Instrument Makers Workshops.
 |
Alan Funk ----- I have been making many styles of banjo for over thirty years. I make ten different types of banjos from Plectrum through to Banjo Ukuleles. I use many different timbers as each timber gives a different “sound". I use Australian and imported woods. All metal and timber parts are made in my own workshop, by me. The only ”bought in" parts are the tuning pegs, mylar heads & fret wire.------ WHITE SWALLOW BANJOS |
GillianWeiss- Harpmaker
|
----I started making my first harp about 16 years ago after the one we were renting for our son and daughter looked like it might have to be returned to its owner. Harps were not easy to come by in those days so it was a bit of a worry until the thought suddenly struck me that I could make one myself. I was so ignorant that I didn't even know you could buy kit harps and sets of plans. But this is what is meant by "ignorance is bliss" and I set out the make one with very little information or skill I was lucky. My first harp was a pretty good instrument for a first effort. My kids played it every day for five years until they moved up to a pedal harp and it's still going strong today. The problem was that as soon as I finished it I said to myself, "I can make a better one." Thus began a whole new career. It's been a huge learning curve. I've made lots of mistakes along the way - but never the same one twice! In all, I've made a wide variety of harps from a tiny 12 string to a 40 string with extended soundboard. I've developed a basic 36 string floor harp and a 26 string lap harp which suit a lot of people just as they are but I also can customise them to a large extent with soundboard decoration, inlays and carving. But I'm always open to making something different so that a customer can have a really unique instrument. My latest project has been a range of inexpensive No Frills harps, 19, 26 and 34 strings. Ideal for learners or even those who are not quite sure yet if the harp is for them. I prefer to work in Australian woods as we have so many beautiful and suitable hardwoods but I will make in any suitable timber that a customer wants. I do mostly use Sitka spruce for soundboards simply because it gives a sound that most harp players expect to hear. But one of the very nicest sounding harps (and sound, like most things in life, is a matter of personal taste) I've ever made has a laminated blackwood soundboard. And the 19 string No Frills actually has a cardboard resonating box but still sound remarkably good |
Peter Coombe |
Peter Coombe is based in Bega NSW, and has been making instruments of the mandolin family since 1994. More recently he has been making guitars as well as mandolins and mandolas. Many of his mandolins and mandolas have been exported to the USA and Europe. He uses Australian native timbers, as well as the traditional imported timbers, and has written articles about the use of Australian native timbers in mandolins. |
|
 |
---John Copley Resonator Guitars, Dobros, ukuleles & Mandolins - John has been on the Canberra Bluegrass scene since the 1970's performing on banjo & dobro with the legendary "Tag and the Noose Brothers" pioneering bluegrass music around the district for many years. During this time he constructed several banjos and a mandolin and this stirred a desire to keep making instruments. The lack of quality square neck resonator guitar in Australia led John to build one for himself. The result of this project was so successful it led to the construction of a purpose built workshop containing all the right equipment to finally allow him to pursue his long held dream of building high end custom made instruments in the bluegrass genre. |
 |
--Jim Robertson Violin Maker James is a qualified luthier, a graduate of the Violin making school in Cremona, Italy. He has 40 years of experience which includes working as a restorer with a number of the worlds most renown violin shops such as Jacques Francais Rare Violins in New York, Ealing Strings in London and Kanda & Co in Tokyo, and has made more than 250 instruments. His teachers are the world famous violin makers Gio Batta Morassi and Francesco Bissolotti whose instrument prices can reach 4 to 5 times more than his own. His customers include the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as well as string players from interstate and overseas |
 |
---Mark Aspland - Cajón Mark Aspland Woodskin™ has significantly advanced the traditional Cajón, enabling use in a wide variety of musical genres. The patented KiKBox® has a built-in kick drum, switchable snare, plus tone and depth controls, providing versatility and a uniquely crisp and powerful sound. Additional to traditional hand playing, foot pedals are also provided to produce the rich bass and snare sounds it is renowned for. Woodskin™ products are used by musicians of all genres, from percussionists to guitarists, the world over.
|
|
---Ray Black 31 years of luthiery experience are behind Rays instruments. His carved top F and A style mandolins are popular with performers in the Bluegrass and Old-time scene while he makes flat-top octave mandolins and bouzouki for Celtic music The instruments are made of tonewoods sourced from overseas and locally grown hardwoods. A range of banjos built with Pat Doole feature custom hardware and inlays . Phone 03 52645282
|
