Richard Howell is an English-born Australian classical guitar maker who works alone in a small workshop in Mornington, Victoria. Inspired above all by Ignacio Fleta, he is, in our opinion, the best traditional guitar maker in Australia – and he was the very first luthier GSI represented in the USA, when we opened our doors in 1983.
Richard Howell at a Glance
- Workshop: Mornington, Victoria, Australia
- Born: Surrey, England
- First guitar: 1966
- Moved to Australia: 1972
- Influences: Ignacio Fleta above all, also Hauser and Hernández y Aguado
- Models: Fleta, Torres, Cut Away, Panormo and Santos Hernández
- Label: "Richard Howell – Luthier – Victoria Australia", with year and number
From Surrey to Australia
Richard was born in Surrey, England. His father was a musical director in London who handled major stage shows, so Richard grew up surrounded by first-rate musicians. He fell in love with the guitar as a child, got his first one at around ten years old, and made his first guitar in 1966.
In 1972 he moved to Australia, where he began making guitars seriously after meeting Jason Waldron, owner of the Adelaide Spanish Guitar Centre – his first guitars were student models built for Jason. He has worked alone ever since, mainly with traditional hand tools and finishes, in a small workshop behind his house in Mornington, Victoria.
In the Tradition of Ignacio Fleta
Richard learned his craft by studying the great makers – Hauser, Hernández y Aguado and, above all, Ignacio Fleta – and through years of experimentation. His guitars are very inspired by Fleta, both in internal construction and in exterior detailing, usually with Fleta's 9 fans and double harmonic bars above and below the soundhole. Yet after years of comparing them to the original Fletas we've had, one can see that he has clearly established his own style and characteristics. Besides his Fleta model he has made Torres, Panormo and Santos Hernández models, and a cutaway.
The Richard Howell Sound and Finish
Richard's guitars have great volume, like a Fleta, but a darker voice that sounds more cello-like, with very rich, textured overtones – we have often said a Howell is the best guitar in the world to play the Bach cello suites. They are a pleasure to play, and a wonderful complement to the brighter, spruce-top guitars from Germany and England. Using almost no power tools, Richard produces one of the most beautiful finishes in the world: warm and lustrous, and very similar to Fleta's violin-style varnish.
Richard Howell Guitars at GSI
Richard was the very first luthier GSI took on for US representation when we opened our doors in 1983, and we have a longstanding fondness for his instruments. Many Richard Howell guitars have passed through our doors over the past 40 years. You'll find earlier examples in our Museum by clicking the "Guitars In Museum" button in the header of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Richard Howell build his guitars?
In a small workshop behind his house in Mornington, Victoria, Australia, where he works alone.
Is Richard Howell Australian?
He was born in Surrey, England, and moved to Australia in 1972, where he has built guitars ever since.
What are Richard Howell guitars like?
Fleta-inspired guitars with great volume and a dark, cello-like voice, finished by hand with a warm, lustrous varnish-like finish.
What is Richard Howell's connection to GSI?
He was the first luthier GSI represented in the USA, when GSI opened in 1983.
