History of an Artist by Danny O'Brien

I left school in 1960 and began an apprenticeship as an engraver at James Purdey and Sons Gun and Rifle makers in London, under the tutelage of master engraver Ken Hunt. I completed my apprenticeship on my twenty first birthday and it was at about this time I first met Tony Zemaitis through a friend and began a firm friendship and working relationship. At that time Tony was making only acoustic guitars and I used to make the headstock badges. Eventually he made a few electric guitars and in 1971 he came up with the idea of shielding the electrics with a metal plate and between us we decided to engrave some decoration on it; so the Zemaitis metal front was born. I continued with my work on shotguns, and I engraved metal fronts in my spare time up until Tony retired. After his death his son asked if I would continue engraving for a Japanese company that was buying Tony’s business which led to 15years of full time work on guitars! Since my contract with Zemaitis guitars ended, I have done some engraving with Newman guitars. It has given me the  motivation to carry on working and I have to say that I am proud of what we have achieved together!

Danny O’Brien