KNIGHT GUITARS

Luthier Dick Knight (1907-1996) was a well respected British guitar maker, and examples of his work were collected worldwide. Knight (born Stanley Charles Knight) specialized in archtop guitar construction, notably the Imperial model. While Knight began building his first guitars in the 1930s, he became more prominent in the 1970s (and 1980s), and featured such clients as Dave Gilmour, Paul McCartney, Pete Townshend, and Mike Rutherford (among others).
During Knight's formative years in the 1930s he worked for Lagonda, the motor vehicle manufacturer, whilst working here Dick lost the tips of his fingers so he was unable to play guitar. After work, Knight would construct wood items at home, he turned to making instruments as a hobby, and his own business grew from there.
At the end WWII Knight met Ben and Lew Davis (the owners of Selmers music shop in London), as well as Joe Van Straten (Selmers' shop manager). While supplementing his income with instrument repair, Van Straten suggested the two work on producing a quality English archtop. When finances would not permit the business to carry on, Selmers asked Knight to produce some guitars.
Later, when Dick's wife became ill, he left his work at Selmers and professional guitar making for seventeen years. During this time period, he did produce a number of instruments under the "Knight" logo. Some of his earliest models do not have a name on the headstock. In addition to his archtop models, Knight produced flattop acoustic, solidbody Les Paul-type guitars most noted a four pickup guitar for David Brock, Hawkwind. All Knights instruments were produced with the same high degree of quality.
When Dick Knight retired due to ill health, his son-in-law, Gordon Wells who had been working closely with Dick since 1965, continued the business and is still producing instruments. His instruments include 335-style guitars as well as his own small bodied semi-acoustic the Arena as used by Andy fair-weather-Lowe. In 1990, Gordon Wells was joined by his youngest son Robert (Dick's grandson) and still works with him today. New instruments and styles are introduced along the way, so the legacy continues. For more information, visit Knight Guitars' website or contact them directly.