Ormsby Guitars began with one resolution: build the guitar that did not yet exist.
Before guitars, Perry Ormsby trained as a cabinet maker and worked as a designer. Fine woodworking supplied the craft; years spent studying instruments supplied the obsession. In 2003, he combined both and completed the first Ormsby guitar.
That single build changed everything. Perry left his design career, sold his house and committed to making instruments full time. Within eighteen months, the waiting list had grown to two years.
What began at one workbench has become an independent Perth workshop producing Custom Shop instruments, production guitars and hand-wound pickups for players around the world. The scale has changed. The reason for doing it has not.
“The feeling of finishing a guitar and plugging it in for the first time, or watching one of my creations played live, is a feeling that will never wane. This is what I do.”
Perry Ormsby
Our story
One workshop.
Two decades of forward motion.
Ormsby has grown by questioning convention, refining the process and keeping design close to the people who build.
- 2003
The first guitar
Perry combines cabinet-making precision with a lifelong obsession for instruments and completes the first Ormsby.
- Next
The Custom Shop grows
A one-person bench develops into a specialist Perth workshop focused on original shapes, multiscale design and one-off builds.
- Global
A wider stage
Production ranges bring Ormsby designs to more players while development and final direction remain rooted in Perth.
- Today
Still independent
A close team builds guitars, winds pickups, runs build courses and supports an international community of players.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND ORMSBY
Independent, specialist and based in Perth
PERRY ORMSBY
Roles: Head Luthier, Director
Hometown: Perth, W. Australia
When did you join Ormsby Guitars: Right from the beginning, 2003-2004!
Favourite instrument we've built: Andy's Eugenics Machine (copper steampunk)
Favourite guitar to play: Rosso Corsa SX GTR
Amp I'd plug into first: Marshall 1968 Plexi
Preferred music: 80's hair bands!
Hobbies: Cars... doesn't matter if it's muscle, or exotics... love 'em!
THE WORKSHOP TEAM
The people who build, wind, ship and support
JETT WALLER
Roles: Assistant Luthier, Pickup Winder
Hometown: Perth, Western Australia
When did you join the Ormsby Guitars team: 2013
Favourite instrument we've built: Andy's Eugenics Machine (copper steampunk)
Favourite guitar to play: Buckeye Burl top Hypemachine (2015)
Amp I'd plug into first: Mesa Boogie Single Rec
Preferred music: Death Metal
Hobbies: MMA, Guitar
ALEX BASHAM
Roles: Luthier
Hometown: Perth, Western Australia
When did you join the Ormsby Guitars team: 2017
Favourite instrument we've built: Goliath Beach Fade
Favourite guitar to play: TX Eaton
Amp I'd plug into first: Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier
Preferred music: Prog
Hobbies: Playing / Recording guitar, Age Of Empires
BRETT EARL
Roles: Marketing, Content, E-Commerce & Artist Relations
Hometown: Cowaramup, Western Australia
When did you join the Ormsby Guitars team: 2025
Favourite instrument we've built: Angles & Demons Metal V
Favourite guitar to play: SX Carve Top - Seafoam
Amp I'd plug into first: Marshall JCM100
Preferred music: Heavy Metal (90s-early 2000's)
Hobbies: Golf, Tennis, Chilling with the family
MELISA COLEMAN
Roles: Accounts Department
Hometown: Perth, Western Australia
When did you join the Ormsby Guitars team: 2025
Favourite instrument we've built: Egyptian V
What is your dream Drumset: TAMMA
Preferred music: Metalcore, Deathcore & 80's Metal/Rock
Hobbies: Drumming, exploring new music, seeing live bands
SHIVVY ORMSBY
Roles: Customer Service & Shipping Manager
Hometown: Perth, Western Australia
When did you join the Ormsby Guitars team: From the start
Favourite instrument we've built: CustomShop DC
Preferred music: Heavy Metal (80s-90s)
Hobbies: Pilates, Exercise, Hanging with the Family