guitar making courses?

simonm · Post by **simonm** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:20 am

I searched the forum to see if there was any info about guitar making courses/workshops in NZ or Aus. Came up empty handed hence this post.

I am considering a longer trip to NZ/Aus early next year from Europe. Apart from generally visiting a bit of the two countries I would not be adverse to spending a couple of weeks on an instrument building course. I am not a complete beginner - 6 guitars so far and I will get another one done on a course I am attending before the end of the year. Many moons ago (20+ years) I built a 10 course lute so this is my second go round.

Thanks. Simon

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:15 am

First welcome to the forum Simon, good to have you here, a few pics of your first 6 would go down a treat in these parts

We're a caring sharing kinda bunch

I'm in N.Z but am unaware of any courses currently being run in NZ only because I don't keep my ear to the ground much in that respect! I believe Martin (KiwiGeo) attended a course in Wellington some time ago so he may be able to enlighten you in that regard. I am also under the understanding that Gerard Gilet in Sydney runs a course but bookings are essential as they are fairly well attended. Others may want to chime in with more details about this course.

Once again Kia Ora. Oh, & did you have any pics of the Lute? Lutes & Ukes are the new black on this forum.

Hesh1956 · Post by **Hesh1956** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:33 am

Hi Simon and welcome to the ANZLF.

Hey guys what about Rick's Mando class. Perhaps he will have one in the time frame that Simon is visiting in and a mando is perhaps a safer bet for airline travel too...

Kim Strode · Post by **Kim Strode** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:10 am

Hello Simon,

There are two Guitar Making Courses in Melbourne, and I've done both. They are Thomas Lloyd Guitars and Carson Crickmore.

I would recommend the Thomas Lloyd Guitars (http://www.thomaslloydguitars.com.au/) This course is run in Eltham, Victoria. He runs courses of various configurations all the time, as well as 2 week intensive course over the Xmas break for around 4 people. The surroundings are great and the atmosphere is very relaxed. Chris Wynne runs the course and works largely with Australian Timbers.

I did his course around 4 years ago and was so enthused I continued making guitars. Send him an email or give him a phone call, you'll find him very helpful.

Kim

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 12:58 pm

Check out Dave Freemans Timeless Guitars website for info on the courses he runs with Paddy Burgin in Wellington New Zealand.

http://www.timelessinstruments.com/classes.html

http://www.burginguitars.co.nz/2K4_course.htm

Half the course photos on Paddy's course were taken by me...

Doesn't look like any course in Wellington in the near future but email Dave and ask him for more info. If you do go for this course then contact me for info on Wellington (eg accomodation options etc).

If youve already built 6 instruments then I think youll find Dave and Paddy's course a bit easy. Personally Id spend the money on something more useful like a voicing or finishing course. Or you could attend one of my "learning to Live with WAS" courses

Cheers Martin

vandenboom · Post by **vandenboom** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:02 pm

I agree with Martin. If you have made a few, you will spend time doing stuff you already have a reasonable handle on. At times I've considered approaching an experienced builder and asking if they would coach on specifics on an hourly rate. However, a potential snag with this approach is that the things I would want to focus on, such as top voicing, is the IP they would probably want to protect given that they have spent decades building that knowledge & experience.
I think youtube clips and DVD's are often great value in that they are generally focused on something very specific; you get to SEE much of their technique i.e. not just read about it; I love picking up other little bits along the way which are not part of the main topic eg. how they do little things, workshop setup, tools sitting on the shelf etc.
If you do a particular course with a builder, I expect they will generally show you one way of performing a step, particularly in a group situation where time is an even bigger constraint. So if you think about it, DVD's are no different in that respect. I bought the John Mayes set a year ago and while they are rough and ready as far as production goes, I definitely got more than my money's worth.

Frank

Tigermyrtle · Post by **Tigermyrtle** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:16 pm

G'Day Hesh, I spent a couple of hours with Rick Turner today and he has just finshed his building a Mandolin course yesterday, next one is in November they get sold out quick his courses.
Regards Bob

Hesh1956 wrote:Hi Simon and welcome to the ANZLF.

Hey guys what about Rick's Mando class. Perhaps he will have one in the time frame that Simon is visiting in and a mando is perhaps a safer bet for airline travel too...

Dave Olds · Post by **Dave Olds** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 4:05 am

I know you said you are looking for Aust / NZ - but I thought I would mention another option .... maybe a stop off in Canada on the way here or back.

I attended a course in Canada last year, with Sergei DeJonge. The course was fantastic and Sergei is a great teacher. He has been making guitars for over 40 years and makes beautiful instruments.

The reasons I recommend this course ....
- it is 5 weeks rather than the shorter 2 week courses you will likely find down here
- you live-in for the duration of the course, so are immersed in the building process 24/7
- the maximum course number is usually 5, so there is plenty of 1 on 1 time.

I made a great guitar on this course, and I am thinking of going back again next year to do it again (after I have a couple more builds under my belt)

Details of the course are here ....

http://dejongelutherie.com/

and his home page is here ....

http://www.dejongeguitars.com/home7.html

Good luck with the course wherever you end up.

Dave

Rick Turner · Post by **Rick Turner** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 1:25 pm

I'll be back in Tassie in late November/early December doing my mando or uke course, and it looks like I'll be back in July to teach with Allen McFarlen at the upcoming Cairns Ukulele Festival. We're just working out details and hope to teach as many as 12 people to build (OK, Allen, are you ready?!) 13 or 14 "pineapple-style" ukes in four days. We're going to nail this one!...Oh, staple it...details to follow...

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:28 pm

I'm think I'm ready....

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:27 pm

Course notes - check
Clean shirt and tie - check
Harley serviced - check
Backless chaps ironed - check

Hesh1956 · Post by **Hesh1956** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:00 pm

Congrats Allen my friend - I would love to take Rick's course.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:50 am

Well, hop on a plane and get on over here Hesh. You can bunk with all the others I've got to find room for.

Rick Turner · Post by **Rick Turner** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 3:08 pm

Allen, I've no doubt that you're far more than ready!

These pineapple ukes are a piece of cake to assemble, and there's lots of room and time for really great discussions on the history of lutherie, the techniques we use vs. other valid ways to build, etc. We'll have them all glued up by the end of day two; bridges on by the end of day three; and we'll be playing them on day four. You'll see some "short cut lutherie" along the way...some tricks that can apply way up the quality/dollar scale...and you'll see some intensely happy builders by the end of the course.

This is NOT about teaching people to make a living making instruments, though some have taken this as the mandolin course and then gotten the bug. This is NOT necessarily for people who are obsessive about details; this is about getting the darned thing done. This IS about a wonderful experience for people of any skill level.

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 3:43 pm

Sounds cool. Pity I can't be there.

John Maddison · Post by **John Maddison** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:15 pm

Rick Turner wrote: ... I'll be back in July to teach with Allen McFarlen at the upcoming Cairns Ukulele Festival.

Rick/Allen - what dates have you set for the Build course? Presuming BEFORE the actual festival early July. Would be very happy to extend the trip by a few days to participate as a spare pair of helping hands if needed. Hopefully you've also scheduled a Great Aussie Beers Appreciation course too.

Should I be packing a tent, Allen

? - sounds like you may get inundated with requests for bed space.

Bob Connor · Post by **Bob Connor** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:18 pm

John

I'll be running the beer appreciation sessions

John Maddison · Post by **John Maddison** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:25 pm

Can't wait, Bob. Maybe we can play with a few bits of wood while we're at it

.

liam_fnq · Post by **liam_fnq** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:34 pm

Should I be packing a tent, Allen Confused? - sounds like you may get inundated with requests for bed space.

john, it can get quite cool in cairns in the middle of winter, you may need to pack a long steeve shirt

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:42 pm

The plan as far as I know it will be to have the course the week before the Festival. In order to allow those that built an instrument to take it along to any venues where they will be able to strum along.

The beauty of Cairns at that time of year is that days are almost constantly 24 - 26 degrees with over night lows occasionally dipping to 14. Humidity is relatively low, and it's the dry season. I don't think we had a single day of rain in July this year. For southerners, you might find it a bit warm, but the locals might be wearing a jumper.

John Maddison · Post by **John Maddison** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:58 pm

Thanks for the tip, Liam!

Allen wrote: ... overnight lows occasionally dipping to 14

Here in Albany at the moment that would be considered a heatwave

.

Rick Turner · Post by **Rick Turner** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 1:15 pm

Allen and all, looks like we're up on June 29th & 30th, July 1 & 2; that's Tuesday through Friday. If I do my part of the job right, we'll have a dozen or so ukes up and playing early Friday afternoon.

Allen, we should chat, and I need your email address which for some reason isn't in my Yahoo or G-Mail address books. I sent a fairly long message/answer to Gaby and asked her to forward it to you.

Details, details...you know the deal.

HiString · Post by **HiString** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:38 pm

Rick Turner wrote:I'll be back in Tassie in late November/early December doing my mando or uke course, and it looks like I'll be back in July to teach with Allen McFarlen at the upcoming Cairns Ukulele Festival. We're just working out details and hope to teach as many as 12 people to build (OK, Allen, are you ready?!) 13 or 14 "pineapple-style" ukes in four days. We're going to nail this one!...Oh, staple it...details to follow...

Rick,

Have you ever had any contact with Kamaka in Hawaii?

I have an old P'apple that I'd love to get refurbished back to original condition.

ChrisO

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