Author: David Whiteman

David Whiteman is a classical guitar maker with over 30 years experience. He taught at London Metropolitan University, formally The London College of Furniture, and was head of their guitar making courses. Based on the South Coast of England, he has built guitars for Brian May, Antony Phillips and many other distinguished musicians. He's also been featured in books, including Richard Chapman's, 'The Ultimate Guitarist'. Richard and David also collaborated to design and build a drop-shoulder guitar affectionately known as The Chapman Model. Even after more than 30 years of building guitars, the thrill of playing a newly finished instrument never diminishes. David teaches various courses so that other people can experience the same satisfaction. These currently include courses in steel string, classical guitar, ukulele and mandolin making, as well as guitar maintenance.

New Course dates and news from the workshop.

It’s been a busy year for me in the workshop. I’ve been working on my own guitars, helping students progress their instruments as well as hosting and teaching on the White Crow Guitarworks courses. But the year started slowly for everyone due to the effects of Covid and lockdown. The nature of workshop activity meant that I couldn’t have people in the workshop safely; it was so frustrating to have students with half finished instruments unable to work on completing their guitars. When we were able to start the White Crow maintenance courses again in May, your response was fantastic and it was so good to see everyone.

In the workshop, it is exciting to see so many instruments being made. Steve from London is just about to string up his first classical guitar; it looks spectacular and we are looking forward to hearing it. Joe from Beijing has just started his first classical, and Jonathon is completing his guitar that he started making over 35 years ago… but that’s another story.

The Guitar Maintenance 1-day courses that I run with David Crozier have been really popular. The course gives players an understanding of the components, structure and technology of the guitars they play and teach them maintenance techniques that will enable them to keep their instruments in optimum playing condition. Have a look under our ‘Courses’ section for more details and see the dates below. Some people have even been inspired to come back to the workshop to build their own instrument.

Here are the new course dates for your diary. We limit the courses to 2 or 3 people so booking is essential.

Guitar Maintenance Workshops

Saturday 22nd January 2022

Saturday 26th February, 2022

Saturday 26th March, 2022

Courses run 10.30 – 4.30 at David’s Shoreham workshop.

Please contact David at davidrwhiteman@aol.com or 01273 453583 to book your place on any of our courses or to discuss building your own instrument.

by David Whiteman

July and September 2021 Guitar Maintenance Courses.

The course on Saturday 17th July is now fully booked and we are very much looking forward to it. We are taking a break in August, so the next Guitar Maintenance Course will be on Saturday 18th September. We have one confirmed booking, so please get in touch if you would like to secure your place.

Our course at the end of May was a real pleasure. It was the first Whitecrow event post lockdown and as we emerged blinking into the sunshine from our subterranean bunkers, we wondered if we would still know one end of a fret file from the other. Fortunately we did, and Rob and Louise, our 2 participants, went away with perfectly set up guitars, and the skills and knowledge to work on other guitars in their collection.

by David Whiteman

First post-lockdown Guitar Maintenance course

Covid and lockdown has been tough on many people, but at least now things can begin to reopen – what a relief that is! David Crozier and myself are very pleased to be running our first post lockdown Guitar Maintenance course on Saturday 29th May 2021, with more dates to be announced soon. This is a one day course aimed at players who want to care for their own instruments and get the very best out of them. You will finish the day with a finely set up guitar, cleaned, polished and regulated, and most importantly, the skills and knowledge to do it all again. Check out the full details on this website – please contact us if you need more information.

by David Whiteman

Guitar Maintenance Course Dates!

Christmas is finally over so let’s hit the New Year with a bang. White Crow Guitarworks are pleased to announce the date of their upcoming guitar maintenance course.

Saturday February 16th 2019 offers the opportunity for you to get your guitar in order. Taught by David Whiteman and David Crozier, this course will cover everything you need to know about maintaining and adjusting your guitar. For further information, please go to the Guitar Maintenance page.

To book your place on the course, please email David on davidrwhiteman@aol.com.

by David Whiteman

White Crow hits the web!

Guitarclamps
Clamping a guitar back

Welcome to the White Crow website! We’ve finally gone live!!!

White Crow is a meeting of the minds, skills and love of guitars of David Whiteman and David Crozier and their wish to share their passion with whoever wants to come and learn to make or look after guitars.

 

by David Whiteman