Ormsby Guitars Build course
Your Dream Guitar Starts Here
THE COURSE
You've been dreaming of this, haven't you? Building your
very own custom guitar, hand shaping the neck, routing the pickups and neck
joint, learning about all the tiny details that come together as an instrument
we fall in love with. Well, dream no longer!
Held over six days, you'll build a solid body electric
guitar from scratch. You'll do all the cutting, routing, shaping and gluing,
wire the electronics, and complete the fretwork and setup.
Sound daunting? Sure, it would be on your own... but you
aren't. You'll work directly with Perry Ormsby and his team, in a small group
to build your new 'number one'. Everything has been laid out in an
easy-to-follow formula, breaking down all the difficult tasks into smaller
manageable chunks, to ensure your success. That's not to say you'll have an
easy time. You'll be dusty, dirty, and tired at the end of each day, but you'll
not want to stop. It's addictive, fun, and very productive.
The courses start on Mondays, and go through until Saturday
afternoon. Ready?
Course Dates
JUNE 9th - 14th, 2025
BROWN SOUND COURSE - JULY 28th - AUGUST 2nd, 2025
SEPTEMBER 8th - 13th, 2025
PRICING FROM $3350
$750AUD DEPOSIT TO HOLD YOUR PLACE
Full info, specs, and optional upgrades below ⬇️
COURSES OPTIONS
STANDARD COURSE | S+T COURSE | BROWN SOUND COURSE
STANDARD COURSE
BODY SHAPE
Included: Super Strat, TX, SX, Tele, Hype, Goliath, Roxy, Single Cut (flat top), Headless Goliath (+$100), Metal V (+$100), Headless Metal V (+$200)
NECK WOODS
Included: Rock Maple, Mahogany
Optional:
- - Maple/Padauk/Maple (+$100)
BODY WOODS
Included: Alder,Mahogany
Optional:
- - Swamp Ash (+$80)
FRETBOARDS
Included: Ebony
Optional:
- - Rock Maple (+$100), Macassar Ebony (+$50), Wenge (+$70), Roasted Maple (+$150), Flame Maple (+$175), Rosewood (+$50 not available for multiscale)
*Woodsubject to availability
VENEER TOP
Optional:
- - Flame Maple / Quilted Maple (+$180), Ziricote (+$220), Burl Walnut (+$220)
*Veneer wood subject to availability
INLAYS
Included: None, or Dots; Plastic, Pearl, Abalone, or a variety of shells.
SIDE DOTS
Included: White dots, black dots
SCALE LENGHTS
Included: 24.75",25", or 25.5" scale lengths.
Optional:
- - Multiscale (+$500)
The Multiscale option includes the fanned Multiscale fretboard layout we generally use for our own instruments. Six string: 25.5 - 27.5", Seven string: 25.5 - 27.8"
STRINGS
Included: 6
Optional:
- - 7 (+$50)
HARDWARE
Included: - STANDARD: Hipshot hardtail style (6 / 7 string) - MULTISCALE: Hardtail (6 / 7 string) - Tuners: Locking tuners - Colour: Chrome, Black - Electronic cavities: Rear loaded (no pickguard) - Pick Guard: Not available
PICKUPS
Included: 2 x humbucker; 1 x humbucker; 1 x single coil + 1 x humbucker
ELECTRONICS
Included: Volume, Tone (push/pull), 3 way toggle switch
CASE
Included: None
Optional:
- - Premium gigbag (+$100)
- - Hardcase ($135)
*Metal V has no bag/case option available. We're happy to provide shipping packaging if no case is selected.
S+T COURSE
BODY SHAPE
Included: Strat, Telecaster
NECK WOODS
Included: Rock Maple, Mahogany
BODY WOODS
Included: Alder, Mahogany
Optional:
- - Swamp Ash (+$80)
FRETBOARDS
Included: Ebony
Optional:
- - Rock Maple (+$100), Macassar Ebony (+$50), Wenge (+$70), Roasted Maple (+$150), Flame Maple (+$175), Rosewood (+$50)
*Woodsubject to availability
VENEER TOP
Optional:
- - Flame Maple / Quilted Maple (+$180), Ziricote (+$220), Burl Walnut (+$220)
*Veneer wood subject to availability
INLAYS
Included: None, Z pattern; Pearl or black dots
SIDE DOTS
Included: White dots, black dots
SCALE LENGHTS
Included: 25.5” only
STRINGS
Included: 6
HARDWARE
Included: STANDARD BRIDGE: Hipshot hardtail style (6 string), Fender style hardtail (6 string), Telecaster style (6 string) – Tuners: Locking tuners, Vintage tuners - Colour: Included: Chrome, Black
Optional:
- - STANDARD BRIDGE: Vintage trem (6 string) (+$270)
- - COLOUR: Gold (+$125)
*Gold hardware not available for all options, please ask
PICKUPS
Included: - 2 x humbucker - 3 x single coil - 2 x single coil (Tele style) - 1 x humbucker - 1 x single coil 1 x humbucker -
Optional:
- - 1 x humbucker 2 x single coil (+$100)
ELECTRONICS
Included: Rearloaded (no pickguard), or front loaded (pickguard, no pickup surrounds). - Pick Guard: Available on Strat / Tele builds; White, Black, Pearloid, Mint, Tortoise
CASE
Included: None
Optional:
- - Premium gigbag (+$100)
- - Hardcase ($135)
*Metal V has no bag/case option available. We're happy to provide shipping packaging if no case is selected.
BROWN SOUND COURSE
BODY SHAPE
Included: Strat / Barettastyle
NECK WOODS
Included: Birdseye Maple
BODY WOODS
Included: Alder, Mahogany
Optional:
- - Swamp Ash (+$80)
FRETBOARDS
Included: Birdseye Maple
VENEER TOP
Included: N/A
INLAYS
Included: Plastic dots
SIDE DOTS
Included: White dots, black dots
SCALE LENGHTS
Included: 25.5” only
STRINGS
Included: 6
HARDWARE
Included: Vintage tremolo, Non Fine Tuner Floyd, Floyd Rose Special - Tuners: Non Locking tuners - Hardware – Colour: Included: Chrome, Black Optional:
Optional:
- - Floyd Rose Original (+$175)
- - Hardware Colour: Gold (+$125)
PICKUPS
Included: 1 x humbucker 1 x humbucker, 1 x single coil
ELECTRONICS
Included: Rearloaded (no pickguard), Front loaded (pickguard)
PAINT
Included: Franky, 5150, 1984, Bumblebee, or your own tribute to these themes
CASE
Included: None
Optional:
- - Premium gigbag (+$100)
- - Hardcase ($135 subject to availability)
*Metal V has no bag/case option available. We're happy to provide shipping packaging if no case is selected.
THE DETAILS
- What do I need to supply?
Nothing! Bring yourself, and a desire to build!
- What do I get?
All timbers for the body and neck, hardware, pickups, plastics, electronics. Access to machinery, jigs, templates, and tools. There are no pre-made bodies or necks in the Standard or S+T Courses... you will build, machine, carve, sand, and shape your own body and neck from scratch under guidance and tuition. Stripey Course, we supply you with a premade neck.
- Which type of guitars are being built?
Basically, a "bolt on neck" style instrument. There are six main guitar designs to choose from: Strat, Soloist, Tele, SC (Single Cutaway), DC (Double Cutaway), Hype and the SX style shape. The neck will be a single piece neck, with either a laid back (angled), or recessed (Fender style) headstock.
-How do you know what I want to build? Can I design my own?
We will be in touch with anyone who pays a booking deposit to discuss their ideas and specs prior to them coming in. You'll be given a list of models/specs/choices to select from so we can guarantee we have the materials available and can achieve everyone's build in the course time frame. Unfortunately we cannot offer custom build ideas you've designed as we simply cannot prepare for that in advance.
- Do I need woodworking experience?
No! We have designed the course so you do not need to know anything about woodworking. Your safety equipment is provided, as are all machines, power tools, and hand tools.
- Which type of finish are we using?
Our team will provide you with a nitro satin lacquer finish. This provides a very protective semigloss/satin finish. You may choose to do some work at home to lacquer your guitar. We can direct you to suppliers that sell fantastic, inexpensive, DIY lacquer kits.
HOWEVER, if we feel everyone has progressed enough by mid course, we reserve the right to offer a free upgrade to lacquer. In 2019, every single person ended up being upgraded to lacquer finishes.
- Is this just assembling pre-made bodies and necks?
Absolutely not. You will start with a block of wood for the body, and a block of wood for the neck. You'll shape everything from there. Furthermore, this isn't a "watch a guy cut your stuff on a CNC' style course either, like offered elsewhere. You'll do everything.
- Are the materials all quality parts?
Yes. All hardware supplied is the same high quality we use on our own custom made instruments. The pickups supplied are our own handwound pickups. Gotoh, Grover, Floyd Rose, etc etc.
- What if I don't feel confident in doing certain parts?
No problem. Whilst the aim of this course is to get you started in guitar making, some aspects can be a little daunting for a first timer. If we see you getting into trouble, or not confident about one aspect, we can assist you.
We understand some parts of guitar making are scary, eg: using a bandsaw, or shaping the neck. You'll be encouraged to do it yourself, whilst luthier Perry Ormsby looks over your shoulder and guides you in the right direction. If you still don't feel confident, Perry and his team can complete that section for you as you watch.
You'll find that with the right guidance, anything is achievable!
