Private Guitar Making Course
Private guitar making course:
Make your Acoustic, Classical, or Flamenco guitar in the dedicated guitar making workshop at Sydney with luthiers Steve Toscano and/or David Gibson-Smith.
Our instructors will personally guide you to making your superb instrument.
This is the perfect kick-start to a career in lutherie or just a great fun and rewarding experience.
See below pricing options and packages.
Please note: any of these packages can be done either fulltime or on a part time basis.
- Open to all ages above 15 years.
- Choose your own timbers from our stash of mastergrade timbers inc. Spruce, Cedar, Tasmanian Blackwood, Indian Rosewood, Ebony, Maple etc etc. Timbers are billed extra to the tuition fee.
- We do NOT build from kits – that’s cheating! Your entire guitar is built from raw materials by YOU
- You will finish this course with your choice of your very own hand built Classical, or Steel String acoustic guitar
- Non guitarists are encouraged to join.
- No prior wood working experience required
- A mix dates to choose from along with fulltime (Mon – Fri) OR as simple as 1 day a week or fortnight.
This course operates in small groups of no more then 3 students at a time. Depending on how busy we are and the day of the week.
A $500 deposit is required to lock in a schedule. Remaining can be paid off in installments.
The prices below are tuition fees ONLY
We are typically booked out 6 – 12months in advance so best to get in touch sooner rather then later.
Acoustic Guitar
OM Style- A professionally designed OM style guitar with Falcate Bracing incorporating carbon fibre and timber braces.
- Your choice of woods and materials from the selection at the time, typically – high figure Tasmanian Blackwood OR Indian Rosewood back and sides.
- All materials and timbers are billed extra and are not included in the price. These are billed at the time you use them. Expect to spend upwards of $1000 on materials and timber, this varies slightly depending on what you choose. Typically half or more of this amount is used in the first couple of classes.
- 15 days
Classical Guitar
A real Concert Classical Guitar- A traditional style fan braced concert classical guitar
- All materials and timbers are billed extra and are not included in the price. These are billed at the time you use them. Expect to spend upwards of $1000 on materials and timber, this varies slightly depending on what you choose. Typically half or more of this amount is used in the first couple of classes.
- Mastergrade Spruce soundboard
- 13 days
Optional extras
Please note; the below finish options are the ONLY options for guitar finishing in this course. We do NOT offer sunburst, or solid colour finishes.
We do (depending on the build) offer a satin clear nitro lacquer finish and if so we will bundle that into the course price at no extra charge.
French Polish Finish
- A traditional style shellac based finish hand applied by you. This is probably the most rewarding to apply and the most versatile finish option. Buff it out to a high gloss or rub back to a matte finish.
- Please note: due to the time required to french polish we will show you how to apply the finish and provide you with all the equipment and the finish, you will then apply it outside of our workshop and bring it back for a buffing day once done.
High Gloss Lacquer Finish
- A high gloss Nitro Lacquer finish