I don't remember where or when I heard this, but there was a UK radio programme about the Shadows years ago, of which I was sent a cassette tape copy years ago, where someone interviewed Jim Burns, asking about the Marvin guitars..
Hearing Jim speak, it was obvious Jim was evidently a Geordie, as were Hank and Bruce (essentially- although born in Bognor!) so that may be why they approached him to build them new guitars which were an alternative to the Strats, with the tuning problems they were then having...he was a fellow Geordie that they could relate to and trust, not one of these smart arse Londoners..!
Jim was obviously a bit of a lad, and his comments were very funny and spoken with a broad Geordie accent..
He mentioned how Hank and Bruce locked him up in a room to make the guitars and wouldn't let him out until he got the guitars right...and how they 'pushed his tea under the door' etc.. (like he was in a prison cell!)
Anyone else remember this?