A REVERENCE for fine timber has drawn former East Coast furniture makers Matt Pavey and Steve White to a new creative calling.
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While they may still be working with exotic woods, Mr White said he had been singing sweetly since launching their PW Guitars brand.
Celery top and Huon pine, blackwood, sassafras and black wattle creations were drawing attention for the emerging St Helens business at Deloraine StringFest Tasmania festival earlier this month.
"Matt and I were furniture makers for more than 30 years in St Helens," Mr White said.
"We used to joke that we'd start making guitars, we thought they might be a bit lighter on the back and shoulders."
After leaving to work on a charter boat in the Coral Sea, Mr White said he returned to find a stringed surprise from his crafty mate.
"He made a guitar - that was it, we were hooked," he said.
The business has since seen players such as Tommy Emmanuel select PW Guitars instruments for performances over some of Australia's biggest brands.
"People look after them, you know?" Mr White said.
"You can make a beautiful table and it'll just sit in the hallway, in six months time people will just walk in and throw their wallet and keys on it.
"Guitars are something that people will look after with reverence, they'll appreciate them."
The business not only gathered new interest from musicians and fellow luthiers, but also secured a partnership with an exhibiting tonewood supplier at the festival.Mr White said the success of the business had been assisted by Break O'Day Business Enterprise Centre manager Nick Crawford.