About Us
Mark Pugh, owner of Stones Music, trained as a luthier in the late-1970’s at the London College of Furniture, achieving TEC Higher Diplomas in Musical Instrument Studies and Musical Instrument Technology. After spending some time working as a roadie and guitar tech for bands such as Time UK and Samson, Mark took over the guitar repair workshop at Roka's in Denmark Street in London’s West End in 1984, counting among his customers Rory Gallagher, Alan Murphy, Roger (JJ) Belle, Earl Slick, Ray Russell, Mo Foster, Kirk Brandon, Hank Marvin, Everything but the Girl, Cocteau Twins, Talk Talk, Andy Brown, T'Pau and many more, as well as sharing many a cuppa with the late, great Jim Burns (below).
After four years combining duties of workshop manager and store manager, Mark moved out of London to work for leather works company Nick Stone Accessories, before setting up Stones Music in 1989. Initially manufacturing a range of guitar straps, covers and accessories, Stones Music later expanded into the distribution of other musical instruments and products.
Recent years have seen Stones Music build a comprehensive range of ukulele brands which sit in the catalogue alongside many accessory lines. Stones Music have brought many brands to the UK for the first time - Magic Fluke, Kai, Kiwaya, UMA, LogJam, Timber Tones, Jowoom, Mabuhey, iUke, Alic.
Since the launch of UKE Magazine in 2015, Mark has been a regular contributor, writing articles covering the NAMM Show, Frankfurt's MusikMesse, the story of the LogJam stomper, Jake Shimabuhuro's first UK concerts in addition to technical articles.
Roka's, #5 Denmark Street, mid-1980s
Mark Pugh & Jim Burns, London 1986
Mark Pugh 2021
Stones Music 2022