Posted on October 1, 2026October 26, 2026 by Dale Phillips Meet the Makers: David and Rob Rodgers Meet the Makers: David and Rob Rodgers by Cyndy Burton with Jeffrey R. Elliott¸ Originally published in American Lutherie #109, 2012 About thirty-five years ago, a very successful design engineer discovered that the best tuners found on classical guitars did not work very well. He had previously designed and made large equipment like precision grinding machines and saws for cutting metal joists. While still working at his day job, he experimented in his home workshop and figured out how to make precision tuning machines that not only work very well, but are beautiful. In May of 2010, Jeff Elliott and I met David Rodgers and his wife/partner Muriel in the Leicester train station (about 75 miles north of London), where they greeted us like old friends, though we knew each other only through our business correspondence. (Full disclosure: Yes, we’ve been Rodgers’ customers for over thirty years.) They drove us to their home in nearby Kirby Muxloe, where we spent a delightful few days in their home and shop, and visited as well with their son and business partner Rob in his shop just across the road. After sitting down with our requisite tea, we began our conversation. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of the Articles Online featured on our website for Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. For details, visit the membership page. MEMBERS: login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on June 23, 2025June 23, 2025 by Dale Phillips In Memoriam: David Rodgers In Memoriam: David Rodgers by Jeffrey R. Elliott October 14, 1933 – November 28, 2024 Originally published in American Lutherie #154, 2025 Photo by Cyndy Burton. When I met Julian Bream in 1975, I was also introduced to his wonderful 1973 José Romanillos guitar which sported one of the first sets of Rodgers tuners ever made. I immediately recognized their superior quality and elegant aesthetic — they looked to me more like exceptionally beautiful and functional jewelry than tuning machines. David Rodgers had just established a new standard of quality in tuning machines, which remains unsurpassed today. He recognized that a set of tuners must not only perform well, but was also integral to the guitar’s aesthetic, and should complement it. In 2010, my partner, Cyndy Burton, and I spent three days as guests of David and his wife, Muriel, in their home/workshop near Kirby Muxloe, England. David and Muriel were most welcoming and gracious hosts, and during that time Cyndy and I interviewed them for an in-depth “Meet the Maker” article, which appeared in AL#109, Spring 2012. While there we also met their likewise very talented son, Rob, and his wife, Sue, who soon afterward immigrated to Nova Scotia, Canada, where they continue the family business today. Rodgers tuners have graced the heads of our guitars ever since I saw that first set on Bream’s Romanillos, and we became friends with David and Muriel early on. Since our 2010 visit, Rob and Sue have joined our circle, but, sadly, Muriel passed away in 2020. David was a true gentleman, and a brilliant, talented engineer/inventor with a ready sense of humor, and we will miss him dearly. ◆
