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Time.Patience.Respect.

These three words are at the heart of everything I do. I bring these qualities to every single job, because your guitar is important to you and deserves uncompromising care. Whether it’s a standard refresh, a precision setup, or a custom job, I make sure your instrument gets the absolute attention it needs to return to your hands in the best shape of its life.

Heritage.Passion.Legacy

To me, heritage is personal. My own connection to the guitar is rooted in an instrument passed down to me by my mum. That history shapes how I view every guitar that enters my workshop.

Whether it’s a £30 beginner instrument or a £5,000 vintage Les Paul, it carries a story and a legacy. Every guitar is treated with the exact same level of uncompromising care and traditional craftsmanship.

When your instrument is on my workbench, it is treated with the same reverence as one of my own guitars.

I know these instruments inside and out—from dependable everyday workhorses to treasured best friends. My passion is driven by an obsession with unlocking their absolute best, ensuring the perfect action, tone, and technical precision so they feel exactly how they were meant to play.

We aren't just adjusting hardware; we are building a legacy. A guitar that has been meticulously set up or carefully restored is ready for its next chapter, and who knows what incredible musical journey that might entail. It might be the gig of your life or, just as importantly, playing "Row Your Boat" for your granddaughter because she loves a sing. My work ensures your instrument is structurally sound, resilient, and prepared to be passed down through generations to come.

How it works

01
Intake

Fill out our digital intake form to give me the exact details on your guitar's history, current issues, and your specific goals for tone, action, and playability.

02
Evaluation

Drop off your instrument at the workshop or one of our Wiltshire circuits for a thorough, hands-on bench assessment. You'll receive a transparent technical report and a firm, guaranteed quote before any work begins.

03
Workshop

Your instrument undergoes precision professional servicing—from a simple restring to set-ups and structural repairs—using time-honoured lutherie techniques.

04
Handover

Collect your instrument. We’ll walk you through the work done, ensuring it feels exactly how you envisioned before you take it home.

Services

All of our services come with a free guitar health check.

Strat bench.HEIC

Custom

Cleaning.HEIC

Set-Up

03

Pickup instalations, damage repair, etc. If you know what you want and need to talk it through with me.

02

New strings, truss rod adjustment, pick up height optimisation, action refinement and full fretboard clean and nourish

01

A fresh set of strings and a fret clean.

Arthur, Head of Workshop Security (and treats)

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Follow Arthurs Bench Checks at Donovan Guitar Works

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