After
leaving the London School of Furniture in 1995 Alister Atkin
headed back to Canterbury to start building acoustic guitars
full time. With an invitation from Canterbury based Archtop
maker Andy Crockett, Alister moved into his workshop. During
the following years Alister worked hard on producing a range
of acoustic guitars and searched for players to indorse
the Atkin brand. In 1998 whilst visiting Shamus Brady at
the Acoustic Centre in Wapping, Alister came across his
first Collings Guitar. " At that point I saw a build
quality I thought wasn't possible. I had to go home and
rethink the direction I was heading in."
After a period
of re-design, research and development, Alister launched
a range of six acoustic guitars, influenced by classic vintage
styles and incorporating contemporary construction techniques.
In 1999 singer songwriter Boo Hewerdine placed an order
for a standard OM model while writing with Chrysalis stable
mate Andy Mitchell, already an Atkin player. From then on
the list of high profile players began to take shape. Throughout
this time Atkin Guitars continued to receive top reviews
in the music press, including a 5 star buyers Choice award
from Guitarist Magazine and a Guitar Magazine award in 2003.
In 2005 the 'Lakesview' workshop was purchased, and by late
2006 Atkin Guitars had moved into the new 2000 square foot
facility.
Now for the
first time ever Atkin Guitars are available in the shops.
The Range of six guitars are available in Standard and Deluxe
models, offering players a good opportunity to find an nstrument
that suits them.
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