Coldplay guitar techs brush up on their Strat-making skills in East Sussex

Guitar techs and enthusiasts alike can learn how to build a custom-made electric guitar in just three days, thanks to Guitar Tech Courses, owned and run by luthier James Collins in his studio based in Winchelsea, East Sussex.

Unlike other guitar building classes, Guitar Tech Courses provide each student with ready-made high-quality guitar parts and components, so no word-working or design skills are needed.

Students can choose to build either a Stratocaster- or Telecaster-style guitar, and can vary the colour, style and type of many of the guitar’s components, creating a unique instrument which is superior in sound and tone to most mass-made guitars.

The structured three-day curriculum includes both theoretical and practical aspects of electric guitar making. Students also learn the details of guitar set up and maintenance, so that they can look after and make the most of their cherished instrument.

The courses cost from £799. The fee includes professional tools, course materials, guitar parts and components, all of which are of the highest quality.

Classes are kept deliberately small: a maximum of three students per group, so that James can closely supervise each student and tailor the course to their individual needs.

The courses are open to everyone from complete beginners to seasoned enthusiasts, guitar technicians and professionals. There’s no upper or lower age limit for the courses, either.

Recent graduates and happy customers include Coldplay’s guitar technicians, Matt McGinn and Craig Hope.

Matt says, “We went on the Strat-building course to brush up on our skills. Hoppy (Craig Hope) has a lot of guitar-mending to do for Chris (Martin), whereas I needed to know more about effects and tunings, as Jonny (Buckland) never breaks anything!
James was enthusiastic, helpful, and a great tutor. The course was fantastic value: we even got to keep the axe at the end.”

At the end of the course, students come home with their signed custom-made electric guitar, guitar case and certificate.

Course details, vouchers and booking forms can be found on www.guitartechcourses.com or by contacting James on 01797 462222.

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About Guitar Tech Courses

Guitar Tech Courses is run by experienced luthier James Collins and is based in Winchelsea, East Sussex. It provides courses in guitar construction for guitar enthusiasts and owners and those working in the guitar industry. It also runs three-day courses in professional guitar set up for individuals working in the guitar industry.

The guitar building courses use the highest quality materials. Guitar bodies are made from American alder, the necks are maple wood. Fretboards are made of maple or rosewood. Pickups are hand-made in the UK by Bare Knuckle.
www.guitartechcourses.com

About James Collins:
After working in the music industry for many years, James learnt the art of lutherie in Michigan, US, under the tutelage of Bryan Galloup. Upon his return to the UK in 2008, James founded 12th Fret Ltd, a quality guitar and maintenance company. James regularly receives bookings from modern and vintage guitar customers from across the UK and Europe. Fret is one of only four official Gibson service centres in the UK.

James is well-known for the expert craftsmanship of his individually-made custom built acoustic and electric guitars. After completing a series of hand-made acoustic guitars , he set out to build a series of solid natural wood electric guitars. To date, six have been commissioned. No 3 was nominated an Object of Desire by Wired magazine in January 2012.
www.jamescollinsguitars.com
James is available for press comment about any aspects of guitar building, maintenance and set up. Images available on request.

Press contact:
James Collins
[email protected]
Tel: 01797 222288