruby Thornton and I have one of your dads guitars I found it in the bin in Australia and I got it restored I didnt know that it was worth or the history of it or who Norman Wood was I would love send you photos of it and may be you can tell me more about it. I carted this broken guitar around with me for 6 years befor I got it restored I paid $500 AU AND Icant play guitar but I fell in love with this guitar.
      : : Wot a buzz your dads guitars made it all around the world.

      : : It would be great if you can tell me about your dad and when he started making guitars my one that I have is a 12 string guitar and its sticker inside says it was made in 1974 and it was number 3 it has carved steps in the back of it and everyone that sees it say they have never seen one like is ever

      : : so can you plse get in touch with me and I can email you some photos

      : : THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
      : : ruby thornton, Australia

      : Hi Ruby,

      : I was just whiling my time on the internet, and say your input.
      : I am also in Oz, (West Australia), and own a Norman Wood Guitar, which at the time of manufacture was and I quote Norman, "the most expensive guitar he had made".

      : It is number 27, and completed in 1975.

      : It took 5 months to make, and the ‘re-inforced’ case came from Scotland.

      : Please contact me, as I would love to see some pictures etc.
      : Ciau,
      : David LG Wed. 13th May 2009.

  3. Emerador Acoustic
    Dana Lynn

    I won this guitar a few years back and have been trying to figure out what it is. I don’t know much. No serial number and say handmade in side on a golden sticker with a crown on it. On the headstock there is a wild cats head with a crown as the handle to a sword. The pick guard isn’t round and has a small butterfly one large vine and two smaller ones with the looks of flowers this design is in gold. It has this little hole thing in it that I was told is where you could hook it up to an amp. If you have any information that’d be great.

    Thanks for your time.

      1. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... kenny gionet
        kenny gionet

        : I won this guitar a few years back and have been trying to figure out what it is. I don’t know much. No serial number and say handmade in side on a golden sticker with a crown on it. On the headstock there is a wild cats head with a crown as the handle to a sword. The pick guard isn’t round and has a small butterfly one large vine and two smaller ones with the looks of flowers this design is in gold. It has this little hole thing in it that I was told is where you could hook it up to an amp. If you have any information that’d be great.

        : Thanks for your time.

        hey ya it sounds like we got the same guitar mine is approx.37 yrs old my father had it till he died a few yrs back now im playin it i dont know much about it i had to flip it cuz im a lefthanded player but it still sounds good everthing i hav heard about it has been ok so hang on to it it could be worth something but im not sure.take care kenny

  4. emperador acoustic /electric
    kenny gionet

    i have one of these got it from my dad who passed on a few yrs back but it is a fullsize acoustic with a small pickup in the center hole 1 volume 1 tone knob 1971ish was when it was boughtblack pick guard with butterfly an some kind of vine on the headstock is a panther head with a crown then a sword this guitar sounds real nice plugged or unplugged my guess is rthat it is 40 yrs old possibly model#F005NE SERIAL#56-5 made in japan if anyone has any info pls let me know im curious to see where this came from its priceless to me so i will nevr sell just nevr heard of them before thanks alot

    1. Re: emperador acoustic /electric
      Hla Win

      Hi guys! I also bought an emperador acoustic/elec guitrar but it was made in Korea. The japanese model were made by Kasuga Co. in 1966 – 1992 but the co. no longer exits. The later model were made in Korea. The guitars were distribute by Wetheimer Musical Instruments of Chicago, IL. More info can be found from below link –
      http://books.google.com.au/books?id=mJMeu640Y7UC&pg=PA177&lpg=PA177&dq=EMPERADOR%29+STEEL+STRING+ACOUSTIC+GUITAR&source=bl&ots=5JRzt6Xybp&sig=fCVz8wRzdQJDZonsp6E78s-HL6s&hl=en&ei=LwxoSrDaC4v0sQO-_9CyBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1

    2. Re: emperador acoustic /electric
      Hla Win

      Hi guys! I also bought an emperador acoustic/elec guitrar but it was made in Korea. The japanese model were made by Kasuga Co. in 1966 – 1992 but the no longer exits. The later model were made in Korea. The guitars were distribute by Wetheimer Musical Instruments of Chicago, IL. More info can be found from below link –
      http://books.google.com.au/books?id=mJMeu640Y7UC&pg=PA177&lpg=PA177&dq=EMPERADOR%29+STEEL+STRING+ACOUSTIC+GUITAR&source=bl&ots=5JRzt6Xybp&sig=fCVz8wRzdQJDZonsp6E78s-HL6s&hl=en&ei=LwxoSrDaC4v0sQO-_9CyBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1

  5. I have a colt guitar that has mother of pearl blue birds on it and has the model number of AWB-7 anyone know anything about this and possibly a price? i bought it at a yard sale a few years ago for 85 bucks.

    1. Re: Emperador acoustic guitar
      matthew murphree

      i have a Emperador acoustic guitar and there a great guitar mine is standed yellowish gold with brown cow leather and my dad got it for me and it cost around 230 USED and its been USED pretty good but it sounds awesome and its well worth its money and i noticed that there is very little information bout this brand but it was made in Korea

    2. Re: Emperador acoustic guitar
      James

      : I was given a used Emperador acoustic guitar about 20 years ago that had been purchased by my sister about 5 or 10 years prior to that used. It is a golden wood tone in the front with much darker outside edge and sides. There is a black pick guard with a white, yellow and red engraving of a hummingbird and butterfly hovering near a trumpet vine. Inside there is a sticker inside the guitar which says," Lark Guitars,Distributed exclusively by Philadelphia Music Co. Inc., Limerick, PA 19468. Model No. L-260. It seems that anyone I’ve met that has seen it has never heard of it before. I’m thinking about upgrading but would like to know what this one is worth for trade in value before I do. Seems funny that so little is known about this guitar. Any furtrhier info. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

    3. Re: Emperador acoustic guitar
      James

      Hello,

      I also have an Emperador acoustic guitar that I bought at a yard sale around 20 years ago. The only markings are Limerick and Lark along wt the serial # L20512, written on the inside. My guitar is a simple brown 12 string. The neck became warped about 10 years ago, after being stored in my sisters damp basement for about a year. I am going to try and have the neck repaired soon. Another guitar player that I know told me that Emperador is a Spanish guitar. I still haven’t investigated it’s origins yet.

    4. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Christine
      Christine

      I was given a used Emperador acoustic guitar about 20 years ago that had been purchased by my sister about 5 or 10 years prior to that used. It is a golden wood tone in the front with much darker outside edge and sides. There is a black pick guard with a white, yellow and red engraving of a hummingbird and butterfly hovering near a trumpet vine. Inside there is a sticker inside the guitar which says," Lark Guitars,Distributed exclusively by Philadelphia Music Co. Inc., Limerick, PA 19468. Model No. L-260. It seems that anyone I’ve met that has seen it has never heard of it before. I’m thinking about upgrading but would like to know what this one is worth for trade in value before I do. Seems funny that so little is known about this guitar. Any furtrhier info. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

      1. guitar.........
        deans1

        i have a acoustic guitar that i cant seem to find much information about,can anyone give me some info on this? it says on it philadelphia music co. m-50 with a serial #50377 ????????

  6. my emperador guitar
    joanne mccluskey

    I’m trying to find some info on my first guitar, which I still have. It’s an Emperador acoustic/electric. It doesn’t have any model details on it that I can see. It is sunburst in colour, f sound holes, has double humbuckers and 2 tone 2 volume controls. The sticker on the back says made in japan. I was given this guitar approx 35 years ago by my parents, it requires work to get it playing again. As a guitar teacher, this guitar holds great sentimental value to me and I was hoping to get it working again. My mother seems to remember paying $150 australian dollars for the guitar. Thank you.

    1. Re: my emperador guitar
      Shane Ibbett

      Ii have an old emperador electric guitar its a les paul copy i bought it second hand about
      25 years ago would like to know how old it is and what its worth and if i could get it restored.

      1. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... bertrand-jc
        bertrand-jc

        : J’essaie de trouver quelques infos sur ma première guitare, que j’ai toujours. C’Est une Emperador acoustique / électrique. Elle ne dispose pas de détails sur ce modèle que je peux voir. Il est de couleur sunburst, ouïes f, a humbuckers double et 2 Tone 2 Contrôles de volume. L’autocollant à l’ «arrière Made in Japan. On M’a Donné ce ENV guitare il ya 35 ans par mes parents, il Requiert un travail pour le faire jouer de nouveau. En Tant que professeur de guitare, cette guitare Possède Une grande valeur sentimentale pour moi et je souhaitais le faire fonctionner à nouveau. Ma mère Semble se souvenir de payer 150 millions de dollars australiens pour la guitare. Merci.

    2. Re: my emperador guitar
      bertrand

      : J’essaie de trouver quelques infos sur ma première guitare, que j’ai toujours. C’est une Emperador acoustique / électrique. Elle ne dispose pas de détails sur ce modèle que je peux voir. Il est de couleur sunburst, f ouïes, a humbuckers double et 2 Tone 2 contrôles de volume. L’autocollant à l’arrière «Made in japan. On m’a donné ce env guitare il ya 35 ans par mes parents, il requiert un travail pour le faire jouer de nouveau. En tant que professeur de guitare, cette guitare possède une grande valeur sentimentale pour moi et je souhaitais le faire fonctionner à nouveau. Ma mère semble se souvenir de payer 150 millions de dollars australiens pour la guitare. Merci.

    1. Re: Emperador Acoustic
      dakota

      i also have an emperador that was given to me. the serial number has been fadded out for longer than i can remeber but you can still see the model no. which is AF-37.

    2. Re: Emperador Acoustic
      john

      I have the exact same model of emperador guitar which I bought back in 1989… that is the model number 26777 and it was made in korea… This guitar has a nicer tone to it than a yamaha guitar I have

    3. Re: Emperador Acoustic
      john

      : I have an Emperador acoustic that was given to me. It’s around 23 years old if not older. It’s black with two birds in branches on the pickguard. I’m not sure if the serial number is behind the headstock, but a sticker with the numbers 26777 can be read. I would really appreciate info. on this if possible. Thanx

      1. Re: Emperador Acoustic
        S. Hewa

        : : I have an Emperador acoustic that was given to me. It’s around 23 years old if not older. It’s black with two birds in branches on the pickguard. I’m not sure if the serial number is behind the headstock, but a sticker with the numbers 26777 can be read. I would really appreciate info. on this if possible. Thanx

        I have the exact same guitar with the exact same numbers and look. I picked up from a garage sale about 15 years ago. I still play it and love the sound of it and it is a very beautiful guitar. I have no idea how much it is worth and where it came from originally. There is another sticker in the back of the stock under the 26777 which read made in Korea. I am not really sure about that. Tried to find some information on line and this is all I found: http://www.guitar-museum.com/guitar-34428-Emperador-12801-Blue-Jay-Pickguard

      2. Re: Emperador Acoustic
        geeo

        : : I have an Emperador acoustic that was given to me. It’s around 23 years old if not older. It’s black with two birds in branches on the pickguard. I’m not sure if the serial number is behind the headstock, but a sticker with the numbers 26777 can be read. I would really appreciate info. on this if possible. Thanx

        What color is it?

      3. Re: Emperador Acoustic
        john

        I will try this again….I have the exact same model of emperador ie, 26777 which was made in korea…I purchased this guitar new back in 1989… the guitar has a nicer sound to it than a yamaha guitar I have

    4. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Jozey
      Jozey

      I have an Emperador acoustic that was given to me. It’s around 23 years old if not older. It’s black with two birds in branches on the pickguard. I’m not sure if the serial number is behind the headstock, but a sticker with the numbers 26777 can be read. I would really appreciate info. on this if possible. Thanx

      1. guitar
        Anonymous

        i also have an emperador acoustic guitar which was left to me by my father.it has two birds and branches on a black pickguard. it is a 26777 and has a very good sound.i would like to know a little more about it if anyone knows more i would appreciate the info!

      2. Emperador model#26777
        Ray

        I have the same guitar,and know for more .owned by relatives.these guitars have a distinct sound of their own.i bought mine new,mid 80’s.from the Sears catolague.believe it or not!now you know.these guitars are awesome hold on to it.

      3. Emperador 12 strings acoustic guitar
        Aleksander Strand

        Gentelmen,
        I have an exelent Emperador 12 strings acoustic guitar model F007N with serial no. 262, made in Japan.
        Could you kindly said what year of production for my guitar?
        Thanks in advance,
        Aleksander

      4. Emperador model no.26777
        Anonymous

        I have the exact same guitar that was handed down from my father to me. So this is what i know so far. Originally Emperador was first imported from Japan and later moved to Korea. More were manufactured in Korea. I believe 26777 was manufactured in 1989 but don’t quote me on that. I have talked to my father and he remembers buying in brand new back in early 90s. Heres the funny part, he ordered in from the Sears catalogue. He said he only paid a couple hundred dollars for it at the time . From what I read they are made by a man named Jack Westheimer. I believe he discontinued making guitars and at this time is not willing to even discuss them anymore. His guitars were well known for how well they were built and there affordability.

    1. Re: Emperador Electric Bass
      pat59

      : I have a Bassguitar called Emperador, Japan-built. It´s an exact copy of a Fender PrecisionBass, and I think it´s from the early eighties. Does anyone know anything about it, the brand, quality a.s.o.
      : Regards
      : ZINGO Swe
      I have too a bassguitar Emperador, bought it in 1983. It is still like new, also if it is 25 years old. I payd for it a sum of +/- 110,00 euro. This is only i know about it. regards. PAT59 italia

    2. Re: Emperador Electric Bass
      egat

      : I have a Bassguitar called Emperador, Japan-built. It´s an exact copy of a Fender PrecisionBass, and I think it´s from the early eighties. Does anyone know anything about it, the brand, quality a.s.o.
      : Regards
      : ZINGO Swe

      yeah, i’m in the same boat. i cant find out anyting about it, despite my best attempts.
      mine has a very heavy sound, i like it. its a bit weighty and the neck is a tad wide for my hands, but it fits nicely.
      i removed the neck and checked the base of that for a date or xerial number, but to no avail.

    3. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Zingo
      Zingo

      I have a Bassguitar called Emperador, Japan-built. It´s an exact copy of a Fender PrecisionBass, and I think it´s from the early eighties. Does anyone know anything about it, the brand, quality a.s.o.
      Regards
      ZINGO Swe

    1. Re: Emperador Electric Guitar
      Stephen

      : Can anyone tell me about the above guitar. My son was given one that is about 25 years old and we are curious as to the quality?
      In regards to this I would like to make sure we are on the same page is yours a les paul style electric.Mine is if so you are holding on to a very rare guitar I was informed there may only be 30 left in the world.The sound is very nice all my friends love it over there expensive guitars it has great tone. One common problem is the loose amplifier jack.On the issue of value I’m still uncertain

    2. Re: Emperador Electric Guitar
      Phil

      All i can tell you is that i bought mine brand new in about 1980 or 1981. It was a gibson SG copy. We couldnt afford an ibanez and so dad bought me this as my first guitar after hounding the crap out of him. The music shops here in Sydney Australia all had them at the time as a cheap line of guitar. I have had it ever since. I now have a room full of expensive guitars but this being my first , i hold dearly even though i never play it now. I had a good look at it the other day, and was impressed with how well it was made and the quality of the timbers and accessories. I am sure it is comparible with an ibanez of the same vintage of which i own a few. Appears to be a quality rosewood fretboard and the weight is comparable to that of any of the rivals. A very well made quality instrument compared to the rubbish at the cheap end today. 25 years ago, i treated it like a cheap piece of crap because that is how it was percieved, an unknown brand that disappeared quickly off the shelves. Now i look at it as a quality instrument well made of quality materials.
      For those wanting to know more, my mentor friend at the time had one that was like an SG in shape but black with triple pickups in gold color, all from the factory. It was a little thicker i think than my SG copy and maybe a little bigger overall. It had beautiful pearl inlay work from memory. It was a factory model i believe the top of their range. His father bought it for him as a present and i know it cost a lot more than my SG copy. He still has it. I should get a picture of it and the model No. Thats all i know about emperador.

      1. Re: Emperador Electric Guitar
        Ozeshin

        :
        I have an Emperador Strat copy that I bought new in 1979.
        As the previous poster stated the Australian market was flooded with this brand back in the mid ’70’s early ’80’s.
        Sadly for the poster with the SG copy….Emerador guitars were ALL plywood bodies.
        NOT mahogany like Gibsons or basswood like Ibanez.
        I owned two of the start copies at one stage and the paint wore off the back of one exposing the plywood underneath.
        A bit of research has turned up that ALL Emperador guitars were plywood.
        If anyone is looking to sell one of these it unfortunately won’t fetch very much.
        Sorry 🙁

      2. Re: Emperador Electric Guitar
        Sam Headon

        hi, i pulled a guitar out of the guitar the other day and i think it’s exactly the same as the one your tali=king about its emperador, and i can’t fing any info on them, so if you have any info on them please mail it ot me

        cheers

    3. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Zeta
      Zeta

      Can anyone tell me about the above guitar. My son was given one that is about 25 years old and we are curious as to the quality?

      1. ELECTRIC EMPORADOR GUITAR (CUSTOM)
        Matt

        Hi
        I have a EMPORADOR electric guitar. I have had it for 15 years.
        I have a friend that customizes guitars in which he converts to an electric with its own built in amp.
        Great sound and you can take anywhere you want!
        You charge it up on your car battery and takes 20 mins each battery.
        They last for around 40hours playing time. It has a 80watt speaker in which blasts your ear drums at full volume.
        Customizing them can only be done with strat style guitars
        There is only 7 ever done like this and he has no plans to do any more!
        Great fun to play. He has included a double hummbucker pick to go with the originals.
        To me it is priceless!!
        I can email some pics if anyone is interested in seeing it!
        Rock on

    1. Re: Emperador Electric Guitar
      alistar

      I think I have an emperador electric guitar like yours.Mine is a black Les Paul copy with humbuckers.It is a well made guitar(Japanese,I think?)and sounds like a gibson.Congratulations,you own a very nice guitar!!!

          1. Re: Emperador Acoustic
            pault8772

            : :
            : : : emperador 6 string accoustic serial #AAW2
            : : : what is its value and what is the rating on this guitar. thank you

            I happen to have the saame type and same model
            number as mine; I have had mine for 23 yrs. and
            had done some looking around on this type of
            guitar: evidently these are rare to get a hold
            of, as the company is no longer around, and that
            the Everly Brothers used these and really like
            them. I happen to find out earlyier this year that where I had paid $100.00 for it, I could
            get anywhere between $40 to $60 for my guitar.
            If any more info comes along, please pass
            it on. Thank you very much.

          2. Re: Emperador Acoustic
            pault8772

            : :
            : : : emperador 6 string accoustic serial #AAW2
            : : : what is its value and what is the rating on this guitar. thank you

            I happen to have the saame type and same model
            number as mine; I have had mine for 23 yrs. and
            had done some looking around on this type of
            guitar: evidently these are rare to get a hold
            of, as the company is no longer around, and that
            the Everly Brothers used these and really like
            them. If any more info comes along, please pass
            it on. Thank you very much.

    1. Re: Emperador Acoustic
      mary battreal

      : 22 years ago I bought a used Emperador AAW2 made in Korea,this guitar
      : looks new and sounds great.I play it as much as my Martin and Taylor.
      : I am looking for information on the production date of this guitar,

    2. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... BOB
      BOB

      22 years ago I bought a used Emperador AAW2 made in Korea,this guitar
      looks new and sounds great.I play it as much as my Martin and Taylor.
      I am looking for information on the production date of this guitar,

      1. Emperador 12 String no numbers
        RitaPT

        I bought an Emperador 12 string acoustic at a pawn shop in 1968. The only thing the labels says is Hand Made. Anyone know anything about this guitar? It has great sound.

    1. Re: Emperador guitar
      Jake

      I have a Cort guitar with two blue birds on branches with berries also with the model number AWB-7. I have no idea about this guitar bought it at a yard sale. It says that it;s made in Korea but thats all i know about it.

      1. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Boloman
        Boloman

        All roads lead back to Jack Westheimer, who was one of the earliest (and most influential) importers to cultivate Japanese manufacturing in the years surrounding 1960. And it was Westheimer who, along with folks like Jerry Freed and Tommy Moore, brought Korea to the point where today more than half of all guitars made in the world come from that Asian peninsula.

        Teisco del Rey and Kingston were not the only brand names associated with Jack Westheimer. Another, which would have added significance today, was Cortez. Cortez would be important because it’s from that moniker that today’s Cort brand derived, in abbreviated form.

        The Cortez brand name dates bact to around ’60, and the beginning of our tale. The Cortez brand was given (by Westheimer) to a line of good-quality Martin-style dreadnoughts manufactured in Japan by the Hiyashi (or Yashi?) factory. Westheimer dispatched some of his staff to visit the factory and work with them to develop the product, resulting in Cortez acoustic guitars. Remember, guitars were still called Spanish guitars in those days, an appellation that has fallen by the wayside; hence, the “Spanish” names like Cortez and del Rey. According to Westheimer, Hiyashi was one of the top Japanese acoustic factories, and it was responsible for many Cortez and Emperador acoustics. Hiyashi was bought out by Pearl sometime in the early ’70s and that marked the end of its glory days.

        Again, no reference materials are available to document Cortez guitars in detail.

        Westheimer recalls one acoustic/electric model made by Hiyashi carrying his Emperador brand that was actually played by the Everly Brothers. Fewer than 180 of those guitars were imported because they just didn’t catch on. One day, the Everly Brothers’ manager called Westheimer to see if any more could be obtained because the Everly’s guitars had run into repair problems. Westheimer was able to locate several examples in various warehouses and got them to the crooners. He still gets requests for that guitar.

  7. Emperador Acoustic : Model Number : 1128
    Lindy Herbertson

    My dad gave me his old emperador acoustic, its about 30 years old. Plays like a dream. Does anyone know about the company. The label inside says made in japan. Thanks

    1. Emperador Acoustic
      Blake Buchanan

      This Guitar is about 30 years old. It was a gift from a band member of one of neil diamonds road crew. I need more info about these guitars.

    1. Re: Emperador Acoustic
      Gary

      :
      : I have an Emperador 12 String Acoustic, with a label inside that says "Model no 1243. Made in Korea"

      : Any information?
      ————————————————————
      have the same 12 string with the same label in it and was wondering if you had found any information an this guitar.

    1. Re: Emperador guitar
      Steven

      : Information on Emperador guitar model # A A W 41
      : This seems to be a old guitar and I would like any information you could give me about it. Thanks
      I had one in the early 70’s. Bought it new for 149.00 canadian. After I set the guitar up it played like silk but the humbuckers were no the best. I had a les Paul copy. They made sg, tele, and very nice acoustic.

      1. Re: Emperador guitar
        eric

        I also have an emperador les paul copy. I picked it up at a pawn shop in Australia in the late 80’s. It seemed to be quite old as the frets were quite worn & it came with a case & strap that had certainly been around for years (as if it been under someones bed for 10 yrs). Mine has grover machineheads, mother of pearl inlay on frets & is solid maple (i think). This guitar plays like a dream & sustains forever. I play santana, peter green blues type stuff & although it weighs a ton, it is my main guitar. No serial number, made in Japan & no one seems to know anything about it.

    2. Re: Emperador guitar
      mikerockydog

      : Information on Emperador guitar model # A A W 41
      : This seems to be a old guitar and I would like any information you could give me about it. Thanks

      1. Re: Emperador guitar
        pete harris

        : emperador was a company built in japan by the kasuga company circa 66-92, distro by westheimer musical instruments of chicago as a entery level line to their cort product line. most well known for their brief collision with ibnez after some sort of copyright violation with their hummingbird guitars. these are an odd guitar, i have martins, i work for taylor guitars…i’ve played some of the best, and some of the worst. funny thing is, these guitars hold up to both ends of the scale. i played a mahogany emperador with a spruce top, and sound wise it held up to my taylor 510ce though playability wasn’t nearly as nice, but for the price it was more than worth it. then again i toyed with one in a guitar shop in orange county, ca. that was crap. it wouldnt stay in tune, the neck seemed to be off the, strings were miles from the fretboard…crap. odd company, if you get the right one it can be a great guitar for the price.

        Your right! The classical Emperador made on the right day is a fine instrument. The sound is comparable to any Yamaha or Suzuki of the era and they were handcrafted in Japan as well.

        1. Re: Emperador guitar
          Kenny

          Hi, just picked up an Emperador model 57-12801. This is a Gibson dove copy, except it has bluebirds on a grapevine. It’s black with split rectangular neck inlays. I got it on ebay cheap, my best gamble. Most people look for the old Japanese ones, well this one is Korean. But I’ll tell you,this one has great quality. The white on the birds on the pickguard looks like real mother of pearl. The sound is great a 9 out 10,rich and full not empty or hollow like a lot of the early Korean stuff. I would probally given it a 10 for sound, but I have a Tokai cats eye which edges it out,but I think that guitar would compete with almost anything. This Emperador is a real headturner everyone loves.

      2. Re: Emperador guitar
        emperador 0174

        : : Information on Emperador guitar model # A A W 41
        : : This seems to be a old guitar and I would like any information you could give me about it. Thanks

        1. Re: Emperador guitar
          John vG

          I’ve got an old acoustic with a hack job pickup and the damn thing sounds pretty good. Even had it full of water once on a canoe trip. It’s a tough box. I believe it was bought at Sears in Canada.

            1. Re: Emperador guitar
              Dan

              I have an Emerador acoustic that I recieved as a gift. It’s more of a sentimental value to me, as it was my fathers and we had not spoken in a long time. during our time of not speaking, i had learned the guitar like he always wanted me to, so when we were reunited, he was more than happy to give it to me, as that was always his intention when he tried to teach me 8 years ago. It has such a rich sound to it. It’s not an expensive guitar. I think he only paid $50 for it. But the sound is still so amazing. It’s my favorite guitar, and will always be my number one.

            2. Re: Emperador guitar
              Andy

              I have an Emperador Les Paul Custom copy circa 1970’s. I believe Emperador was an off-shoot of Ibinez, however, Gibson sued the company sometime in the late 1970’s in order to prevent any more Gibson copies being made by them. My guitar plays well and I gig with it constantly. It will do the job untill such time that I can afford the real deal. Aus$250.00 on Ebay, plus about Aus$100.00 to make it playable, not a bad price for a Les Paul Custom!! Andy.

              1. Re: Emperador guitar
                Campblor

                I got an Emperador Les Paul copy too, with a dark wood finish. I got it for $160 from a hock shop in Newcastle, Australia almost 10 years ago now. best $160 i ever spent, but i dont know a damn thing about the company

    3. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Dick Fahsel
      Dick Fahsel

      Information on Emperador guitar model # A A W 41
      This seems to be a old guitar and I would like any information you could give me about it. Thanks

      1. Emperador dreadnought style acoustic guitar
        Bruce Howlett

        I have just been given an Emperador Model 1246 Serial number S03213 by an old friend as a restoration project. It is minus tuning machines, bridge pegs and strap buttons, but is otherwise in pretty good condition. I would like to find out about it’s manufacture, what year, materials used, quality of the model, etc., but there appears to be an incredible lack of any information about this company and it’s products. I have noticed that the same brand name is associated with violin manufacture, but nothing else to associate it with the guitars with the same brand name. I would appreciate any information or directions to find any web based data or historical data on this guitar.

      2. Emperador Strat Copy
        Dan

        I’ve got an Emperador strat copy, that ould have to be a 70s guitar. I bought it second hand back in the late 80s early 90s and its been in safe keeping with a firend until it was presented back to me yesterday! Would love to be able to know what year it was made and what its now worth!

      3. emperador guitars
        Anonymous

        I remember jamming with guys in the 80’s who had these (tele copies mostly, one of which was a dead ringer for custom tele, 2 fender type humbuckers, strat type headstock. I remember being impressed with these geets and am checking out a deal on a nylon stringer ( which looks the goods,ie; solid top perhaps?, gold & perloid tuners, so doesn’t look too lowend. would be 70’s or 80’s at a guess

    1. : I need information on a guitar named Guthrie that was manufactured by Guthrie Guitar Works. It was bought in 1977.
      : Any information would be helpful, becuase no one seems to have ever heard of one. It was bought while Gibson said
      : they werenot going to make any more guitars. I was told that the same people were making the "Guthrie". Any help
      : would be appreciated.

      i bought a guthrie guitar today. its in great condition but i cant find any info about it. anyone? links? anything?

    2. Re: Guthrie
      Davdaws

      : I need information on a guitar named Guthrie that was manufactured by Guthrie Guitar Works. It was bought in 1977.
      : Any information would be helpful, becuase no one seems to have ever heard of one. It was bought while Gibson said
      : they werenot going to make any more guitars. I was told that the same people were making the "Guthrie". Any help
      : would be appreciated.

      I’ve got one too, but know nothing of the origin.

    3. Re: Guthrie
      Sailor

      : I need information on a guitar named Guthrie that was manufactured by Guthrie Guitar Works. It was bought in 1977.
      : Any information would be helpful, becuase no one seems to have ever heard of one. It was bought while Gibson said
      : they werenot going to make any more guitars. I was told that the same people were making the "Guthrie". Any help
      : would be appreciated.
      Own a Guthrie myself and had hoped you guys had figured this all out by now.

    4. Re: Guthrie
      Terry

      : I need information on a guitar named Guthrie that was manufactured byGuthrie Guitar Works. It was bought in 1977.
      : Any information would be helpful, becuase no one seems to have ever heard of one. It was bought while Gibson said
      : they werenot going to make any more guitars. I was told that the same people were making the "Guthrie". Any help
      : would be appreciated.

      Patsy,

      Hi, did you ever find out any additional information about your Guthrie Guitar? Please respond back with ANY info.

      1. Re: Guthrie
        kevin p

        I also have a guthrie guitar , I bought it in a pawn shop in ft walton beach about 1978 , The guy that sold it to me said it was made by Fender , but I don’t know if he knew what he was talking about .

      2. Re: Guthrie
        Nightphyre

        I too, would like info on Guthrie Guitar Works. I still have one, bought about 1975-1976. It still plays beautifully! I used to know something of the "history" but too many years have passed……..

    5. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Patsy
      Patsy

      I need information on a guitar named Guthrie that was manufactured by Guthrie Guitar Works. It was bought in 1977.
      Any information would be helpful, becuase no one seems to have ever heard of one. It was bought while Gibson said
      they werenot going to make any more guitars. I was told that the same people were making the "Guthrie". Any help
      would be appreciated.

      1. Guthrie Guitar Works
        Claire R

        I’ve inherited a 12-string Guthrie (Guitar Works) from my husband who was a guitarist. I know nothing of its value or history. Any information would be appreciated!

        1. G30
          Rachel Jones

          I just bought a Guthrie g30 with a cracked neck from the pawn shop today for $30. I haven’t been able to find any info on them at all or been able to find a value… Best I can tell they were made in the 70s in Korea and are pretty high quality guitar

      2. Guthrie guitar works
        Anonymous

        I was just offered a Guthrie guitar works G100 for $75. Just like you, I can’t find any info on it. Do you think this is too much for the guitar? Its for my 5 year old…
        Any ideas?

        1. No new info, after all these years?LOL
          Patsy

          My mother paid more than that in 1977.LOL. I came to visit this site, once more, to see if any new info had been found out. As I stated, these many years ago, the music store owner stated that some(from the Gibson factory) had come out with this. Gibson had stopped making their acoustics, at that time. This is amazing that there is no real information out there. I wonder how many were made.LOL. Maybe the name “Guthrie” was not allowed, due to the famous Woody Guthrie and there were legal issues…….who knows. This is just a mystery, and I only know what the music store owner told me. He was an upstanding fellow. Will we ever know?LOL. Meanwhile, I saw a guitar with Guthrie on it, and it did not “match” mine.LOL. It stated it was a 1975, by which that may be the difference. Hope will spring eternal that some one can also verify what I was told about who was making “Guthrie” The whole internet, and very few out there? Why did they cease….

          1. Gutherie guitar
            John Anderson

            My parents bought me a Gutherie Guitar Works 6string in 1975. Served me well for decades as a “playing for myself” instrument. In recent years, I’ve gotten into professional music and I’ve realized this is a very, very good guitar. I’ve got friends with vintage Martins who say this is just as good. I wish I could learn its history. Who the hell made this wonderful instrument?

      3. hey I've got a Guthrie too
        Anonymous

        hey I’ve got a Guthrie too but keep vomit up empty handed. if anyone gets any info at all please let me know…email is [email protected]…thanks and wish some people would post pics of theirs somewhere id love to compare…anybody down…much love…

    1. Re: Norman Wood . Sennen, Cornwall, UK
      Alan e Wood

      Hello The late norman wood who made guitars in his workshop and kitchen is my great uncle, i’m interested in purchasing one of his guitars off someone, if your interested in selling one of his guitars please contact me.. thanks a wood. ([email protected])

    2. Re: Norman Wood . Sennen, Cornwall, UK
      Mark Nicholson

      I have a Norman Wood nylon string acoustic, dated July 1971, number 6. Does anyone know the value of this please? Photograph can be proivided if required.
      regards.

    3. Re: Norman Wood . Sennen, Cornwall, UK
      Steve Prestwich

      I was on a walking holiday with 3 friends around 1977 and came across
      the same sign. We went in and Norman talked to us about his guitars.
      It’s odd that they have labels – he showed us pictures of more
      well-known guitars and said that their labels ruined the acoustics.

      He also showed us a table football (bar football, foosball) he’d made,
      and said he was the inventor but had never bothered to patent it. He
      was quite a character, and we couldn’t decide whether he was an expert
      or a lunatic! It’s nice to find out that he was for real.

    4. Re: Norman Wood . Sennen, Cornwall, UK
      Roger Coates

      I met Norman in 1977 and emigrated from Manchester to work with him in 1978. I admired his engineering skills and his tenacity for perfection. He engineered his wood to half a thousandth of an inch, and I saw him create a fretboard that would resist 180 lbs tension (normal strings) without a neck or trussrod to support it. He called it his "bridge of sighs". He had made 400 guitars by this time and he had 400 orders, so he needed help. Sadly, he was such a perfectionist that he never let me touch anything, and I left (on good terms) after 1 month. The world should know that Norman invented "Table Football" and retired to Sennen to play his mandoloin when a "big company" bought him out. But his desire for invention caused him to challenge the mainstream guitar builders when he could not find a "good" guitar in London, on which to pursue his new hobby. And so, started the legend, He was a great man; always in his workshop from dawn til dusk. My work for him included driving his car (to stop it seizing up), painting new signs about "the greatest guitar maker in the world", doing the garden, and watching. We often talked late at night and I shall always value his theoretical teaching. I hope somebody somewhere can follow in his footsteps. The answers lie in the UK Patent Office, because he protected all of his inventions – every step of the way.
      I am glad that I knew him, but I never got my guitar – he was too busy !!

      1. i have enjoyed reading the
        Anonymous

        i have enjoyed reading the comments regarding norman wood (snr) while at the same time chatting on skype to my good friend norman wood (jnr) well not so jnr he had his 55 birthday yesterday.
        but it was interesting listening to norman talking about his dad and reading the comments here, i told him he should post on here and maybe he will, he did tell me a couple fo things which may be of interest.
        he said he thought his farther only made around 500 guitars, and regarding the football table ( foozball ) 2 things one he didnt patent that, and thats why he lost out and the idea taken over world wide, and also the real reason why he gave them up when he first started with those tables in manchester public houses, but its not for me to say what he said.
        if norman posts then maybe he will tell you himself.
        i have only known norman about 4 years now and he is a good friend, i wish i had met his father i think i would have liked him too.

        1. Norman
          Anonymous

          I visited Norman one day in 1977 but can’t remember exactly where his house was, any ideas.
          I remember it was close to Sennen but not exactly

          Regards
          AD

        1. Norman Wood Group
          R.Antenbrink

          Wel the storys start to match , i was with Norman in 79 and he regarded it as a challenge to compleet a guitar in a week. The result is visible at my site http://www.gitaro.nl.Because of the memories about that period , i like to sell the guitar to somebody that understands the unique instrument and if anyone is interested to make an offer you,re welcome , anyway enjoy the pictures.

          1. Re: Norman Wood Group
            norman wood

            belive it or not, i am the son of my late father,who passed away in 1997. i have many memories,and scrapbooks,of my fathers achivements, i,ve come across web sights of my father,that i did not belived existed,but how nice it is to see,that he left behind,some great guitars,and pictures for all too see, i still live in cornwall in penzance.. but alas not at the same address,as were the guitars where made
            i don’t even own one myself. feel free to get in contact when ever……….

            1. What Happened
              AD

              Hi
              I’m still wondering when your dad moved the house opposite the church at Sennen
              Also what happened to the contents of the shed.
              Did you or do you make guitars yourself for a living ?
              It’s a pity he moved as that was an amazing house it must have been great to grow up there.

              Regards
              AD

            2. Hi Norman
              I used to visit him every year when we stayed at Skewjack
              I’m just looking at info’ about your dad and just wondered what happened to all the stuff from his shed.
              When did you leave the house over the road from the church ?
              Did you ever think of making guitars for a living ?
              Hope you’re well

              Regards
              AD

            3. Re: Norman Wood Group
              ruby thornton

              Hi my name is Ruby Thornton and I have one of your dads guitars I found it in the bin in Australia and I got it restored I didnt know that it was worth or the history of it or who Norman Wood was I would love send you photos of it and may be you can tell me more about it. I carted this broken guitar around with me for 6 years befor I got it restored I paid $500 AU AND Icant play guitar but I fell in love with this guitar.
              Wot a buzz your dads guitars made it all around the world.

              It would be great if you can tell me about your dad and when he started making guitars my one that I have is a 12 string guitar and its sticker inside says it was made in 1974 and it was number 3 it has carved steps in the back of it and everyone that sees it say they have never seen one like is ever

              so can you plse get in touch with me and I can email you some photos

              THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
              ruby thornton, Australia

              1. Re: Norman Wood Group
                David LL. Greening

                : Hi my name is Ruby Thornton and I have one of your dads guitars I found it in the bin in Australia and I got it restored I didnt know that it was worth or the history of it or who Norman Wood was I would love send you photos of it and may be you can tell me more about it. I carted this broken guitar around with me for 6 years befor I got it restored I paid $500 AU AND Icant play guitar but I fell in love with this guitar.
                : Wot a buzz your dads guitars made it all around the world.

                : It would be great if you can tell me about your dad and when he started making guitars my one that I have is a 12 string guitar and its sticker inside says it was made in 1974 and it was number 3 it has carved steps in the back of it and everyone that sees it say they have never seen one like is ever

                : so can you plse get in touch with me and I can email you some photos

                : THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
                : ruby thornton, Australia

                Hi Ruby,

                I was just whiling my time on the internet, and say your input.
                I am also in Oz, (West Australia), and own a Norman Wood Guitar, which at the time of manufacture was and I quote Norman, "the most expensive guitar he had made".

                It is number 27, and completed in 1975.

                It took 5 months to make, and the ‘re-inforced’ case came from Scotland.

                Please contact me, as I would love to see some pictures etc.
                Ciau,
                David LG Wed. 13th May 2009.

            4. Re: Norman Wood Group
              ruby thornton

              Hi my name is Ruby Thornton and I have one of your dads guitars I found it in the bin in Australia and I got it restored I didnt know that it was worth or the history of it or who Norman Wood was I would love send you photos of it and may be you can tell me more about it. I carted this broken guitar around with me for 6 years befor I got it restored I paid $500 AU AND Icant play guitar but I fell in love with this guitar.
              Wot a buzz your dads guitars made it all around the world.

              It would be great if you can tell me about your dad and when he stared making guitars my one that I have is a 12 string guitar and its sticker inside says it was made in 1974 and it was number 3 it has carved steps in the back of it and everyone that sees it say they have never seen one like is ever

              so can you plse get in touch with me and I can email you som photos

              THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
              ruby thornton, Australia

              1. norman wood guitar
                Dave

                Hi Ruby
                I’m also a Norman Wood owner; bought it in January 1974, and still play it daily. Mine is No 3 (I believe he started a new ‘run ‘of numbers for 12 string guitars, hence there are two number 3’s) I think it was in replying to my original posting , that Nigel decided to set up a web page.

                Anyway, lI recently found an old 1978 copy of ‘Guitar,THE magazine for all guitarists’, which wehen printed, was then priced 0.40p ( but now as a collectible £12 !!).

                There is a four page interview/article, in which Norman refers to just having shipped a guitar top a lady in Australia. i’ve no idea how many he sent, to where, but as I think most were 6 sttring, there is a good chance that one is yours?
                Cheers Dave

            5. Re: Norman Wood Group
              Ruby Thornton

              Hi My name is Ruby Thornton from Queensland Australia and afew years back I found this Guitar in the bin I fell in love with it and carted it around with me for years and when I finally had the money I restored it it cost me $500 to do it and Ive been trying to find things out about it Its a 12 string Norman Wood guitar and its carved like steps in the back of it and it was dated June 1974 and is number 3 can you tell me if he made very many of these or anything I would love to know please I can send you photos of it it beautiful

              Thanks for your time

            6. Re: Norman Wood Group
              Ruby Thornton

              Hi My name is Ruby Thornton from Queensland Australia and afew years back I found this Guitar in the bin I fell in love with it and carted it around with me for years and when I finally hade the money I restored it it cost me $500 to do it and Ive been trying to find things out about it Its a 12 string Norman Wood guitar and its cared like steps in the back of it and it was dated June 1974 and is number three can you tell me if he made very many of these or anything I would love to know please I can send you photos of it

              Thanks for your time

            7. Re: Norman Wood Group
              Pauline Hurst (nee Johnson)

              :I believe your father to be my mothers cousin her maiden name was Sylvia Wood she had a sister Beatrice and parents Johnathan Percy (always called Percy)and Emily Davies. We always lived in Manchester but moved to Polperro 3yrs ago my mother lives in a Resthome nearby. I am attempting a family tree and would love any family history you could fill me in on. My mother has told me of Norman, Ernest and Frank.
              Kind Regards Pauline

              1. Family tree Wood
                Joan Lavender

                Hello Pauline, my name is formerly Joan Wood and my father was Norman Wood who made the guitars. I moved to the US in 1955 from M/CR UK and have resided here these past 57 years. I have a married son who’s father in law recently did some research into family tree, he could not get too far into the Wood side but if you wish to contact me I do have some memories that may be of help. I do remember my great uncle Percy visiting when we lived in Levenshulme. I also would love any info in respect to the family tree. I recently found my cousin Sheila who is the daughter of uncle Leonard. I had an aunt Eva who was married to Thomas Heaton ( think i spelled it correctly ) and wondered if I had any family out there related to them. I was hoping to get some more info into my gran Woods side, the Exleys.
                my regards to you
                joan Lavender Dec 5th 2012

              2. Re: Norman Wood Group
                norman wood

                : :I believe your father to be my mothers cousin her maiden name was Sylvia Wood she had a sister Beatrice and parents Johnathan Percy (always called Percy)and Emily Davies. We always lived in Manchester but moved to Polperro 3yrs ago my mother lives in a Resthome nearby. I am attempting a family tree and would love any family history you could fill me in on. My mother has told me of Norman, Ernest and Frank.
                : Kind Regards Pauline

                hi.. i am norman wood jnr..son of the late norman wood.(dad) just seen this post..16.4.10..my father passed away in 1997 and my mother in 1999..i live in penzance cornwall..not too far away,married to yvonne and two kids heather,and connor…work for a waste company…and was born in sandbach cheshire in 1956…hope this is a start…cu soon.

    5. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Dave Shuttleworth
      Dave Shuttleworth

      I have a hand-made guitar, made by ( the late) Norman Wood, of Sennen, Cornwall, near Landsend. Does anybody know if these items are attracting decent offers yet ?. The spec was hatched between Norn & I in his kitchen some 25 years ago. The wood is afromosia and the serial number is No 3

      1. 1969 Norman Wood "Five Star' Guitar
        Malcolm Johns

        Whilst on touring Cornwall in August 1969 with my wife and friends we were going to Lands End when we passed a house called ‘Sunset View’ in Sennen.
        There was a sign outside advertising hand made guitars. So on our return we called in and met Norman Wood (nice chap).
        He was part way through making an accoustic double cutaway guitar that I fell in love with. So much so that I agreed to pay for it there and then (two weeks wages!) and Norman would send it by courier when finished.
        This meant that we had to cut short our holiday!! (I don’t think my wife has ever forgiven me, but all three of us are still together after 50 years.)
        However, at the age of 73, arthritis in my left hand has forced me to stop playing.

        Therefor I’m offering the guitar for sale!

        Norman did tell me what wood it is made from but I’d never heard of it. All I remember is that it was an African hardwood that looks similar to mahogany – Sapele perhaps.
        The fingerboard is plastic-like material called ‘Ebonite’ which Norman said, quite rightly, would never wear out.
        It has 15 frets to body and a slotted peg head.
        The blue on white label reads: – ‘Five Star Guitars. Made in England’ and ‘Made specially for M. Johns’. It has a hand written date ‘Sept. 5th 1969’ and has signature ‘N Wood”.
        If anyone interested, or would like a photo., please let me know before I list it on Ebay.

        1. Norman Wood guitar
          June

          Hello there,

          Would you still have the Norman Wood Guitar for sale? I would be interested if you have. Please email me at the above address. Many thanks. Genuinely sorry you now have difficulty playing.

          1. Norman Wood
            Anonymous

            I have a nice example of Normans Guitar.
            Needs nothing doing and play really well.
            Contact me on icejoycey AT hotmail.co.uk if interested.
            Regards
            Dave

      2. Wood family member
        Nicholas Lavender

        Hi,
        My name is Nicholas Lavender and my grandmother is Joan Lavender (Norman wood’s daughter). Norman wood was my great grandfather and I have been trying to get ahold of one of his guitars for a very long time now. If anyone has one they are looking to part with please let me know. This would mean a lot to my family (mainly my Father) if I could get one of his guitars.
        Thank you,
        Nicholas

      3. Norman Wood Guitars - Frets
        Anthony Harland

        I met Norman Wood while on holiday with friends in Cornwall in 1972. I can remember most vividly how enthusiastic he was about his new ‘frets’. He’d invented a new type of fret which he thought would be an amazing success but sadly I’ve never heard anything more about it. His idea was to drill a fine hole across the fretboard where the fret was to be positioned, which just broke through the wood ( a tricky operation I would have thought) Then to insert the fret , which was a tube, down this hole. Part of the tube would then stick out through the area where the hole broke through, thus forming the fret. Why go to all this trouble ? Now here’s the interesting part. All guitarists in time start to wear down their frets, well on metal strung guitars they do. It was possible to insert a tool ( an allen key perhaps) into the tube and rotate it so a fresh area came to the surface. Voila ! A few minutes work and the guitar is refretted. I suspect the idea might have been fine for a skilled guitar maker but would have been difficult to implement in any large manufacturing company.

      4. Norman Wood guitars
        Tony Coxon

        I am from Cornwall. In 1972 I was playing electric guitar in a band there, but experimenting with fingerstyle rags, blues etc. A friend, Martin Zimber, and I went to see Norman in Sennen and he made us both a guitar – well it took a few months I guess. I don’t remember Martin’s guitar which is now in Canada. Mine has the special back that Norman I guess was famous for. My son is currently looking after it but I played it today and it still plays well. I can send photos to anyone interested.

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