Thomas Johnson made his first guitar in 1967. He retired from a career in social work in 1997 and now makes lutes, guitars, and experimental instruments as a therapeutic aid to maintaining health. He met Tuvan musicians at a studio near his shop and travelled to Tuva in 2001. His current workshop is a cabin purpose-built in Poland and shipped in sections to his garden in the UK.

▪ bio current as of 2011