In my small friendly workshop in Stoke on Trent I have all the tools and materials for you to complete a project in one day. I have room for 1 or 2 adults due to size of workshop.
On the Instrument making course you will learn about:-
Wood selection, fret work, shaping, accurate measuring, bandsaw use, sanding and finishing. No experience needed for this course ....just common sense!
People can use this course as an introduction to acoustic guitar making and fine woodworking.
Instrument building course 8 hours, 30 mins for lunch, £185 per person
Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts. Start dates may be amended on request.
Free parking and security on site.
At the end of the day You will take home your new instrument.
This craft course provider has been awarded Silver status for receiving 5 or more 5 star ratings from previous students.
The Students' Choice award ensures that course providers get recognised for their efforts in the teaching and practice of UK craft.
They also allow tutors to gain valuable feedback on their courses and for new students to find the course that's right for them.
Was a really good day, very enjoyable and ted was very knowledgeable about guitars and luthiery. Excellent learning to use tools like the band saw, table router, drills, scrapers and sanders. Ted takes you through each step and has some great tips and tricks. The instument was excellent and finished to a high standard even though it was only done in one day. Thanks to ted for a good time and will now look into making my own projects at home.
Response from Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses:
Well done and good luck in your future builds.I got this course as a gift. This was because I'm looking to study instrument making at university.
This was the first time I've picked up tools in about 5 years but Tim's guidance and willingness to answer any questions really helped me get comfortable and confident in the techniques
Ted's a great person to be around is all round interesting, funny while managing to stay informative.
I had an amazing day and left with a great sounding instrument. I can wholeheartedly recommend this course.
Response from Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses:
Thank you Frankie I dare say you will be a great craftsman in the future. Many thanks to your mum for buying the course and I hope to see you on another day course soon. Merry Christmas and Happy struming in 2021....... Remember practice makes perfect 🎸🎸👌What a fantastic course! Tim is a really friendly, patient tutor, who is as hands on or off as you need throughout. The workshop is well kitted out with all the equipment you need without being an intimidating space.
We started the day understanding the timber and marking out the first couple of cuts and then straight into it on the bandsaw. Tim gave a good explanation on the use of each machine and was always on hand to advise. There was time to make practice cuts before commiting them to the final instrument and always a way to work around things that you might find tricky.
I thoroughly enjoyed the day and have learned a lot of techniques about something that I've never tried before.
The end result was a strum stick that I'm really proud of and plays amazingly well.
I would not hesitate to recommend Tim's courses to anyone of any experience level who wants to try something new. You wont be disappointed!
Response from Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses:
I have to say Chris is a fantastic student who had good skills due to his love of woodwork. He is methodical and precise in his approach too.Got to say this was one of the most enjoyable days I have had, I saw the course online and dropped hints to my wife who got me the course as a present.
Ted proved to be not only a great teacher but wonderful company and easy to get on with chatting about our mutual love of music and he doesn't make a bad cuppa either.
I learnt so much during the day and ended up with a Strumstick from wood I could not believe would turn into a stringed instrument, not only was I impressed so was my wife and friends who have seen it. Ted is also a very talented musician so at least I got to hear how the Strumstick could sound before I got my hands on it.
Due to the amount of fun I had more hints were dropped to my wife and I have since been down to Ted's for a day on the Bandsaw course.
Response from Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses:
Cheers Paul your hand skills are excellent my friend and I'm sure you could build a full size guitar with a little help. I'm hoping to start a Jewelry box course in January let me know if you want to come because you're welcome any time. Happy struming in 2020 thanks again TedWhat a great way to spend a day!
Tim is great company and can talk about anything which is really important when you're spending 8 hours together in a small space.
He was very knowledgeable about the task in hand and helped me as a novice safely through every step of the process while still leaving me with a sense of achievement.
The finished product was also impressive and I happily show it off to anyone who'll listen.
Thanks very much Tim, I'd recommend the course to anyone with an interest in getting to know equipment and techniques.
All the best
Response from Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses:
Thanks GlynHow can you make an amazing 3 String Strumstick from a stick and a few other pieces of wood, on Teds woodworking course, well YOU can. Having little knowledge of woodworking, tools or anything musical doesn't matter as Ted guides you helpfully and funnily through, from start to finish.
What a great day I had, unfortunately it went far too quickly, but I ended up with a great looking and sounding Strumstick and feeling proud of my self and my achievement.
A very satisfying day.
Thank you for an excellent adventure.
Response from Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses:
Thank you Norman......the feelings mutual my friend looking forward to our bandsaw box or jewellry box day later this year.Teds day course was fantastic ! He is a very helpful man with a sense of humour too!
My wife paid for a Gift voucher which was valid for 1 year, so in Feb 2020 I decided to use it.
The Strumstick 3 stringed instrument was built in just 7 hours and sounded great at the end of the day.
I learned about Acoustic instruments building including :- Fret boards, Fret levelling, Tonewoods, neck shaping, band saw use, sanding, finishing, and wood selection. I would recommend this craft course for anyone with or without experience in woodwork. I had 30 mins for lunch and tea breaks at any time we wanted. I chose a weekend day but I could of easily had any evening or daytime. I now have my instrument to play at home for many years to come.
Response from Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses:
Thank you Steve, it was a pleasure my friend. Tell your wife Wendy, thank you for the purchase of the Gift voucher and good luck and happy strumming for 2020.