My first reaction to the idea of being taught how to make my own guitar was:
What better place to make the guitar of your dreams - a Tuscan villa perhaps???
The feel and smell of the exotic timber, the learned skill of handling quality tools, things you just can't begin to imagine by reading a blog.
After two exhilarating weeks, my instrument was finally complete!
I remember stopping half way through the piece. Both Chris and I were astounded.
"Is it supposed to sound this good yet"? I asked Chris.
He had indicated that spruce tops will get better with age, and whilst the instrument would sound good on the first play it would be no where near it's potential.
Both Chris and I agreed that if this was the initial sound, and wondered how great it will be once it has reached its full voice!
I used Spruce for the top, spanish Cypress back and sides, and Spanish Cedar for the Neck. Ebony fretboard and bridge. Indian Rosewood for bindings, Curly Maple and Cocobolo Rosewood for the headstock.... pics coming soon to this blog!
Well 5 months later.....
The guitar, which I named after my daughter Sienna, has voiced itself beautifully, 10 times better than the first strum, and it still has years to reach its full potential.
I'm very excited at this prospect. Not only have I made my own guitar, but I was able to avoid a $10,000-$15,000 price tag for an instrument that will have greater value to me than any guitar that I could buy.
As a result of the course at Thomas Lloyd Guitars I have now purchased the tools required to start making them myself. Chris' teaching and methods have made me confident to tackle any woodworking job I can imagine. Very shortly I will be purchasing a kit from Chris to start on my second guitar that will be named after Sienna's twin sister Ella.
If you haven't gathered from reading this that you MUST do this course, or maybe you should just buy a guitar!
But I tell you this, you will be dissapointed in your purchase, and you will forever be thinking:
Don't hesitate, just do it you will not regret it!
A big thanks to Chris and the gang at Thomas Lloyd Guitars and the other students who labored with me to make this one of the greatest experiences I have ever had.
Truly A Lifelong Dream Come True!
Darryl Wood - Student March 2007.
"Wow,could I really do it"?
Once I had booked for the two week intensive course at ThomasLloyd I began to have reservations. Did I have the ability or personal skill to be able to produce an instrument of quality compared to the price of the course?
Well, once I had completed my guitar I can truthfully say that I have made a guitar of three times the value of the cost!
Being a working professional Flamenco/Classical guitarist I felt it was time to purchase a new guitar!
However the guitars on the market were horrifically priced for very little inspirational sound and feel from the instruments. It wasn't until I sampled the $10,000 guitars that I started to feel I was getting something worth owning, however the price tag brought feelings of hopelessness that I would never own such a nice guitar.
So I thought "What have I got to lose, if I can make a guitar in my price range, the worst Icould do was make one as bad as in the shops and boutiques"!
So I went ahead with the course. Firtly let me say I am no skilled woodworker or craftsman. Before the course I couldn't even cut a straight bit of wood!
I had however attempted to make guitars before. My first when I was seven, out of scraps and offcuts, nails for the bridge and pegs, rubberbands for the strings. My next attempt was an electric guitar at theage of 18. I won't even go there with you! Needless to say I was nervous about failing again.
The moment I walked into Monsalvat I knew I had made the right decision!
Well, once I had completed my guitar I can truthfully say that I have made a guitar of three times the value of the cost!
Being a working professional Flamenco/Classical guitarist I felt it was time to purchase a new guitar!
However the guitars on the market were horrifically priced for very little inspirational sound and feel from the instruments. It wasn't until I sampled the $10,000 guitars that I started to feel I was getting something worth owning, however the price tag brought feelings of hopelessness that I would never own such a nice guitar.
So I thought "What have I got to lose, if I can make a guitar in my price range, the worst Icould do was make one as bad as in the shops and boutiques"!
So I went ahead with the course. Firtly let me say I am no skilled woodworker or craftsman. Before the course I couldn't even cut a straight bit of wood!
I had however attempted to make guitars before. My first when I was seven, out of scraps and offcuts, nails for the bridge and pegs, rubberbands for the strings. My next attempt was an electric guitar at theage of 18. I won't even go there with you! Needless to say I was nervous about failing again.
The moment I walked into Monsalvat I knew I had made the right decision!
What better place to make the guitar of your dreams - a Tuscan villa perhaps???
Chris was easy going, as long as he had his Tim Tam drip installed!
We chatted for half an hour, he showed me around and then introduced me to the pile of wood that would soon produce beautiful music.
We chatted for half an hour, he showed me around and then introduced me to the pile of wood that would soon produce beautiful music.
I tell you truthfully, as soon as Chris got me started my nerves left me. Chris showed me and taught me techniques that transcended most manual skills I have come across.
My excitement throughout the whole process was such that Chris had to double his chocolate in take just to keep up with me!
It was certainly the most edifying thing I had ever done!
My excitement throughout the whole process was such that Chris had to double his chocolate in take just to keep up with me!
It was certainly the most edifying thing I had ever done!
The feel and smell of the exotic timber, the learned skill of handling quality tools, things you just can't begin to imagine by reading a blog.
After two exhilarating weeks, my instrument was finally complete!
I strung it up, tuned it, and played....
I remember stopping half way through the piece. Both Chris and I were astounded.
"Is it supposed to sound this good yet"? I asked Chris.
He had indicated that spruce tops will get better with age, and whilst the instrument would sound good on the first play it would be no where near it's potential.
Both Chris and I agreed that if this was the initial sound, and wondered how great it will be once it has reached its full voice!
I used Spruce for the top, spanish Cypress back and sides, and Spanish Cedar for the Neck. Ebony fretboard and bridge. Indian Rosewood for bindings, Curly Maple and Cocobolo Rosewood for the headstock.... pics coming soon to this blog!
Well 5 months later.....
The guitar, which I named after my daughter Sienna, has voiced itself beautifully, 10 times better than the first strum, and it still has years to reach its full potential.
I'm very excited at this prospect. Not only have I made my own guitar, but I was able to avoid a $10,000-$15,000 price tag for an instrument that will have greater value to me than any guitar that I could buy.
As a result of the course at Thomas Lloyd Guitars I have now purchased the tools required to start making them myself. Chris' teaching and methods have made me confident to tackle any woodworking job I can imagine. Very shortly I will be purchasing a kit from Chris to start on my second guitar that will be named after Sienna's twin sister Ella.
If you haven't gathered from reading this that you MUST do this course, or maybe you should just buy a guitar!
But I tell you this, you will be dissapointed in your purchase, and you will forever be thinking:
"What would a guitar that I make from a pile of wood,
really sound like"?
Don't hesitate, just do it you will not regret it!
A big thanks to Chris and the gang at Thomas Lloyd Guitars and the other students who labored with me to make this one of the greatest experiences I have ever had.
Truly A Lifelong Dream Come True!
Darryl Wood - Student March 2007.
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