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Build your own
Ukelele

Build your own Ukulele under Lloyd’s supervision in his workshop. This course is designed for first-time builders. You will learn everything needed to build your own guitar as Lloyd instructs you through the build from beginning to end.

What you'll learn

These are some of the many skills that will be taught during the build…

  • The importance of Jigs. How to use existing shop jigs and how to design and build your own.
  • The maintenance of tools in the workshop. Sharpening chisels and planes.
  • Carving The neck and heel to suit your own style and preference.
  • Inlay of the Rosette.
  • Setting up the action and intonation.
  • Routing out the binding and purfling channels.
  • The importance of bracing and how it affects the sound and strength of the instrument

Your tutor

Lloyd McCann

Course Features
  • Plenty of one-to-one instruction and guidance
  • Source Materials available
  • Full-time or part-time

Part-time Course

Lloyd Edward Guitars offer sessions on the following days

 

Morning/Afternoon Classes

Monday to Wednesday Morning – 10:00am to 1:00pm

 

Saturday Morning – 10:00am to 1:00pm

 

Monday to Wednesday Afternoons – 2:00pm to 5:00pm

 

Evening Classes

Monday and Wednesday – 7:00pm to 10:00pm

 

The time to complete a guitar depends on the instrument complexity and skill level, but attending once per week can see a standard guitar finished in 4-6 months.

 

These classes tend to be informal, however students are asked to pre-pay 6 sessions in advance to secure their place as there is a waiting list for some classes.

Course Prices (Part-time)
€270 6 sessions
€45 per 3 hour session

Additional materials cost: typically, around €300 for a high-quality Ukulele. 

Enquire

Full-time Course

  • 4-week Course
  • Mon - Fri
  • 10am-5pm

This course is designed to accommodate those who wish to complete a build within a 4-week period.

 

The standard hours would be:

Monday to Friday – 10:00am to 5:00pm, Lunch 1:00pm-2:00pm

 

(Students can also attend evening and Saturday sessions at no extra cost)

Difficulty

All Levels

Course Duration

4 Weeks

Days

Mon – Fri

Hours

10am – 5pm
Lunch 1-2pm

Course Price (Full-time)
€1,800 plus materials

Additional materials cost: typically, around €300 for a high-quality Ukulele. 

Enquire

Gallery

I not only made a guitar that sounds better than I ever expected but also got to know a man of real class and found a new friend.

His easy and kind approach, patience and incredible knowledge of wood, carpentry and music has made this a wonderful journey and a delight in learning from a master.

Pat O'BrienSteel-string Guitar Course

I had the pleasure to be mentored by Lloyd while building my first acoustic guitar...

His passion for Lutherie, his pedagogical approach and his patience helped me build the instrument of my dreams although I had no previous experience with woodwork.

Thank you, Lloyd, I’m looking forward to building the next one!
MathieuSteel-string Guitar Course

Lloyd / Lloyd Edwards Guitars made two very special guitars for me recently

With innovative craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a nose for beautiful timbers, Lloyd managed to build a guitar that - by quietly dominating my latest record, both in writing and recording - even surprised me.
Declan O'RourkeMusician

Lloyd was the reason my guitar got done - couldn’t have built it without Lloyd, wouldn’t have built it without Lloyd.

With great patience and humour, Lloyd balances hand-holding and tuition while drawing out the best of the learner.
Eugene WindrimSteel-string Guitar Course

...making guitars with Lloyd, I had such a fantastic time!

There was always a willingness to get right into the details, meet my current curiosity and yet also step back when needed so I could learn for myself, a wise teacher indeed.
Stephane NagtegaalSteel-string Guitar Course

... a wonderful journey and a delight in learning from a master.

Lloyd's easy and kind approach, patience and incredible knowledge of wood, carpentry and music has made this a wonderful journey and a delight in learning from a master.
Eugene WindrimSteel-string Guitar Course
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Instructor Introduction

Meet Lloyd

Lloyd specialises in teaching the creation of Steel-string Acoustic, Classical Guitars, Bouzoukis, and Ukuleles.

 

Lloyd was under the tutelage of Sam Irwin and advanced to be able to take over as tutor back in Hill Picket Studio, where he taught for next five years.

 

In time he built his own workshop in which to create his own guitars and has been lucky enough to secure commissions from local and international artists. It was at his custom-built workshop that he began to run some of his own classes and is where Lloyd Edward Guitars was born.

2013 - 2018

Lutherie Tutor, Hill Picket Studio

2018 -

Lutherie Tutor, Lloyd Edward Guitars

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FAQ's

Courses are available for the absolute beginner or those who are more advanced wishing to complete a project or those who simply need some time in the workshop to work away on their own projects.
Lloyd Edward Guitars is based in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow, which is just a 15-minute drive from the N11. Roundwood is a picturesque village in the county of Wicklow hosting many beautiful eateries, quaint local pubs and a range of accommodation options for those embarking on an intensive course who do not live locally. Roundwood is the gateway to the magnificent Wicklow Mountains.

In the Lloyd Edward Guitars workshop, we build Accoustic steel-string Guitars, Classical Guitars, Ukuleles and Bouzoukis.

 

For steel string guitars most students build an OM model but you can also build a dreadnought.

 

For the classical guitar Lloyd sticks to the Jose Ramirez design and building style.

 

For the ukulele, Lloyd recommends for a first-time ukulele build the student sticks to the tenor model. This tends to be the most frequently used of the ukulele family, however, if you wish to build a different model, please contact Lloyd to discuss the options.

 

For the bouzouki, we build a flat-top, “traditional Irish” bouzouki.

All materials are sourced from certified European Lutherie suppliers. For first-time builders we recommend sticking to Indian rosewood back and sides, spruce or cedar soundboard, cedar neck blank, ebony fretboard, bone nut and saddle.

We can allow some substitutions like tuners and rosettes. Contact Lloyd if you have further questions about alternative materials.
Lloyd will run through the basics and beginning of French polishing. This means that you will begin the French polishing in the class and can continue at home at your leisure. We can also, at an additional cost, have your guitar lacquered to a high gloss or matt finish and then shipped to you when completed.
This is not a kit guitar. All materials are supplied raw. What about cutaways and sound ports? These are quite an advanced undertaking but after you have built a couple of guitars, we can help you facilitate different options like these.
Yes. Cases can be ordered in advance of completion ready for your new guitar to go home in. Lloyd can discuss this during your course.
  • No open-toed shoes or loose clothing
  • Remove objects on hands and wrists
  • Remove dangly necklaces, hair ornaments, and earrings
  • Restrain long hair to prevent entanglement
  • Eye protection will be provided for when using certain tools/ machines
If you require accommodation in the area, please do not hesitate to call Lloyd for recommendations.

Have any other questions?

Reach out if there is anything else you would like to know about this course.

Contact Lloyd

Register your interest

Courses run Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday morning sessions and afternoon sessions. Full-time courses Mon-Fri and Saturday optional

Courses

Other courses

Build a Steel String Accoustic Guitar

Full-time / Part-time

You will learn everything needed to build your own Guitar as Lloyd instructs you through the build from beginning to end.


Course Information

Build a Classical Guitar

Full-time / Part-time

Build your own Classical Guitar. Classical Guitars are built using more traditional methods developed by the original Luthiers.


Course Information

Build your own Ukulele

Full-time / Part-time

Most Ukulele first time builds are the Tenor Ukulele, however by request we can build any style size of Ukulele e.g.: Soprano, Concert, Tenor and Baritone.


Course Information

Build a Bouzouki

Full-time / Part-time

This versatile instrument has become a leading presence in the sound of traditional Irish music today. Our course offers a standard flat top, 8 string instrument.


Course Information

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