Guitar Making School FAQs
I have not picked up a wood working tool before, how can I make a great quality guitar?
Most of our students have not done any woodworking prior to coming to us. Don’t fret, we will break everything down into short simple steps and get you making a high quality instrument.
What does it cost to make a guitar?
The short answer is, anywhere from $100/week up to over $2000/week, depending on how quick you want to make it. See our courses page, all prices are listed there. Most students do the weekly custom build at $150/week paid on attendance for 4hrs at the Hornsby workshop, or $100/week for 3hrs at Port Stephens.
Can i get funding through NDIS, Return to work programs, or other government funding?
Yes you certainly can. We get many students funded through NDIS, and other government funding. Some redundancy packages will even cover our tuition.
What if I cannot make it every week?
This is not a problem. As the sessions are self paced if you cannot make it one week you just pick up the next week, you don’t miss out nor does your build suffer. We just ask for 24hours notice for cancellations.
I’m a shift worker and I would have to vary my session every week is this ok?
Yes, we have casual positions that pick up spots when other students are away or off sick. We just ask that you can attend at least once per month to retain a casual position. We usually have 4-5 casual spots open up every week.
Are all the tools supplied?
Yes, all tools and machinery (and tuition on how to use them) are supplied at our workshops.
What timbers can I use?
We have a selection of mastergrade woods, the stacks usually contain – Tasmanian Blackwood, Indian Rosewood, Santos/Bolivian Rosewood, varies types of Ebony, Gidgee, Tasmanian Myrtle, Californian Redwood, Spruce, Ziricote.
Can I bring my own timbers?
Yes, but we will need to assess them to check they are good enough and cut the correct way. If they are from a reputable tonewood supplier they will be fine to use.
What type of guitar can I make?
For a first time maker we recommend sticking to one of our designs that are guaranteed to work and sound awesome (don’t worry there’s still plenty of scope to customise) – for Acoustic: A falcate braced OM or OO, a traditional Classical or flamenco. For an Electric: a solid body, flat top, with a bolt on neck.
I want to make a semi hollow body, with a chambered neck, multiscale, a bigsby bridge, with 2x humbuckers and a P90 in the middle?
If you’ve never made a guitar before, we strongly suggest you make something a little more standard first. While the above is doable, you are likely going to struggle to do this and not enjoy the process.
There’s other guitar making schools around the country, why should I make a guitar with you?
Correct, there is other options. While most do great work, the main difference with us is that we are guitar makers, Steve Toscano is one of the leading guitar makers in the country. The same high quality that is expected in his instruments – he expects and teaches his students to achieve.
Do you do Gift Certificates?
Certainly do, and the options in value are almost endless. Starting at $150 right up to $4000. There is an option to receive the gift certificate on paper OR laser engraved on a piece of wood that the gift giver can also write, this piece will become part of the guitar with the personal note inside the instrument forever.
I want to change careers to be a luthier, can you help me?
Yes, certainly can. Just reach out and let us know. First step is to make a guitar in one of our courses, and then during this process we can discuss more advanced tuition options including everything from making fine guitars, maintaining tools, to workshop setup, and even advertising and marketing.
Can I apply to be a part of the team or work as a contractor?
Yes you can, all the staff at the school were once students, so best action is to start by enrolling in a course.