Brisbane Guitar Making School

When I enrolled in the Brisbane Guitar Making School I had in my mind to quickly build a hand made guitar. What I got was a change in my mind set to enjoy the process and realise that it was more than just making a guitar. Each week I learnt so much more about timber, machinery, tool maintenance and the greatest part was being involved with the builds of the other students. A true group learning experience, that helped me as a person and meant I kept coming back to build again. I have completed three guitars and enjoyed every other persons completed guitars along the way.

Incredibly supportive and flexible environment to build the guitar you imagine. Trent and the other instructors are very knowledgeable and patient with people of all experiences in woodworking.

I had an amazing time building a guitar at the Australian Guitar Making School in 2017. Andrew was always a patient and friendly teacher, and everyone that goes to the school is lovely and always down for a chat. I would recommend the school to anyone who has an interest in guitars, or even just woodwork. The skills I learnt while building my guitar are definitely transferable to other projects and I loved every part of the experience.

Just completed making my first electric bass guitar and I'm extremely happy with the end product. Jono and Andrew were great and the facilities are second to none. The student to teacher ratio was excellent so there was always plenty of time given to you if you required assistance. I highly recommend Brisbane Guitar School if you want to make an electric guitar.

Brisbane Guitar Making School is a fantastic experience. Andrew is a very talented instructor and the time spent crafting my guitar has been very rewarding. I’m in the process of building my second guitar!

Last year for my significant birthday my family gifted me a BGMS guitar making voucher.
Being a very busy retiree, thinking I didn't have the time for yet another project, I nearly opted to cash it in and buy a high end guitar instead.
Now, 10 months later, I am so pleased I decided to stay the course and make my own bespoke guitar.
What a journey! Many highs, lows, frustrations and challenges followed by the huge reward of playing my own bespoke guitar built with my own (and Andrew's and Trents') hands.
Of course it wouldn't have happened without the always helpful, calm sagacity of Andrew and Trent. These guys patiently guided me through a whole new set of experiences and learnings to produce a unique instrument, giving me new insights, skills and appreciation for the luthiers' art.
I am already thinking about my next guitar building project.
I wholeheartedly and unreservedly recommend Brisbane Guitar Making School.

I don't think there really is anything more satisfying in this life than building your own amazing guitar. It doesn't matter if you have never picked up a chisel or a plane before, or even if you already own some lovely instruments, it is about the experience and personal reward of building something truly amazing and absolutely unique. I look at my first guitar build and I still can't quite believe that I made it. The fact that the volume and tone easily beat my handmade Yamaha and Asturias guitars is an unexpected bonus. I take my hat off to Andrew, he is a most excellent tutor with the patience of a saint. If you have a guitar, but want something better, built to state of the art designs, or would just like to experience the satisfaction of creating it, then sign up for classes. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

I made a classical guitar with Andrew at BGMS and could not be happier. My lack of guitar making experience was no impediment with an excellent teacher and workshop.

Trent creates a wonderfully, relaxed atmosphere that allows even the shiest of individuals to get the best from themselves. Trent's patience, knowledge and practical skills are delivered in an easy manner.
4 instruments in, each delightfully different - a wonderful experience.

As a retired engineer with a love of guitars my daughter thought I should actually make one. Without her push I would probably have left the dream of doing that just a dream. But she bought me a starting package as a birthday present and I could not be a happier dad. Working with Andrew was a fantastic experience and he taught me so much. Working with guitar woods to create a finished guitar is something very special. From these woods, and with Andrew's help, you build the many components to make something you eventually hold in your hands and play, and it is unique and beautiful, and it sounds so good when you finally play it. This is a great thing to do. And with the help and knowledge provided by the school it is, I think, a certainty that anyone who wants to do this is going to achieve it.

I cannot recommend Andrew more highly as an amazing teacher and an incredible craftsman, the art of making a guitar is one that is both incredibly satisfying and increases ones skill level in the most enjoyable of settings. I have met some amazing people through the journey of building not one, but two guitars and you do not even have to play as I am a non player but have two amazing instruments for future generations to enjoy.

One of the best experiences I've ever had. With no skills whatsoever to start with, I was able to make a fantastic looking and sounding guitar. When I told friends I was making a guitar they just thought it would be a "home-made" instrument. They are shocked when they see and hear the quality of the guitar I have produced. Loving making my second guitar - there is so much to learn about guitar making and about myself. Going to the school has been the highlight of my weeks!

What can I say? The journey has been amazing and a dream come true! I finished building my first guitar this year (and certainly not my last!!! I'm currently building my second guitar) through Andrew's school. He's a great teacher, a nice guy, and and awesome mentor!

I bought my Gibson acoustic to get the pick up fixed. When I brought the guitar in the also noticed some dents and another broken part and offered to fix them. They did a FANTASTIC job for literally half the price of what another shop asked. They did it with in a few days and the customer service was great too. I went back a few weeks later with two electrics and again they did a fantastic job. I will be coming back whenever I need a repair. Great place!

I've made 3 instruments with Andrew and am currently working on my 4th.
Andrew is an outstanding teacher who really cares about the quality of your build and that your experience of the building process is great. You get so much more out of this than just a great guitar. If you are remotely interested in making a guitar (or ukulele) then get in touch with Andrew. You can't go wrong.

If you are interested in building guitars then this is the place to go!! Andrew, Trent and Jono are able to provide expert guidance to build just about any stringed instrument including steel and nylon string acoustics, solid body electrics, bass guitars, mandolins, ukes, 12 strings. No prior wood working experience required to achieve an awesome guitar.

What a fantastic experience it was to make my own classical guitar under Andrew Armstrong's instruction at AGMS Brisbane. He was a very patient, helpful teacher and gave clear and easy-to-follow expert advice and demonstrations. I am extremely happy with the final product - the guitar looks great and sounds fantastic. I would highly recommend the experience of learning guitar building with AGMS to anyone.

these guys not only make guitars, they do expert repairs and setups. they took care of my 92 SG like she was a new born baby . eternally grateful

Can't rate Andrew and his guitar making school highly enough. I now have a beautiful classical guitar that looks and sounds fantastic using beautiful tone woods. if you play, take it to the next level and play something that you've built yourself. There's nothing as rewarding.

I couldn't believe it. My cherished Cole Clark with Redwood (apparently that wood type can no longer can be sourced from California) was split a third the way up the front , needless to say I was crest fallen. But Jono was able to do an outstanding job of repair . The job was so good I had to really look hard . Excellent job . A big thank you there. Then so I brought my old Warwick Fortress one, which buzzed liked a bee on crack to get fitted and repaired with new electronics and pick ups , and now it sounds incredible (better sounding than before when in working order, no I am not exaggerating) These are the guys to get things sorted for sure!