The Strat

The guitar as an instrument has been around for a long time in the well-known figure-eight guitar body shape, complete with a sound hole on the flat top, a neck of at least 12 frets, and a method of tuning the six gut strings to a standard tuning sequence. The country most identified with this instrument is Spain, where it featured in Flamenco music. Later, after the classical period, when music became classed as Romantic — and influenced by folk traditions, the guitar, as well as the folk Spanish flavours were embraced by composers for orchestrated and chamber works.

Musical instruments always evolve and change, and

Barbed Wire

Barbed Wire changed the world — forever. It’s commonplace to the point of virtual invisibility to all but criminals – yet who gives it a thought? Oddly enough, it has not been around for all that long, under 150 years in fact, but is truly a classic design, and the fascinating story reflects changes in society of all kinds.