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Chris George Guitars

DON’T FALL BACKWARDS DOWN THE STAIRS IF YOU’RE A GUITAR BUILDER!!!
The 11th October last year was a night I won’t forget. That was the night when I fell down the stairs from the top to the bottom - backwards! I was admitted to Lincoln Hospital, where I was told I had a chest infection and had dislocated something in my right shoulder. The following day I was transferred to the High Dependency Unit at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, as a full CT scan has revealed multiple fractures. It seems I fractured 9 ribs in total, 7 on the front and 2 at the back, 2 fractures of my pelvis, also fractures of the clavicle, the scapula,  two vertebra, a couple of bones in one hand and there were a few others, which I didn't recognise. 

I don’t remember much of the next two months. I remained at Queen’s for nearly 3 weeks in the High Dependency Unit and then the Trauma Unit. At the end of October, I had made sufficient progress to be transferred back to Lincoln again.
I started getting physiotherapy to build up strength in my legs and also in my left arm which has nerve damage from the fall.  After 10 days in Lincoln, I was transferred to a Community Hospital in Gainsborough to a rehabilitation ward. This was for a four week period to help prepare me for going home. I received some physiotherapy and with support had begun to walk short distances. By mid November I managed my first steps unaided - not many but it was a start.

I was really hoping that I would be home for Christmas but it was not to be. 
We were told we needed to get support in the home arranged, as well as some physical changes around the house first, so just before Christmas I was transferred to a Lincoln Care Home to an “active recovery bed” which is where I was to get help in preparing for coming home in January. Unfortunately after only an hour there, I had two falls and an ambulance was called to take me to A+E for a check up. Whilst there, it was decided to admit me to a ward to try and establish why I kept falling. 
Christmas came and went ….

After 10 days, in 4 different wards,  I was transferred to a nursing home for a 4 week period for Transitional Care. This meant I was supposed to receive physiotherapy and occupational therapy to prepare me for coming home but this was rather limited. However I continued to make progress with walking, using a frame to support me. I was gradually getting a little stronger and steadier.
By the time I cames home at the end of January, it had been three months since my fall and my muscles were weak but I was determined to work hard to walk further and hopefully without mobility aids eventually.

So fast forward four months… and I’m still working hard on my mobility. After being turned down for physiotherapy support through the NHS, I have been attending hydrotherapy session which I pay for. My wife drives me to the “Marshlands” in Norfolk once a week for an hour’s one to one session with a physiotherapist who specialises in hydrotherapy. It is demanding ( especially for a non-swimmer) and challenging but worth every penny. 
I also have one to one physiotherapy sessions fortnightly at home which are with the same therapist. He has helped me rebuild my confidence and I feel that I am making real progress with my walking - albeit slower than I would really like.
I can now walk round the house and garden without any human help and I can walk a couple of hundred yards with my four wheeled walker. 

I would like to say a big thanks to all my friends and customers who have sent various messages, cards, emails or who have telephoned or visited. In particular amongst my customers, I would like to mention Keith B., Michael R., Dave C., Dave B., Steve M., John C. and especially Colin Nicols for his many cards. The messages from all of you and others not named have really cheered me and helped me.
I also want to send apologies to John Le Voi for directing requests to him from customers for guitar repairs. He is one of the best guitar builders I have known.

Finally can I offer a word of advice to anyone reading this - Don’t fall downstairs if you’re a guitar builder - it’s not recommended. 

As for me I’m going to see if I can continue as a guitar builder by undertaking some repair work on one of my own guitars. Failing that I’m on the lookout for a job as a racing car driver or working on a steam train on the footplate.

Please note I will not be taking on any builds or repair work until further notice – Watch this space for any updates.

NEWS FROM CHRIS

It is with regret that Chris has decided to retire from the world of guitar building.
He is still taking on a very, very limited amount of repair work but his intention now is to spend more time with his partner and their dogs and take life at a less stressful pace.
He has had sixty years of crafting beautiful guitars and it has been challenging work but work that has given Chris tremendous satisfaction.
Thank you to all his loyal customers.

Take nearly 40 years of guitar playing experience, add in that same amount of time repairing and building guitars, flavour with a dash of modern technology and bake gently with a lifelong passion.

That is the Chris George recipe for creating unique custom instruments.

When Guitarist Magazine in the UK awards its coveted 5 star "Guitarist Choice" you know this is something special. When that same magazine features the builder again under its "Best Gear First" byline then there can be no doubt - this is the premier level of guitar design and construction.

Chris George Guitars are special.

If now is the time to create the guitar you have always wanted then embark on that journey with a master builder - and realise your dream.

Chris was shortlisted for the 2013 'Best Acoustic Guitar of the Year' MIA award. The only independent maker to be represented.