For over forty years Ben Maddock has given both recitals in and taught classical guitar. After initially studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he then went on to study under Phil Read in New Zealand, Antonio Lasada in Australia and also Alirio Diaz.
After giving a recital at the Sydney Opera House on its opening in 1973, he returned to the UK where he tutored in guitar at Bath College of Higher Education. During this period he harboured interests in both sailing and joinery, which resulted in a period studying boat construction in Cornwall.
During a trip to Canada, where he gave a recital for the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, he met Geza Burghardt, a Hungarian guitar maker who suggested combining skills and making an instrument.
After moving to Wales in 1996, he made his first guitar at very little expense from local sycamore and western red cedar with much help and advice from the New Zealand Luthier Rod Capper.
The general consensus from many players was that this instrument had a beautiful tone, good sustain and a strong bass. This, coupled with a general insistence to make more, led to much experimentation with different timbers and strutting design, resulting in instruments with exceptional sustain, balance and warmth.
