Against the Grain: An Instrument Maker's Journey

Against the Grain is the autobiography of the classical musical instrument maker Paul Fischer. He trained under renowned instrument maker Robert Goble in his workshops at Headington in Oxfordshire before spending 6 years in the British Army, after which in 1969 he began working with David Rubio making instruments for world-famous musicians including Julian Bream. In addition to guitars, they made harpsichords, spinets, lutes, citterns and instruments for the Early Music instrument revival scene. Paul established his own workshops in the late 1970s and continued to make beautiful instruments for the next forty years. He has made an invaluable contribution to the world of instrument makers promoting the use of new woods as the rainforests of Brazil continue to deplete. His autobiography celebrates his art and his supreme talent.