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Welcome
Stall at Helmsley Folk Weekend, October 2011 (photo courtesy Mike Bennett)
Why ‘Small Strings’?
Because we make all kinds of small stringed instruments! Mandolin family (mandolins, mandolas, bouzoukis, citterns), fiddles/violins, guitars, ukuleles... Ideal for folk musicians, but equally suitable for classical and jazz players.
The instruments
Each instrument is unique and hand-crafted from timber that has been carefully selected for its appearance as well as its tonal qualities. We try to let the natural beauty of the wood shine through the instrument! We use high-quality fittings which, like the timber, we attempt to source from the UK where possible.
The combination of the wood, fittings — and, of course, the techniques used in the making and careful workmanship — ensure that the instruments not only look good, but sound fantastic too.
About us
We’re a partnership — Mark and Sue Mawby — based in the Scottish Borders, about 50 miles south of Edinburgh.
Mark does most of the making and Sue does all the other stuff (admin., website, organising trade stalls etc) though she's learning to make instruments too.
Mark made his first instrument — a fiddle — over 25 years ago. Since then he’s built up a wealth of experience by making all types of stringed instrument, mostly for himself, friends and relatives until Small Strings was established in December 2010.
As a musician Mark's first love is the fiddle and he’s especially fond of the traditional fiddle music of Scotland and Ireland. He's also an accomplished guitarist (classical and folk guitar), and can play most stringed instruments!
Sue prefers to dance (she's mad about Morris dancing!), though she enjoys listening to traditional music too and is learning to play the mandolin.
Small Strings website last updated on 12 January 2012.