World famous guitarist David Knopfle adds his support to Exeter based crowdfunder building ethical repurposed guitars
Love guitars? Love Planet Earth? Then the Crowdfunder recently launched by Devon-based Life Guitars Co is for you! With a strong vision and set of ethical values, the team at Life Guitars are on a mission to take over the guitar world, one high-quality used repurposed guitar at a time. And world-famous guitarist David Knopfler, one of the founding members of legendary rock band Dire Straits, is officially on board!
Established in July 2020 amidst the start of a global pandemic, award-winning Life Guitars Co burst onto the UK independent retail scene with a vision to breathe new life into old and used guitars, amps and effects pedals.
Since then, they have quickly established themselves as a popular and trusted guitar shop and have consistently grown, despite the bleak economic backdrop which they’ve operated in.
With a strong ethical and environmental backbone, their small but beautifully formed guitar store in Devon repairs, restores and upcycles second-hand guitars, amps and pedals. And they do everything within their power to use or save every part of every piece of gear that comes into their shop, to reduce wastage and decrease the environmental impact of used equipment being discarded by previous owners.
And the end result? A store which has become a treasure-trove full of beautiful, high-quality used guitars, amps and pedals which are as close to new as physically possible (sometimes even better than new in the case of our guitars, given that wood ages and improves over time).
Dan Frye, co-founder of Life Guitars Co, commented, “Despite the many challenges that have come with starting a business in pandemic conditions, we’ve built a loyal community of customers and creatives. The business has continued to grow and thrive since day one, and we’ve expanded our premises and team to keep up with this growth.”
He continued, “It hasn’t all been plain sailing though! As different lockdowns have come and gone, we’ve had to be agile and responsive to the various trading scenarios we have found ourselves in. Apparently, fortune favours the brave and we are testing that theory to the max!”
An exciting future
However, this is just the start and Life Guitars Co are now ready for their next ‘gear-change moment’ as they move forward into their exciting future.
So, they are inviting you to join their community by supporting the next chapter of their story – the launch of their first ever range of LG Repurposed Guitars.
Staying true to their ethics and vision, they are excited to announce that they are starting to assemble re-purposed guitars, made out of the highest quality parts from used donor guitars.
These are painstakingly assembled, painted, tested, setup and quality-assured, resulting in what looks and feels like a brand-new guitar, but without costing the earth (both literally and metaphorically!).
Joff Alexander-Frye, Co-founder of Life Guitars added, “Something we’re passionate about is that there are no factories, assembly lines or added pollution in sight - just great guitars, assembled with love by a team of dedicated and passionate guitar lovers based here in the heart of Devon.”
The initial Crowdfunder goal is to build the first 50 of these repurposed guitars, with a stretch target to assemble an additional 50 if possible. So, the Life Guitars team need your support to buy some machinery/tools, invest in parts and also to pay for the additional man hours required to make this dream happen.
LG Repurposed Guitars will be available in Standard and Deluxe models and in a range of colours named after the daughters of co-owners Dan and Joff (Darcie Pearl, Autumn Green, Bea Blue and Saffy Pink). Supporters who order an LG Deluxe can also choose between Rosewood and Maple fretboards and a classic or vintage finish to the paintwork and hardware.
David Knopfler adds his support
Already a fan of Life Guitars Co, David Knopfler was delighted to give his support to the Crowdfunding project and add his name onto the list to become one of the first 100 owners of an LG Repurposed guitar. He commented, “Life Guitars are a great independent, second-hand guitar shop with super friendly owners. A real find”
And Joff added, “We’re absolutely thrilled to have David onboard with our Crowdfunder and can’t wait to build his guitar for him once the fundraising stage of the project is finished. I’ve been a huge Dire Straits fan since I was a young boy so I’m still pinching myself if I’m honest!”
The Life Guitars team know that times are tough economically at the moment so supporters don’t have to break the bank to show their support. Helping to spread the word is a great help in itself and, if people want to donate, they can do so from as little as £1. Then, from as little as £30, supporters can get a variety of perks including tee-shirts, caps, stickers, free attendance to Life Guitars events and discounts off of all purchases in 2023. And, of course, if someone wants one of the guitars themselves, then £300 or £500 funding packages are available (depending on whether funders choose a Standard or Deluxe model).
To find out more about this fantastic project or to joun David in pledging your support, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/lifeguitarsco
