The Guitar Room by Thomas Lloyd Guitars

Last year I decided to do something different so I signed up for the guitar building workshop that Rod is offering. I got to pick all the timbers (which are all ethically sourced) that I would use to build the guitar and got to decide on all the fine details.
It was a very enjoyable experience and I looked forward to coming to the workshop to work on my guitar and watch it come together. Six or so months later I completed my very own acoustic guitar that I am proud of! Looks, plays and sounds amazing. I love it.
Rod is a very knowledgeable luthier and a great mentor.His workshop offers the perfect environment and all the right tools to build an unique professional grade guitar.

Building a guitar was an absolutely brilliant experience. Rod's knowledge, advice and assistance meant the process was achievable and enjoyable. I would recommend The Guitar Room to everyone, it doesn't matter if you're a novice woodworker, a handyman or a skilled tradesman. With Rod's help you'll get everything out of the build that you put into it. I loved it.

Rod gave new life to a family heirloom. After sitting in a guitar case for decades it had lost its shine and much of its play-ability. With no truss rod and a 70 year old neck I'm sure it was a real challenge. Rod absolutely delivered. Not only does it look amazing but it plays better now than it has since the 70s!

The experience of building a guitar at The Guitar Room is simply an unforgettable journey. Under the expert guidance and tuition of Luthier Rod McCracken, students gain an insight into all aspects of luthiery and receive step-by-step instruction to create a truly unique and personalised guitar. The atmosphere in the workshop provides a relaxed environment that promotes creativity and inspiration and the end result is an incredible hand-built instrument that will be treasured forever. Thanks Rod!

After giving Rod call about a setup on an old acoustic I’d picked up, he could not have been more helpful.

I even got a tour of the shop and he completed the work on the guitar while chatting to me and answering my novice questions.

I could not recommend this place more. Really good experience and I’ll be taking my prised guitars down for future servicing.

Such an open book was impressive to see these days.

Very clean and friendly staff. Rod and Stephanie are awsome and make you feel so comfortable. My daughter is learning to play and the staff are so patient with her, the step at the front is a little steep but that's the only bad thing. They are fair pricing too. If your interested in Guitar then this is the place to go.

My journey began with the Luthiers course at Thomas Lloyd Guitars in 2010 with master luthier Chris Wynne. The course was nothing short of amazing and the experience I gained and skills I developed were life changing. Chris has a way of working with people and understands how to get things across to the individual with the different styles of learning. His history in the world of playing and building guitars gives him a full understanding and advantage to creating new beautiful voices with every guitar, that is hand crafted in the workshop by his students. Don't hesitate to experience the course at the wonderful artist landscape of montsalavat. Getting to know Chris is worth the cost let alone hand crafting your own custom Australian timber guitar. Thank you Chris for changing my life. Your course will forever hold a place in my heart as will you. I'd give you the 6th star if I could. Much love

In short, Chris is amazing!!! The course is fantastic!!!
I've done multiple course with Chris over the last 13 years. And the skills he has given me are life changing.. so much so that I left my "day job" in enegineering to start my own business.
But whats more impressive that over the years I've seen so many students come through young (14) to old (82). People who never touched a tool in their lives to skilled wood workers. People that were looking for something fun to do or needed a (mental) break in life.
But the ultimate story would be about one student, the sweetest soul but different to the rest of the world. He couldn't live on his own and shut off of society. He started to change so quick. After building (I believe) his 3rd guitar, he was ready to move out on his own. Now he's living life. His mum doesn't recognise him in the best way possible and is forever grateful.

If you are looking for a truly unique experience for whatever reason at whatever stage in life, I can't recommend Chris and his course highly enough.