I had been away working and had not seen my gear in months... I saw a shipping box and didn't know what it was... then it hit me...

"OH, maybe it's that 12 string from Patrick!!" I opened the case and totally freaked!

That guitar is gorgeous! Unbelievable.. I'm rehearsing Maggie May and You Wear it Well for a few gigs I have with Rod next week... how perfect!

Thanks a million, man... gorgeous. I can't wait to hear it thru the Neve live Pre amp...

much love!

Brian"

"I have played many great guitars over the course of my career. Some of my favorites were purchased when I was a teenager before I really knew I'd keep working as a guitarist, producer and writer for all these years. Most guitars I'm speaking of would be hard to afford these days!

There is one, actually two which I played on the last 2 tours with Paul that deserve special mention along with my oldest classics. These were made with the same care and attention to detail and finish as the best of the best.

These two were made by hand, by one Mr. Patrick James Eggle. I wouldn't play them if they didn't belong. Patrick's guitars belong.... and that's that. "

www.brianray.com

“I'd been aware of Patrick for quite a while.  I told the guys what I liked in an acoustic; a smaller, concert, OM sized guitar.  They made me one and it's turned out really nice.  I'm using the guitar in the studio – Hogan's Heroes are working on a new album for 2008 and I'm using it for that.  

www.albertlee.co.uk
www.albertleeandhogansheroes.com

"I never used to be a dedicated guitar player in my old band – I had my old acoustic, nothing special.  Since going solo, I've been a lot more focused on my instrument of choice.  When the cloud of having my old guitar stolen was silver-lined by getting a guitar from Patrick, I was really getting my hands on my own top-class guitar for the first time.

One of my main concerns is to have a full sound.  To that end I get frustrated with a lot of acoustic guitars. The first thing I noticed about Patrick's guitar was that it sounded huge from the word go.  There's an awesomely rich, bassy bottom end to its sound that gives it a weight I haven't really heard in an acoustic before.  Of course, the top end is perfectly zingy as well. The pickup does a great job of publicizing all this, and it has certainly made my sound-guy happy!   

The action of the guitar is something I discussed with Patrick while he was building it, and he got it just right for me – while I like a low action, I don't like it too low, I like to feel like I'm putting a little effort into finding my notes. 

The leaf design on the fretboard looks awesome and the wood of the binding around the edge of the body is taken from an English Walnut tree which grew in the village where I grew up.  It's a small touch, but it pretty much pushes me over the edge from being blown away by this guitar to being willing to defend it with my life! 

Basically, this instrument makes me feel like I've reached a new level of professionalism and it does the most important thing an instrument should do: it better enables and inspires me to make and perform my music. "

www.frank-turner.com

With my 60th birthday coming up, i decided I wished for just one present from all my family and friends; a very specialPJE guitar. Patrick was duly commissioned with the challenging brief. "Make me the best guitar you have ever made."

He did.

When I opened the case on the morning of my birthday I was simply overwhelmed by the beauty of the guitar and the fact that this was a pure masterpiece given into my custodianship for the rest of my life. Patrick had chosen a number of different tonewoods each of magical quality in their own right, but when combined into this piece of guitar art the effect was breathtaking. Brazilian Rosewood with blonde sapwood and dark oysters of heartwood make up the back and sides. The top is high grade bearclaw Sitka Spruce. AAAAA grade Hawaiian Koa is used for the headplate, whole fingerboard, heelcap, body binding, end piece and bridge. The rosette is spalted maple. The purfling is Paua Heart Abalone and the falling maple leaves inlays are also Paua Heart Abalone with Gold Mother of Pearl highlights. Patricks logo is inlaid into the headplate in Gold Mother of Pearl.

The sound of this wonderful unique guitar is supremely well balanced with rich resonant bass, warm mids and trebles which chime like church bells in summer air. It is simply perfect

It is often said that life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments which take your breath away. Seeing and touching this Patrick James Eggle guitar was just such a moment. Thank you Patrick, and your small team, for all your skill, enthusiasm and love."

www.davidcrozierguitars.com

There is simply no point in taking a guitar into a recording studio unless it can deliver the goods. My Saluda produces a beautiful tone which somehow seems to combine warmth with a crystal-like clarity. It is particularly rewarding when playing fingerstyle, but is versatile enough to cover many of the styles that might be thrown at me in the course of a working week.

In the last few days I've used it to record the soundtrack for “27 Dresses” – a soon to be released Hollywood movie with music written and arranged by Randy Edelman at Abbey Road Studios. The Saluda sailed through with flying colours. The intonation is spot-on and the playability is superb. The fact that it happens to be a beautiful instrument visually is merely a bonus. It's obvious that Patrick is a gifted luthier.

This is the first guitar that I've ever been prepared to endorse – it would be pointless to do so if I didn't have faith in its abilities. After all is said and done, when the red light goes on all you have to offer is your experience and the instrument you're holding! No pressure then … "

"After one of those chance meetings that seem to happen when I'm on tour, I got to see and play some of Patrick James Eggle's truly outstanding acoustic guitars.

Later on the same tour I got the opportunity to meet up with Pat himself and talk guitars, guitars and guitars!

Now, after a series of transatlantic phone calls and e-mails, the result is one really fine sounding guitar. It has a very warm and even tone, and the craftsmanship is simply outstanding.

When I'm at gigs now people regularly comment on the great sound and beauty of this guitar and I'm able to tell the story of its creation."

www.bobbycochran.com

"When I laid hands on my Patrick James Eggle Linville guitar, the first thing that came to mind was - what beautiful looking guitar! Then I started playing it.....need I say more? Such a well built and great sounding acoustic guitar - I can now understand how such things can become an obsession! Evidently you can see the care, attention and love that has gone into making this guitar. I was fortunate enough to have a tour of the factory too - again Patrick doesn't do things by half - attention to detail is a real strength, which is reflected in the consistency of the guitars built. I’ve played numerous models - all are great sounding acoustics. Another sign of quality is when I set out to play my Linville for a quick 5 mins, which then turns into hours of play. Anyway, thanks for building such a great guitar. I can see me buying another (different model maybe) in the future...Let the collection begin!! Keep music live!! Joe Seager  

"I have recently aquired your Linville model S/N - 040915, and I just wanted to tell you what a superb guitar it is. I have been a professional songwriter for over 40 years and have owned many other guitars including a 1928 Martin 000-42 and a 1967 Martin D-28, and this little jewel is their equal! To say I am happy would be a gross understatement. Thank you for your artistry and your dedication to excellence as evidenced by this instrument! "

I just wanted to drop a line, and thank y'all for this amazing guitar. (Linville Custom Yew/German spruce top). The guitar is everything I'd hoped for...and so much more. Lately I've been using it for recording, and the sounds coming out of it never cease too amaze me. Control of dynamics/volume/string to string definition can be executed with the slightest touch. With this guitar, there's no hard work trying to express string to string melody while finger picking. There's such definition that I sometimes wonder if it's too much! Then I hear the playback, and I'm just blown away!!!

I'm so glad, Patrick, that you went with me on the "Yew wood" choice. I wanted something unique in tone, and this guitar delivers that in spades. It might not be every pickers cup of tea, but after years of playing/listening/recording with "mahogany/maple/Brazilian/Indian rosewood" this guitar is such a breath of fresh air. Very live, very powerful, yet...very delicate. (Thanks too Andy Manson, for the idea of Yew wood).

In closing, I'd like too add that over the years I might have played, or owned a better guitar; but right now, playing this one...I can't remember when. SOOO SWEET!!!!

"I've just bought your new (likely the second production model 09-01-02) Kanuga 12 model from GuitarGuitar in Edinburgh.

This is the finest acoustic guitar I have ever laid hands on in 46 years of playing, having started on a 3 quid bastard and worked my way up through Gibson, Martin and Collings (plus the odd Yamaha and Ovation)!

After all these years of toil and trouble, I emerged with a fantasy guitar that was comprised of:

• Gibson J45 body shape (sunburst of course)
• Pyramid Bridge
• 12 fret slot head
• Sound that reflected the best of Gibson and Martin

You deserve all the commercial success with this model. I'll be posting pics and praise up to the UMGF over the weekend.

I've spent the past week auditioning a Martin 000-40s Mark Knopfler and a Gibson 1942 J45 Legend and getting more and more confused. Walked into GuitarGuitar this morning (returning Gibby) and was directed to the Kanuga 12. It was almost like you had heard my ranting and frustration.

The Etowah Brazilian was a revelation but this is a league beyond that. You have no idea how happy I am with this beautiful guitar."

"I just wanted to write and thank you for building the best guitar I've ever played! I was previously the proud owner of a Santa Cruz Dreadnought, which I'd been playing for only a month when I happened upon a friend's Saluda and was - to understate hugely - interested in trying out a few more of your models... So I popped along to Guitar Junction in Worthing earlier today (armed with my Santa Cruz ) and explained my predicament. I did mention the Saluda, but was told that I might want to try a particular Linville out, having been given fair warning that once I had played it I would instantly be converted and have to buy it!  Too true as it turned out.

I was after an OM shape, as it would better suit my playing style - mostly fingerpicked, with occasional light strumming. I played the Linville back to back with a couple of Santa Cruz OMs and a fair few Martins including a particularly fantastic 000-28 Norman Blake model. No comparison, it blew them all away! It's got killer tone already, and it's not even a month old... this is going to open up into something beyond belief!

So anyway, the Santa Cruz was swiftly part-ex'd, and I'm now the incorrigibly happy owner of the Linville. The only downside to this whole situation is that I won't be seeing daylight for the forseeable future, 'cos I can't stop playing the infernal thing...

Thank you again."

" I've had the Etowah cutaway for about three weeks now, and I want to tell you how happy I am with it. I couldn't be any happier, in fact. The guitar just sings to me.  It's loud, articulate, focused, and sound-wise, nicely balanced.  Part of that must be the Adirondack top, but I suspect it's mostly the builder.  If it sounds this nice already, I can only imagine what it will be like in a few years!

The quality of materials and construction is fantastic. I've never seen, let alone played, any better.
Everything is exactly what I was looking for when I ordered it. By the way, I never much cared for the look of bound fingerboards, so thanks again for rebinding mine in ebony. I like it a lot.  Also, I'm finding that my thick fingers appreciate the extra bit of width on the nut that you gave me.

Everyone who has seen, played or heard this guitar has been greatly, greatly impressed.

Anyway, thanks for putting up with my incessant emails over the last months.  I hope things are going well for you across the pond and that business is good.

Thanks again"

"Oh my God....it is beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. It survived the trip just fine. The colors are amazing, and that backstrip, WOW. It is also so light, light as a feather. Many thanks. When you get a chance let me know of any unusual wood you have. You know me, it's what I like."

"I have an amazing OM cutaway that Patrick made this spring (2005). It has beautiful Brazilian rosewood back and side set with a European spruce top. In my opinion there are four ways to judge a guitar - looks, tone, playability, and price. As far as looks are concerned, my guitar is a Grace Kelly. This is one of the things that separate Patrick from his competition. He has a wonderful aesthetic and an uncanny sense for choosing the right combinations. Tonally, it is clear as a bell. It helps to start with the right materials, but that alone does not always guarantee success.

Patrick's years of experience in the electric realm have certainly made their imprint on my guitar's playability. It really does have the sweetest neck, with great action and perfectly dressed frets. And as far as price is concerned, I'm thrilled to have one of Patrick's guitars, a custom instrument is such a huge step above what's available commercially, I feel like it's a bargain! My search is over, now I concentrate on my music! "

“… my beautiful new “Linville” guitar which I took possession of yesterday.  I chose it after auditioning numerous top end guitars by other makers, many at a considerably higher price point.  I must say that for me, yours was head and shoulders above the rest, not just for tone and playability but also for finish, materials and appearance.

I also got a very warm welcome and good advice from Steve Noon and staff at Eagle Music, Huddersfield, where I bought the guitar. 

I look forward to many years of happy finger-picking…”

"I recently purchased one of your Skyland guitars, and would just like to confirm with you the materials used in its construction for my own benefit. I have been so pleased with my purchase and just can't put the guitar down although I would appreciate your opinion on what strings you would recommend. Many thanks for your time and your craftsmanship in producing a masterpiece."

"I am completely blown away by these guitars! The Maple Leaf may not get sold! Do you have more Brazilian Rosewood like this stuff? If so, we need to plan on building some more of the Maple leaf guitars. You have just taken my breath away. Sorry, but I need to go play these babies some before they go find another home...maybe not the Maple leaf though! "

"I love Patrick's guitars. I have a high-end handmade acoustic guitar shop and they are always going to be in my shop as long as he builds them. My customers demand perfection. This is not really possible when working with wood and other items that have imperfections, but somehow, Patrick turns wood into perfect art, music and just pure joy. It is a pleasure to play his guitars and a pleasure watching others as they play and listen to them. I get the wonderful opportunity to work with Patrick on a lot of instruments and one of the things I notice is that each one is something special to Patrick. He has a passion and love for his work and it shows in the detail. It is like he builds each guitar as if it were his last. That is something special."

"This past Christmas I received a most wonderful surprise gift. It was a custom guitar, but not just any guitar. Mr. Patrick Eggle and his assistants at his shop in North Carolina made this one. Now it must be made clear from the beginning that I am a very novice student of this instrument and hardly knowledgeable enough about them even in a general sense to pass judgment on the quality of it’s construction or to offer an opinion on the way it sounds when played.

Upon opening the very sturdy and protective case in which it arrived, it was immediately apparent even to me that this is an instrument of very high value above and beyond it’s meaning as a personal gift. I decided that meeting Mr. Eggle and seeing his shop would be the thing to do since it was located just 4 hours drive from my home and I wanted a greater appreciation of what went into it’s production. On a Friday afternoon this spring my wife and I were warmly welcomed into Patrick’s’ home and offered afternoon tea. We were then given a personal tour of the shop, allowed to ask questions and shown guitars in various stages of completion. I do have enough carpentry and woodworking experience to appreciate the remarkable craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into Mr. Eggle’s work. After meeting Patrick and his family and seeing first hand what is involved in making a guitar, we left with a personal bond with him, his family and the instrument that now resides in my home and on which I hope to become much more proficient.

Mr. Eggle has since returned to his native England to resume production of his fine instruments there and it is my sincere hope that this testimonial will convey to the reader my highest regards of his work and his commitment to building high quality guitars."

"I recently purchased a James Eggle 'Saluda' with a Brazilian Rosewood body.With its solid base and crisp tone It's perfect for the country blues of players like Gary Davis and Mance Lipscom. It sounds great and looks beautiful. I couldn't be happier with it. John Gowdy, "

"I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying my new Patrick James Eggle OM guitar, which I recently purchased from Acoustic Axis, in Alexandria, Virginia.
I have been looking for some time for a smaller-body guitar to complement my Collings CJ (also from Acoustic Axis), and have tried Collings, Goodall, Bourgeois, Martin, Larrivee, Taylor, and other Concert and OM-style guitars, but I am overjoyed with finding this guitar. The more I play it, the more I enjoy it, and feel as if I have found a soulmate for the music I enjoy playing."

"I've probably played the Eggle a minimum of 15 hours since we e-mailed about it -- and every time I pick it up, I like it more and more. I actually think the sound has changed -- though it sounded great to begin with. It really has some strong overtones and harmonics and resonance. And the more I play it -- the string spacing isn't an issue. It really plays wonderfully, and is very comfortable to hold, with it's maximum depth of 4 inches. Patrick did a great job building that -- aesthetically and musically -- it's a terrific sounding guitar, the neck couldn't feel better, and match of the rosewood, the spruce and the koa bindings are stunning -- it's quite a piece of art. Patrick is quite a luthier."

"I have played guitar for over 55 years. I own and play 4 different types of guitar. When Bob Leibner at Colts Neck Custom Shop first showed me the Saluda C model I was very impressed with the construction details compared to the other custom guitars I had been looking at and trying out for 6 months.

I fell over when I heard the rich bass sound and the projection of the Saluda compared to some Dreadnought models I was considering. The tone is very even throughout the entire fingerboard and it plays very easily. The overall effect is really a "10" I couldn't be happier with this new 6 string guitar!

I visited Patrick in North Carolina back in may 2005 and saw first hand his quality materials and the craftsmanship that go into each custom guitar. As a result a 12 string Saluda C model that he was building for Colts Neck Custom Shop drew my interest and when it was delivered I played it and got the urge to own it. The same accolades apply to this Saluda C and now I am the proud owner of two Patrick James Eggle Guitars. Keep up the good work Patrick. "