I have never built an instrument before. Does that matter?

No, not at all. We are used to teaching people with little or no practical experience. In fact, most of our course participants have never done any practical woodwork before. Enthusiasm, commitment and energy are more important than prior knowledge. However, we do run an introduction to basic woodworking course if you’d like to feel more prepared.

Do I need to bring anything with me?

All tools and materials are provided so apart from the aforementioned enthusiasm you don’t need to bring anything. Oh, a packed lunch maybe, although there’s a lovely bakery a 5-minute walk away, near to the beach, and numerous cafes over the river in Shoreham. If you have your own tools and wish to bring them along you are welcome to use them. We’ll provide tea and coffee.

I would like to be a professional instrument maker. Will these courses provide me with the skills to do this?

These courses will certainly start you on your way but you would need to continue to develop your practical skills before attempting to earn your living from making. Being a professional guitar builder can be hard work but is a very rewarding and fulfilling career. David Whiteman has many years experience both as a guitar maker and as a teacher and is always happy to advise.

I’d like to be a professional guitar repairer. Will the guitar maintenance courses help me do this?

Our Guitar Maintenance courses teach skills that are useful for guitar techs, guitar retailers etc who wish to offer fret dressing, setups and adjustment services to their customers. These courses will provide you with invaluable knowledge and skills for a career in this field. David Whiteman and David Crozier are both experts in this field with over 40 years of making and repairing experience between them. They’re always happy to help and advise further.

How can I book and pay for a course?

Easy. Contact us to check availability on the course you’re interested in, and then you can pay the deposit by online bank transfer or cash at the start of the course. If paying by cheque, please get it to us 2 weeks before your course start date to allow it time to clear.

Do you do gift vouchers?

Yes. If you wish to book a course, part course, or block of lessons as a gift, we will be happy to do this. The voucher would need to be used within 18 months of issue and we will provide you with a small gift voucher ‘pack’ with course details, welcoming letter and a voucher to present to the recipient.

Do I get a certificate at the end?

If you want a certificate, you can have a certificate! But you also get something even better; the satisfaction of playing an instrument you have made or worked on is like no other. The main thing we want you to take away is a lot of knowledge about instrument making and repair and the confidence to go on and practice the skills you have learnt.