Raymond Burley

Raymond Burley is one of Britain's most experienced classical guitarists having performed solo concerts, concertos, on film scores, radio, and television and in virtually every possible guitar ensemble combination.

THE SANTOS MARTINEZ 'RAYMOND BURLEY' SIGNATURE GUITAR  IS NOW AVAILABLE

The Santos Martinez 'Raymond Burley' signature guitar is now available and can be ordered through most high street music shops. However, the main stockist at present is the Ivor Mairants Musicentre, 56 Rathbone Place (located just off Oxford St.) London, W1T 1JT - telephone: 0702 636 1481. Further information can be found on the shop's website: www.ivormairants.co.uk

Raymond Burley says: The guitar is based on an instrument made for me in 1985 by the English maker Martin Fleeson; unfortunately Martin died the following year. After acquiring the instrument I played it continuously for more than 20 years. I would rate it as probably the most versatile guitar I've ever owned. I used it on 16 CDs. Over the years it has been re-fretted twice by Christopher Dean and re-polished once by Roger Williams. Unfortunately it suffered small splits in the front and back during concert tours in severe US and Canadian winters. The guitar was retired a few years ago. It's an instrument I would never sell - it served me well and is of great sentimental value.

The Santos Martinez version of the guitar is fantastic, the attention to detail is remarkable and the quality of the chosen woods is superb. The neck shape is itentical to the original guitar and is therefore beautifully comfortable to play. The volume level and sustain are both excellent and, of course, these will only improve further with continued playing. The purchase price of £649.00, which includes a plush hard case, is an absolute bargain.

I will eventually be posting some clips of me playing the guitar on YouTube.

I congratulate Dennis Drumm, Paul Smith and the rest of the team at JHS for their expertise and enthusiasm.

Click the PDF icon at the bottom of this page for more information.

Below is a batch of photographs of the guitar and case: