John Marlow

I build instruments tailor made to suit the needs of the professional and recording musician, expertly crafted by a Yorkshire-based instrument maker using quality materials. Specialising in stringed instruments and repair.

After leaving school in 1984 I continued to study at Huddersfield Music College on the musical instrument technology course. I left in 1986 with the award for the best work produced on the course.

Then in 1986 I began working with my teacher from Huddersfield, Bill Dinsdale and fellow luthier Allan Ingham and we founded the worker’s co-operative Opus Workshops Ltd.

After leaving Haworth in 1989 I established my own workshops in Dewsbury in the heart of West Yorkshire. I also began teaching the very popular acoustic guitar design and construction course at the local college, which ran from 1989 till 2012.

I now run a busy workshop where I hand craft individual instruments to custom order for musicians throughout the country and across the world. I also have a busy schedule customising and repairing a wide variety of stringed instruments, including carrying out repair work for other makers and dealers in the area. I am also restoration consultant to the world’s largest Early Music Shop in Saltaire, Bradford.

My output is still small scale as I feel that the mass producers are well equipped to fulfil the needs of the budget-instrument buying public. I keep a small stock of instruments available to show people what I can do, and to buy off the peg. However if you want something tailoring to your needs please give me a call, email or write to arrange a visit to my workshops.