The History of the Company

Ethos Guitars was an accident looking for somewhere to happen, and then fate stepped in (Fate being a Fortuitous, Amazing, Talent-filled Evening).

Paul Hancox had discovered guitars at the tender age of 10, and even tried playing them on occasions! It was later in his teens that he read a series of articles by Stephen Delft in International Musician and Recording World magazine, that he decided to build his own guitar. It was a copy of a Gibson Flying Vee, and was made from whatever bits of wood he could find around the school woodwork shop. This was followed by years of collecting guitars and taking them to bits to try and improve them, and slowly the art was developed.

It was entirely by chance that after a Brian Kennedy concert in Wolverhampton in May 2004, Paul met American Singer/Songwriter Christene LeDoux (Brian’s support act during his tour). When after the show, Christene mentioned that she was looking for somebody to build her an electric guitar the seed was sown, Ethos guitars was born, and the “Pumpkin” series became a reality.

Paul and wife Linda, the team behind Ethos Guitars, offer a personal and individual service. Our aim is to provide superior hand built guitars, built to customer’s specifications, in a warm and welcoming environment in which the customer can liase with Paul to discuss the specification in more detail and visit the workshop.

Ethos Guitars are based in Redditch Worcestershire.

Previous Projects

This is a 60s/70s Antoria/Guyatone (no label on the guitar) which was
rescued from being thrown away. It came with no scratchplate, but did have
the original pickups although they proved to be beyond repair. Now has new
scratchplate, 2 Strat type pickups, and a new bridge. The fingerboard was
worn and coming away from the neck. This was refinished with abalone inlays
and new frets. The bridge is a combined bridge/tailpiece which is a design
from the 70s.