Dave’s not fretting about guitar gifts

Dave Sumner made headlines when he created a guitar trophy for Sir Paul McCartney. But he says the real story will be when he hands over the 4,000th guitar to a worship leader to use in a church.

It was back in 1989 when the man who made replica guitars for a Sunday school puppet show was asked to create a unique replica Hofner Violin Bass for the Beatles star.

The occasion was the 75th anniversary of the Performing Rights Society and a special tribute to McCartney.

Dave spent six weeks creating the small, left-handed instrument, which was the focus of a glitzy London ceremony. Soon after, he received a personal note : “To Dave, thanks mate, great work, Paul McCartney.”

Dave has been playing guitars for as long as he can remember. Born in Harrogate, he has lived across the UK regularly moving to a new location as his dad, a pastor, took up new posts. He spent his childhood in Glenrothes, Scotland, which was followed by a move to Newbridge in Wales before the family settled in Exeter.

“It was in Scotland that a missionary from Sri Lanka had the biggest impact on my young life. He explained the way of salvation so simply and invited those who wanted to follow Jesus to raise their hands.

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