About us

Planet Guitar was formed in March 2013. Its owner, Jim, has over 20 years guitar playing & gigging experience with a huge passion for music and everything guitar.

After his parents bought him his first electric guitar at the age of 12 Jim knew that it would be more than just a hobby, it would be his life.

From this point Jim literally didn’t put the guitar down. Practicing every day for hours upon end, music became a real passion.

After one day hearing the intro to Purple Haze, lead guitar grabbed his attention and focus and became something he had to do.

His skills developed further after forming a band at school, working with other musicians was such a buzz and increased his enjoyment in music.

At 15 Jim left home for 2 months to play lead guitar 6 nights a week in a covers band based in the Charente Maritime area of South West France.

It was certainly a turning point in his musical career, playing 6 nights a week, being the lead guitar player in an established band and touring around a small area of France... All this and still only a teenager!!!

From the age of 16 Jim not only began to gig extensively but also became Saturday boy at Wing Music and spent the first 10 years of his working life learning his trade from his mentor  and close friend Barry Mitchell, working everyday with guitars developed his knowledge

dramatically.

It was only a short while until Jimi became store manager and under the watchful eye of electronics engineer John Burleigh, Jim was taught how to repair and modify guitars.

Following the closure of Wing Music Jim was hired by Eric Lindsey music as guitar sales assistant. After a couple of years Jim was promoted to guitar tech and manager of Eric Lindsey music Reigate.

His time in this role furthered not only his skills as a guitar tech but also introduced him to the world of guitar tuition. Impressed with his guitar playing skills and general knowledge of the instrument, Jim was hired by Reigate Academy of Music as an additional guitar teacher.

Guitar teaching became extremely rewarding to Jim (very quickly) and with lots of positive feedback from his students he decided that alongside playing, repairing and enjoying guitar that teaching would also be a major priority in his career. 

Jim has taught hundreds of students and is the only person in the world to have taught a guitar lesson on The London Eye for Yamaha Music on Make Music Day. He also holds an impressive 100% student pass rate for RGT grade exams.

Sadly, Jim was forced to stop teaching due to shoulder and tendon issues and has recently closed the tuition side of the business down.

Now soley focussing on repairs and modifications, Jim has advanced his guitar career even further with the addition of guitar making. After completion of his first solid body electric guitar, customers were so impressed with the quality, feel and sound of the instrument that he has been commisioned to make several guitars.

Being a fan of vintage instruments, Jim combines classic designs, styles and mojo into his own line of guitars. All feature nitrocellulose finishes, his own handmade pickups and carefully selected tonewood and hardware.  

Under the umbrella of Planet Guitar, Milizzy Custom Guitar Co was founded in 2022. (Milizzy being a combination of both of his daughter's names). 

This is a very exciting chapter in Jim and Planet Guitar's history. Stay tuned for more exciting developments!