My Background Story

Owner, Robert Hinchliffe of HiGuitarsUK taking a photo of a newly completed instrument

I live with my wife in the beautiful village of Pateley Bridge, Harrogate - the heart of the stunning Yorkshire Dales, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

We love this area for its wide variety of walks, including the Nidderdale Way, stunning views and the tight-knit farming community.

When not making instruments, I enjoy playing the guitar and piano, cycling with my sons, walking our dog, listening to rock, blues and folk music, and songwriting.

I’m always open to a bit of music trivia, especially from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, and particularly from those I’ve met who were there and involved at the time. More recently, I’ve been known to create music in a very wide range of styles, including the odd dance-like track on my iPad.

Pateley Bridge High Street

I began my journey in music as a keyboard player in several bands while studying for my degree. I soon found my passion for stringed instruments.

In the mid-1980s, I built my first stringed instrument—an electric mandolin—as part of my degree at York, sparking a love for creating and playing.

From the late '80s to the late '90s, I hand-built high-end, individually commissioned electric guitars in the Leeds-Bradford area, laying the groundwork for a lifelong pursuit in instrument making.

In 2005, I opened the 4-Guitars shop in Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire, later renaming it HiGuitarsUK as custom instrument making became the main focus. Since 2009, I’ve been designing and creating various electric instruments, including ukuleles, guitars, bass guitars, bouzoukis, stick dulcimers, luxury cigar box guitars, and small acoustic instruments.

Over the years, I’ve also provided repair services for professional and amateur musicians.

Due to the growing demand for custom builds, I shifted to a new business model in early 2024, closing the shop and focusing on direct orders from the UK, Europe, North America, and beyond via my online shop. A new display area is planned for soon.

As a trained product designer, I am prolific. I’m inspired by the beautiful English countryside and quality vintage instruments, always with a modern twist.

stringed-instrument-outdoors-with-Yorkshire-cows.JPG

As a welcome surprise, some customers have revealed that their instruments are in part, used as displayed artwork on feature walls of their homes or in recording studios! This is something that I hadn’t anticipated back in 2009.

Finally, I like to feel that the instruments I create, will continue to be attractive and inspiring to their users and potentially for many future generations.

Thanks for your continued support of my work - it’s always appreciated.