I became aware of Tony Morison’s guitars last year (2023), upon my first phone call with Tony it was clear that we shared some guitaristic ideals, and I was fascinated to learn about the intricacy and complexity of guitar building.

Shortly after our first chat, I was fortunate enough to try a couple of Tony’s guitars. In recent years I have been incredibly fortunate to have played and indeed performed on some top notch guitars, but the response I got from Tony’s guitars were unlike anything I’d experienced before. It is with immense pride that I now get to own one of these beauties, each time I pick it up to practice it is an absolute treat, and it is a blessing to share this with an audience.

The European Moon Spruce top/ Honduran Rosewood back & sides Tony Morison guitar I have, has an immensely musical timbre, with easy access from sultry tasto through to metallico,  paired with a quick and even response in all playing positions, and a wide dynamic range, the guitar is gorgeous. Aesthetically Tony’s craftsmanship is fine, I knew this when I first saw his work, but as time goes by and during string changes/maintenance I continue to admire his fine touch.

The Tony Morison guitar has enabled me to develop my craft much further than previously possible, with it’s beautiful tonal palette, it’s wide dynamic range, and the wisdoms of musicality that I’ve learned from the instrument, I can deliver my ideals in performance situations.

Braden Southee – Classical Guitarist, Dunedin NZ    August 2024

www.bradensouthee.com

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“What I desired most in my choice of a concert-grade guitar was the retention of tonal quality and a sound that could colourfully fill a concert hall. Tony Morison’s No. 49 Guitar, with a beautiful Macassar Ebony back and its lattice bracing, delivered exactly that. The guitar’s ability to deliver an impeccable tonal colour while sustaining a loud sound has significantly boosted my musicality, preparing me for my final year at the University of New South Wales and enriching the tone for the Sydney Guitar Collective (nearly half of the Collective members own a Tony Morison guitar at the time of writing). There is an ease to playing this guitar due to its low string action and the smaller 640mm scale, perfectly suited to my small hand size. This, accompanied by the beautifully rich tone especially in the higher positions, made me fall in love with it instantly. My love for this instrument only grew the more I used and understood it.”

Jonathan Alejandro Moran – Tutor : Sydney Guitar School  July 2024

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“The balance between a warm yet projecting tone and a punch to its sound is what you get with a Tony Morison. Focusing on clarity and warmth of a Spanish guitar, which allows for a singing melody while delivering the projection of a lattice bracing, enabling the sound to travel and sustain further and wider are two unique qualities of a Tony Morison Guitar. The balance between these two qualities provides a solid foundation to any musician. Leading up to my first year of Studying at the University of New South Wales, I sought after a Concert model guitar and after trying many different makers, I played a Tony Morison and had an instant connection with his guitar. Tony Morison Guitars are truly beautiful instruments which evoke new discoveries of musical possibilities.”

Manuel Diewald – December 2017     www.manueldiewald.com

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“Having recently graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, I was looking for a high-level concert guitar, however, I was torn as to whether to pursue lattice-braced guitars or those of the more traditional make. I have always loved the “singing” quality of the trebles of traditional guitars, but the projection, particularly in the bass, of lattice-braced instruments. When I first tried a number of Tony’s guitars, it became evident that these two qualities that I loved so much were combined wonderfully, and extremely well balanced. It was this that first drew me to his guitars, and it soon became clear that I had found what I was looking for.

I believe that Tony’s experience as a player is an invaluable asset to his lutherie, as it means he is able to consider his instruments from the perspective of both a performer and a luthier. This was particularly useful for somebody like myself whose knowledge of guitar construction is very limited. Despite the barrier of my knowledge, we were always on the same page and any doubts I may have had about the process were quickly put at ease.

For these reasons, I couldn’t be happier with the instrument that Tony has built for me. The end result is something that I am confident will serve me extremely well for a number of years of my professional career. I am a very proud owner of one of Tony’s guitars.”

Ben Secrett – January 2016

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After playing one of my guitars during my 2012 visit to Los Angeles, Vasil Chekardzhikov of Triada Trio kindly offered the following comment;

” The guitar has a very fresh beautiful and light sound, that is very responsive to the emotion of the player. Designed with great precision and love this instrument would serve well in the hands of any concert guitar artist at an international level” – Vasil Chekardzhikov

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After purchasing one of my guitars James Newbold provided the following testimonial;

“Out of the many guitars I had played and considered, Tony Morison’s guitar was the finest of all. Before I touched it the exotic timbers were already appealing. Once I started playing however, it became evident that the timbers were chosen based on their quality of sound. Each note is crisp, and chords sound clean, but with depth. The guitar has amazing projection as well, and a depth in sound that I am still exploring, I often find new directions I can go with the instrument, opening up and expanding my playing. It is not always that a guitarist is so satisfied with their new instrument that they would be proud to own it forever.”

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Rob McMullan of Sydney Classical Guitars said of my latest guitar (March 2013);