Taught by David Whiteman

This course takes you through the entire process of building a guitar, from timber selection to stringing. You will learn all the techniques required to build a handmade guitar and at the end of the course, you will have a unique instrument that you’ve built yourself.

You’ll make a guitar based on the work of the great Spanish maker, Antonio Torres. This is a full-sized instrument with either a 640 or 650 scale length. It will have a spruce soundboard and you can choose from Indian rosewood, mahogany or walnut for the back and sides. The fingerboard will be ebony and there will be a choice of timbers for the decorative components. Machine heads will normally be by Rubner.

The course can be taken in a couple of ways. If you live within easy travelling distance, you can take it in an evening class format, 2 hours a week. It will take you between 12 and 18 months to complete your instrument. Alternatively, you may wish to do 1 day a week of more intensive work – please check with me for availability.

I also offer fixed blocks of week-long sessions 4 times throughout the year (see course calendar) so if you are travelling from afar this could be the option for you. All guitar courses have a maximum of 2 participants so you’ll never have to wait long for my attention.

All tools and equipment are provided but there is a material cost, dependent on your timber choices. This will be in the region of £250, but please feel free to discuss the different options and costs with me.

 

Tutor: David Whiteman

Week-long course: £700 (9.30 – 5.30 with an hour for lunch)

1 day: £140 (9.30 – 5.30 with an hour for lunch)

2-hour session: £40

Additional costs: approx £250 depending on timber and machine head choices.

Special Friends and Family Promotion: If you book for the same course on the same dates, receive 10% discount on the course fees.