Aylward Guitars Custom OO Acoustic

This was hand made for me by Rob Aylward. I had a 1967 Martin 0018 which had a lovely tone but was not very loud. I wanted the same sweet sound but with more volume but from the same size guitar . The Aylward is a Solid spruce top, with my own design inlay round the sound hole.The back and sides are umbula, I think thats how you spell it. The body is very slightly deeper than the Martin to give more bass. Fingerboard & bridge, I can't think of the name of the wood, reddy brown quite striking, from the ebony family. Lovely neck, measurements were taken from an old Tanglewood I had. Fantastic headstock, can't begin to describe, with his name Alyward running vertically down like the old Martin name.Binding all the way round except down the fingerboard. Fitted with small gold single gotoh tuners. I also had an Ashworth undersaddle transducer pickup fitted, recommeded by Rob. Comes with hiscox fitted case.

Words can't describe the sweet, beautiful, full bodied mellow sound from this small accoustic. I was not sure if Rob could replicate the Martin sound and make it louder. Well he went one better its much louder than the Martin and I have got to say it the sound is fantastic and if the person offered me my old Martin back and #1000 for this guitar I'd have to say no, even though I could do with the money. I have only had it approx 8 months and the sound just keeps on improving and, Rob, can't believe it I've still got the same strings on it from new. Also miked up through my home studio it just sounds suberb recorded.

Finish, action as low as you want it, everything superb. The only problem he had was getting the undersaddle pickup to balance across all strings, which is a common occurence, which was sorted out.

Nothing going wrong so far, would play this anywhere. Will need fret ends smoothed down soon as wood starts to settle, which Rob will do when needed.

Excellent. Even though he has recently moved his workshop to Scotland always very helpful if I telephone and willing to give advice. He is one of the most genuine people I have met in this business.

I am a semi-pro and have been playing for over 30years mostly electric. I have played or had most electric guitars and have had I can't remember how many amps. With regard to Accoustic's I have probably only ever had half a dozen cheap guitars if that. I decided to get my self a decent guitar,which I did in the Martin OO18. Then I met Rob who fitted an Ashworth pickup to the Martin and we went from there. Before I decided to have one made I tried many other Mfts models incl other Luthiers, all I can say is Aylward are the number one in the UK. Don't take my word for it if you are thinking about a new Accoustic give him a call I guarantee you won't be disappointed and you will leave with change in your pocket from what other top Luthiers handbuilt guitars charge. Any style any type Rob will build it for you. Rob himself was a bit worried he he wouldn't get the exact sound I wanted, so in truth was I, but in all essence he surpassed it and when I can afford it I will have another one made, maybe an Archtop! One last point Rob will tell you it will take approx 6 months to build start to finish, add another three, but believe me its worth the wait.