“A constant feedback we get from people is that they think building a guitar is above their ability,” says Scott Leary, luthier at Evergreen Guitars in Dalmeny.
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“When I tell them that anyone can build one, and that I will guide them through the process, they quickly change there minds and become very interested. Anyone can do it, and they will have my full support.”
A luthier, by the way, is a person who makes stringed instruments. Interestingly, Scott hasn’t always been a luthier either.
“I started my working life in the construction industry. I enjoyed it for a while but it became unfulfilling. Ultimately, this is what led me to look for another career path, something that inspired me to get up in the morning.”
Scott decided the solution probably lied somewhere in his greatest interests.
“I love guitars. I always have. The way they look, the sound they make, the people that play them. What’s not to love? Another love of mine is woodworking, creating something with my hands. I love the look on someone’s face when you tell them, ‘yeah, I made that’."
However, for Scott, becoming a trained luthier wasn’t as straightforward as he might have hoped.
“It was not an easy process, because at the time, information was limited and what information was around was quite contradictory and confusing.
“I just didn’t know where to start, so after spending over $20,000 on courses, tooling, machinery (and so forth), I started building guitars. I thought ‘there has to be a simpler way’. Well there wasn’t then.”
Now there is. Evergreen Guitars offer three ways to get your own custom guitar.
For those who want to have a crack at home there are guitar and ukulele kits designed for people of all skill levels. Even if you have no experience at all, there is a step-by-step instruction booklet, plus everything you need to build the guitar.
“No tools, no experience. No worries. It is all provided in the kit, and if you do get stuck, we are just an email away.”
In addition to the kits they have full-time and part-time guitar building classes in their state-of-the-art workshop under the guidance of a professional luthier.
The full-time course runs from 8.30am to 4.30pm during the week, while the part-time classes run from 4.30pm to 9pm Wednesday, 12pm to 9pm Thursday, 9am to 5pm Friday and 9am to 5pm Saturday.
The third method on offer is you can have a guitar or ukulele custom handmade for you.
Additionally, Evergreen Guitars offer repairs and restorations of musical instruments.