Drawn to making and repairing instruments by his love of folk music and the banjo, Mr Buckmaster has travelled the world for his craft, earning respect, fame and a handful of famous friends.
Now retired, his passion remains, filling his time by travelling around Australia offering his expertise to musicians across the country.
One of his most recent stops was in Echuca, where he was blown away by the number of people interested in selling and fixing their instruments.
On his travels he’s seen violins, banjos, guitars and cellos from all over the world, in a variety of conditions.
“Some are beyond saving,” Mr Buckmaster said.
“One lady bought me a violin she’d put down on the driveway, forget it was there, and backed her car out of the garage and went straight over it.”
Despite the job being testing at times, Mr Buckmaster said working with instruments was something he couldn’t stop doing even if he wanted to.
“It’s in my blood now,” he said.
“I’ve been playing music since I was 16.
“(But) you never look at the clock, because you won’t do it if you do.”
Learning his craft in the United Kingdom under the tutelage of renowned violin-maker Wilfred Saunders, Mr Buckmaster worked making instruments out of his home before opening Buckmaster’s Music Shop, which he owned for two decades.
His instruments quickly gained a reputation, with demand for them coming from all corners of the globe.
“I met this guy who’s the guru of pre-war instruments,” Mr Buckmaster said.
“He (runs) Gruhn Guitars in Nashville.
“If you want any information about anything in the music business, you go and see him.
“I got on well with him right from the start, and he said ‘I’m interested in your stuff’, so I was selling (my guitars) in Nashville for 16 years.”
One request Mr Buckmaster couldn’t fulfil came from world-renowned singer-songwriter Sir Rod Stewart.
“(The guitar) is in the Powerhouse museum in Sydney,” he said.
“Rod Stewart wanted to buy it, but he couldn’t because it was already going to the museum.
“They’ve got the biggest collection of Australian-made instruments, many of which I’ve sent to them.”
For Mr Buckmaster, one of the best things about travelling from town to town is the opportunity to meet other music enthusiasts.
He’s met dozens of amateur instrument makers, often buying instruments off them to fix up and donate.
After four days of back-to-back appointments in Echuca, Mr Buckmaster, who is currently visiting Shepperton, said he would return to offer his services soon.
Those interested in getting rid of their stringed instrument, or having it repaired, can contact him on 0419 549 841.
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