I’m Andy, though most in the music world know me as Ozzy. My journey with guitars began over 30 years ago, sparked by a childhood fascination with how they looked, sounded, and the endless possibilities of manipulating those sounds. What started as “messing about with his stuff” (my brother’s guitar, initially) quickly evolved into a lifelong passion for understanding, modifying, and ultimately mastering these instruments. A natural tinkerer, I soon had my own guitar in pieces, exploring its interchangeable parts and their impact on sound, style, and playability. This hands-on curiosity culminated in me building my first electric guitar for a school project at 16.
My professional path as a guitar technician truly took off with 65daysofstatic – a baptism by fire that honed my problem-solving skills under pressure. Their “cavalier attitude” towards gear meant I was always fixing something, ensuring “the gig WILL happen, no matter what.” That critical festival moment where a crucial pedal literally fell apart just before set time, fixed in 10 minutes, perfectly encapsulates my approach: be ready for anything. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of acclaimed artists, including LCD Soundsystem, Mogwai, Franz Ferdinand, and Wild Beasts, touring globally from small pubs to major arenas.
Through all the travel, the challenging backlines, and the unforgettable rock-and-roll moments, my core philosophy remains constant: a personal, bespoke approach. I listen intently to the artist, making their “tonal nirvana” my primary goal. I don’t believe in a single “right” way, whether it’s pedal order or string choice; the answer is always “whatever works.” This ensures the work I do feels tailored, not off-the-shelf.
Today, my workshop is based in the beautiful Peak District, where I continue to provide comprehensive guitar maintenance, custom builds, hand made pickups, and delve deeper into my ongoing quest to learn more. I’m always looking for bigger, more interesting projects to tackle, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the guitar world.
Passed clients:
65daysofstatic, Mogwai, Richard Hawley, Anathema, Grizzly Bear, Tom Morello, Rodrigo E Gabriella, Wild Beasts, Texas, Corrosion Of Conformity, The Vaccines, Foals, Natalie Imbruglia, The Cribs, Milburn, Brody Dalle, The Eagles Of Death Metal, Rick Astley, Drenge, Liars, Sunshine Underground, Echo And The Bunnymen, Dirty Pretty Things, Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand, The Jesus And Mary Chain.