How to get to the Ormsby Factory

THE ORMSBY BUILD 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 5 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? 

Standard Guitar Build Course 2026

Learn to build your own Ormsby guitar

Date 24 - 28 August & 14 - 18 September, 2026
Time Daily 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM AWST
Location Ormsby Factory - Perth, Western Australia
Duration 5 Days

Join us for an intensive hands-on guitar building course where you'll learn the art of crafting custom guitars from start to finish.

AUGUST: 1 LAST SPOTS REMAINS
SEPTEMBER: 1 LAST SPOTS REMAINS

CASE: Not included, Gig Bag and Hard Case optional

Price From $3,350 AUD
Secure with a $750 deposit

Build your custom guitar

Select from our premium options to create your perfect instrument
Body shape

Body shape

Choose your preferred body style
Available options
Choice of: Super Strat, TX, SX, Tele, Hype, Goliath, Roxy, Single Cut (flat top), Included
Headless Metal V +$200
Headless Goliath +$150
Headless Metal V +$200
Neck Woods

Neck Woods

BOLT-ON NECK ONLY - Due to the course structure, we cannot build a set neck guitar
Available options
Rock Maple or Mahogany Included
3 piece: Maple/Padauk/Maple +$100
Body Woods

Body Woods

Choose your body wood
Available options
Alder or Mahogany Included
Swamp Ash +$80
Fretboard

Fretboard

Choose your preferred fretboard timber *Wood subject to availability ** Rose Wood not available in Multiscale
Available options
Ebony Included
Rock Maple +$100
Macassar Ebony or Rose Wood** +$50
Wenge +$70
Roasted Maple ($150) - Flame Maple ($175) +$150 - $175
Vaneer Tops

Vaneer Tops

*Veneer wood subject to availability
Available options
Flame Maple or Quilted Maple +$180
Ziricote or Burl Walnut +$220
Inlays

Inlays

Choice of inlays
Available options
None, or Dots; Plastic, Pearl, Abalone, or a variety of shells. Included
Side Dots

Side Dots

Included Side Dots to choose form
Available options
White dots, black dots Included
Scale Lengths

Scale Lengths

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"
Available options
Standard Scale: 24.75",25", or 25.5" Included
Multiscale +$500
Strings

Strings

6 & 7 Strings only on the build course
Available options
6 Strings Included
7 Strings +$50.00
Hardware

Hardware

NO FLOYD ROSE TREM - Due to the time constraints of the course
Available options
STANDARD: Hipshot hardtail style (6 / 7 string Included
MULTISCALE: Hardtail (6 / 7 string) Included
Tuners: Locking tuners - Colour: Chrome, Black Included
Electronics

Electronics

Electronic cavities: Rear loaded. Pick Guards not availablle
Available options
Volume, Tone (push/pull), 3 way toggle switch Included
Volume Only Included
Coil Split +TBC
Pickups

Pickups

Choice of Pick up configuration
Available options
2 x Humbucker Included
1 x Humbucker Included
1 x Single coil + 1 x Humbucker Included

Frequently Asked Build Course Questions

Find answers to common questions

Nothing! Bring yourself, and a desire to build! 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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