Pulling On The Country's Heart Strings

No one knows a stringed instrument quite like Roger Buckmaster. For 60 years, strings have been his profession, from crafting violins to selling handcrafted banjos through a shop in Nashville. Now retired, Roger has been pulling on the heartstrings of the community by freely restoring cherished stringed instruments for those in need.

Now 81, Roger has spent a lifetime making and repairing violins, banjos and guitars. Trained in London, and originally from Loughborough, Roger has travelled across Australia helping schools, orchestras and musicians keep their instruments alive and well.

"I used to service all the orchestras and many schools. I had 200 schools on my books at one stage," he said. "We just went everywhere."

From Alice Springs to the Whitsundays, Roger’s generosity has struck a chord. His custom guitars and violins have been displayed in the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, and one of his banjos even lives in a museum in Oklahoma.

"I must have donated them two dozen instruments from different makers... mainly from Australia, right back into the 20s and 30s."

While many have admired his work, one famous fan stands out.

"Rod Stewart wanted to buy one of my guitars and his manager said to me, name your price. But I said I hadn’t got one. It had already been sent to the Powerhouse Museum."

Currently travelling between Bowen, Burdekin, and Airlie Beach, Roger continues to offer his expertise to anyone in need, simply out of goodwill.

"Everyone knows where to find me. I can meet them at different places... they can always contact me."

From museum collections to helping out locals with beloved instruments, Roger’s kindness is music to the community’s ears.

If you need a stringed instrument serviced, Roger is available over the next month and is kindly happy to help. You can reach him directly on 0419 549 841.

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Rogers guitar that Rod Stewart wanted now in Sydney Powerhouse museum.

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