hey, I'm dave
Founder of Ancoats Guitars. After 20 years of playing, modding, and obsessing over guitars, I built my first one in 2015 and never looked back.
I've always loved guitars — not just playing them, but taking them apart, figuring out how they work, and finding ways to make them better. In 2015, after 20 years of playing, modding, and experimenting, I finally built my first guitar. It was rough, full of mistakes, but something clicked — I knew straight away that I couldn't stop. That scrappy first build still sits in the workshop as a reminder of how far things have come.
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Design Your Own Ancoats Guitar
We're really excited to introduce the Ancoats Online Guitar Builder—your one-stop tool for designing your dream Ancoats guitar exactly how you want it. From body shapes and woods to colours, pickups, hardware, scale lengths, bridges, and beyond, we've packed in every conceivable option so you can fine-tune every detail.
Ancoats Guitars, your way—from first click to first chord.
Get going
The lineup
Explore the range
The Nq
Named after Manchester's Northern Quarter—an area close to my heart—the NQ is a postmodern twist on the offset guitar. It's angular, bold, and full of character, drawing inspiration from some of the weirder corners of guitar history—think 1960s Italian oddities and quirky catalogue classics.
Shop the NQ
The New Islington
The New Islington was the guitar that started it all. As the first original design to carry the Ancoats name, it laid the foundation for everything that followed. With a body shape inspired by vintage LP-style guitars and bold, art deco—inspired pickguard designs, it pays tribute to the golden era of guitar design while carving out its own unmistakable identity.
Shop The New Islington
The Granada
The Granada takes its name from Manchester's iconic Granada Television and channels the timeless workhorse spirit of the Telecaster—but with a twist. It's familiar, but with refined curves, modern comfort, and a little more bite.
Shop The GranadaTestimonials
“I had the pleasure of working with Dave on two separate instruments, both entirely custom pieces that have quickly become my favorite guitars by far.”
“Dave is a master craftsman indeed. His guitars are beautiful, they look and sound great. I opted for the Ancoats Guitars take on a Telecaster, the Granada. It was exactly to my spec with some slight deviations from a usual tele layout such as selector switch on the top horn and a kill switch. Also a beautiful bespoke purple bust finish on the swamp ash body. I'm a very happy customer. The price was great too... don't procrastinate, get your order in!”
“David made my dream guitar happen. Easiest recommendation to date!”
“Great guitar maker, I ordered a custom built New Islington model in 2024, love it, great value for money, it's my no:1. Highly recommend, support the UK builders”
“The guitar is every bit amazing as I thought it would be. All told, this is one of the best guitars I’ve played and it is now part of my family. I will never part with it”
“My favourite neck in decades of playing! Perfect carve and fretwork. The workmanship is amazing. In addition to being amazingly cool to look at, it also plays like a dream”
“I’m writing to say how thrilled I am with my new guitar, which arrived safely today. I think the design is superb, the craftsmanship is terrific and every one of the sounds is just great”
“I’ve had a lot of guitars since I started playing at 13 and this probably my favourite guitar neck. Super comfortable and fits my hand perfectly. The guitar sounds really good. Great pickups. Thanks for making such a well crafted instrument”
“I’ve got to say the guitar is absolutely superb. The neck is my favourite of all the guitars I own. The semi hollow body is beautifully resonant and the fit and finish are top class”
“The NQ arrived today safe and sound. Unbelievable guitar. Love it. It looks beautiful, feels amazing and sounds incredible”
“Honestly mate, the tone is unreal! So much versatility and character in it man, and so so easy to play”
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