Music:
Member Since: 12/03/2007
Band Members: I started making instruments almost 30 years ago I set out to make high quality affordable instruments and improving on existing designs.From that first mandolin 30 years ago, to the instruments I am designing and making today I have stayed with my principles, namely quality materials and workmanship, with a fresh approach to design, sometimes radical, inspired by contemporary luthiers such as Steve Klein and others. Over the years I have made many types of instruments – harps, banjos, electric guitars, but recently I have begun to concentrate again on mandolins, resonator, acoustic and solid electric. The latest acoustic mandolins are more radical with a bright clear balanced tone and are designed to sound right acoustically and through the built-in pickup system. I have recently made a wooden bodied resonator mandolin, which is not only louder but with a sweet tone also.STRUMMERS. A Strummer is a kind of dulcimer but held for playing like a guitar. The use of open tunings makes the sound distinctive and LOUD. These instruments can be easier to play than many fretted instruments – so a great starter instrument for beginners. However they are also being played by very accomplished players such as Sean Lakeman, the strummer being the featured instrument on the ‘Band of Gold’ track on the award winning Seth Lakeman CD ‘Freedom Fields’.Tom Bliss, superb songwriter and musician, who plays solo, performs with Tom Napper and with Piper’s Sons, is also using a Strummer for live performances and recording(Island Stories). See his myspace videos, including his story of the beginning of the Strummer or Scullion dulcimer as he prefers and playing "HERM".Steve Jackson, a talented singer songwriter from Lincoln, who performs solo and with ‘Ploughman’s Bunch’ now, has two Strummers and a solid electric ukulele made by myself.Many other fine players are currently performing with Scullion Strummers and other Scullion instruments.Many of the instruments used on the four tunes featured on the site are Scullion instruments and the tunes are my own recent compositions, played mainly by myself and accompanied by Steve Hindley.
Influences: Everything I have seen and heard,but include Bothy Band, Chieftans, Planxty, Battlefield band, Martin Simpson, Dave Grisman, Simon Mayor, many blues players. LIKES- Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Jerry Douglas, Mary Black, Beatles, Eva Cassidy, Kelly Joe Phelps, Christy Moore,
Record Label: most have