The eight-note intro to the Stranglers' Peaches track is a modern classic and for over a year now bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel has been pounding it out on a guitar hand-made in the Hope Valley.

READ MORE: Ace of bass makes guitars of note...

The Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix also belts out I Predict A Riot, and the rest of the Leeds band's repertoire, on a Jon Shuker bass.

The link between old and new rockers was made when the Stranglers were on tour with the Kaiser Chiefs and Simon Rix asked Burnel where he got his bass from.

"I got a call when I was on holiday in Canterbury last year," said Jon.

"Then Simon came out to Derbyshire to see me in his posh sports car.

"He's a nice chap. We had a chat and he told me what he wanted and I made it.

"Kaiser Chiefs were on tour around that time so I finished it in time to deliver it myself at Sheffield Arena.

"He was really pleased to get it and played it that night at the Arena gig. It was great to see him on stage with my guitar."

Stranglers bassist Jean Jacques Burnel says Jon Shuker's basses are perfect for him.

"For over a year now I have used Shuker guitars exclusively and he has surpassed my expectations," he said.

"Obviously there is a price difference between mass-produced and hand-built but the difference in quality is far greater than that.

"I can proudly say that I endorse Shuker bass guitars. They are fit for purpose!"

"So which rock star would you most like to see playing one of your guitars?"

Jon Shuker has a think, scratches his head, and says: "I don't mind really, it's not so much who plays them as seeing them up on stage."
Then his mate Rob says: "How about Adam Clayton from U2, he'd be all right."

Jon agrees but he's not the type to be starstruck by a big name rockers.
"I'd like that but it doesn't matter that much," adds Jon who admits to admiring Iron Maiden. "I just like making guitars for people."

But it's not quite the joy it used to be.

"People come to me and say: 'It must be great doing what you do,' " said Jon.

"I say yes, it's OK but when you're doing it all the time it's not quite the same.

"I'm just working with wood, string and electronics.

"You start doing a job because you're interested in it and the interest that got you into doing it in the first place becomes monotonous.

"Only about six people in the UK make guitars the way I do. I like the idea of building one for somebody but I'm not really bothered about what stars they are.

"It's not the same when it's your living but I'm not complaining.

"The people I've met from the music business are usually all right, I've not come across any diva types yet.

"People in bands usually come from nothing and nowhere – like someone who starts their own business – so they are quite normal."
BUY ONLINE: Buy The Star - Monday to Saturday - for local news, sport, features and ads. Sign up on line by clicking here.

READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport