Having spent a few years working for Andy Manson, Si Smidmore and Andy Petherick formed Brook Guitars, initially to produce the A.B.Manson & Co. standard range of instruments before venturing out on their own. Over the next 25 years they’ve built quite a reputation for themselves, endorsed by artists such as Adrian Legg, John Paul Jones, Adrian Utley and Graham Coxon 

This guitar certainly looks the part. Commissioned initially for a musical project that sadly never came to fruition, this guitar’s design was the centre-piece. The body is based on the company’s Taw shape. Mahogany top, back and sides as well al braces. The vintage white and black binding make this guitar stand out. Never used in anger, its still in excellent condition.

The neck is equally fine. The profile is more modern and slim, again as specified by the customer and is very comfortable. The ebony fretboard is wonderfully adorned with some classy inlays, keeping the realtor feel.  The firebird inspired headstock and Steinberger gearless tuners is certainly unexpected but adds to the look of the instrument. The positioning of the tuners means that the strings are only ever pulled in a straight line. As with the body there is no sign of any damage here either.

Plastics and hardware are in great shape. The bridge is from Bigsby.

Pickups were wound by Peter Biltoft of Vintage Vibe. Neck is Alnico II with the bridge being Alnico V for something a little hotter.

The guitar comes with a hiscox hardshell case.

Sonically this guitar certainly has a vintage feel to the tone. Acoustically there is a brightness and spank that complemtns the warmth which the pickups do an excellent job of translating to the amplifier. The neck is very comfortable and its a joy to play.

A true one off, this is an exceptional instrument made by one of the UK’s finest builders. If you're looking for something a little different with a vintage vibe then look no further.