The hunt for 'that" guitar, a combination of great tone and beauty is part of many guitar players life. My search started due to circumstances many would not like to trade for. Following a head injury some years ago I lost all recollection and ability how to play guitar. For any player who can imagine this situation, it came as a huge blow. Having to re learn to play I found that my hearing became
more acute and I picked up finer details that I had not before. I became very aware of the huge variation and inconsistency in relation to tone and also build quality of electric and acoustic guitars available. My search, which started some twenty years ago has taken me throughout Europe and the United States of America and ended in the south of the United States. I met John Allison of Allison guitars when he had been recomended to me for finishing work on a few Collings electric guitars that I had found on my travels. At this point Collings had become for me the benchmark for quality Electrics. John a former employee of Collings is responsible for some of the most coveted instruments produced by the Austin based company, designs and burst finishes that are truly stunning. Having established his own company in Austin, John soon became recognised by the music community as a builder of note. His guitars are in the hands of a number of well known artists and are in demand from retailers known for their discernement in choosing what are outstanding instruments. On a first hand visit to his shop, I was able to see and hear at first hand what these guitars were. This was the point when I new this was the builder of the best acoustic guitars I had ever found. The pairing of tone woods, the attention to detail and build quality of a true hand made guitar is all so visible in each one of the guitars that I have had the opportunity to see, hear and play. I purchased my first guitar from John and took it back to the uk where I found that every player I knew who picked up and played it were truly amazed at what I had found. With every subsequent confirmation of what I had discovered the idea grew to the idea to import Allison guitars to Europe.
