Rob Aylward studied Musical Instrument Technology for four years at the London College of Furniture (now Guildhall University) under the tuition of Herbert Schartz and the widely acclaimed classical guitar maker Michael Gee.
He started R J Aylward guitars in 1990 and has steadily built a reputation for high quality handcrafted instruments built to his clients specifications. In 1997 Guitarist magazine reviewed an OM sized guitar saying ” A feast for the eyes and the ears”, ” A call to rob could be the end of the search for the perfect and perfectly affordalble guitar.
Rob has been most noted for his work with the Selmer style guitars and can count Hank Marvin, Robin and Kevin Nolan, John Wheatcroft, Andy Mackenzie and Gary Potter and amongst the well-known musicians he has built instruments for.
All instruments are constructed using hand selected top grade tone woods and the bracing materials are hand split to ensure that the timber has optimum grain orientation.
Custom inlay work is possible, using a selection of shells such as Mother of Pearl, Gold Pearl, Black Pearl, Red and Green Abalone and Paua. Also stones such as Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Coral and Malachite.
For those concerned about the environmental issue in timber usage, instruments can be constructed with this in mind. There are many beautiful timbers available from responsible Forrest management programs..