AN INVITATION FROM GOURLEY MUSIC
The Australian
Guitar Building
Experience
A 15-Day Immersive Lutherie Residency.
Culminating in Your Concert-Grade Instrument.
Yarra Valley, Australia
The Philosophy: This is not a factory kit. This is a legacy.
W
elcome to Gourley Music. Our boutique workshop in Cottles Bridge is a sanctuary for artists and makers. The studio is named in honour of Master Luthier Brend's great-grandfather, Harry Gourley, a dedicated technical educator and craftsman. Brend chose this name as a tribute to him and his grandparents, proudly carrying forward a family legacy of dedication and meticulous skill.
Over 15 immersive days, you will start with raw, master-grade Australian timber and finish with a bespoke, concert-quality acoustic guitar. Guided by Brend, you will learn the true art of traditional guitar building. Beyond the ordinary. This is a highly focused, highly rewarding environment where you will learn to truly understand the wood, mastering the meticulous processes of precision structural bracing, carving a custom neck profile and finishing an instrument that carries your unique sonic signature.
No Prior Craftsmanship Required
Whether you are a seasoned woodworker or have never held a chisel, our master-guided process ensures an exceptional, professional-standard build. With a strict maximum of three students per intake, we provide the highly personalised, dedicated support needed to guarantee your success.
"I asked my good friend to build a guitar for me, and I was genuinely surprised when he turned me down. He just smiled and told me, 'You can build it yourself.' Looking back, that was the best 'no' I have ever received. It pushed me to start a wonderful journey. I ended up building a classical guitar that holds a very special place in my heart. We even managed to incorporate a piece of timber from my home country into the build. It was such a happy experience full of laughter, and I play that guitar with so much love today."
The Tonewoods:
Australian Blackwood is a close botanical relative to the highly coveted Hawaiian Koa. While it shares a similar breathtaking visual figure, Blackwood possesses a slightly denser grain structure. This characteristic is highly prized by master luthiers, as it delivers a uniquely punchy midrange and exceptional acoustic projection, establishing it as a world-class tonewood in its own right.
The Classic Tier
Each student will construct a professional-grade acoustic guitar utilising world-class native materials. Our standard residency includes:
- Back and Sides: Tasmanian Blackwood, offering a rich, warm tone rivalling the finest mahogany.
- Soundboard: Bunya Pine or Silver Quandong for exceptional volume, clarity and dynamic range.
- Neck: Highly stable Tasmanian Oak or responsive Queensland Maple.
- Standard Appointments: Round fretboard markers and quality machine heads.
Luthier's Reserve & Upgraded Machine Heads + $895 USD
For those seeking the pinnacle of acoustic artistry, we offer exclusive access to our Private Reserve. These premium upgrades allow you to select incredibly rare, visually breathtaking timbers for your build:
- Back and Sides: Stunning Tasmanian Blackheart Sassafras featuring dramatic natural streaking, or Master-Grade Fiddleback Blackwood for unparalleled visual depth.
- Soundboard: Choose the beautiful, rich warmth of King Billy Pine, or opt for ancient Huon Pine recovered from deep within Tasmania.
- Neck: Visually striking and highly stable upgrade options are available, including richly coloured Tasmanian Myrtle or beautifully textured Lacewood.
"At 83 years old, I am currently building my fourth custom guitar. Having built with others in the past, I can honestly say Brend’s level of dedicated support, patience, and meticulous attention to detail is simply unmatched. It absolutely shows in the quality and tone of the final instruments. You will not find a better guide for this journey."
The Itinerary: Your 15-Day Residency
Your time at the bench is highly structured to ensure a world-class outcome, blending intense focus with time to recharge in one of Australia’s most celebrated natural landscapes.
- Week 1: The Foundation. We begin with timber selection, joining the soundboard, bending the sides and installing your precision structural bracing. To ensure you stay inspired, we will cap off a workshop day with our first mid-week wine tasting at a local award-winning Yarra Valley winery.
- The Excursion Day. A scheduled mid-point break to let the timber settle in our climate-controlled environment and to rest your hands. We will explore the best of the region, including premium winery tours and a visit to the iconic Healesville Sanctuary.
- Week 2: The Architecture. You will focus on neck carving, establishing the fretboard radius, neck fitting and the meticulous final sanding process. As we near the finish line, we will celebrate with a second mid-week tasting at another of the region's top-tier, award-winning wineries.
- The Capstone. The culmination of the build occurs on the final morning. Once the instruments are strung and settled, you will experience the unforgettable magic of strumming your guitar's very first chords. Following this milestone, you will participate in an exclusive songwriting masterclass with internationally touring artist Ernest Aines. Designed for absolutely everyone, even if you have never written a lyric in your life, Ernest will help you find your guitar's voice. The session culminates in a private concert where Ernest will perform your newly written song, played on the very guitar you just built. This exclusive performance is professionally recorded and gifted to you as a permanent keepsake.
"As an accountant, my daily tools are spreadsheets, not chisels. I came in with zero woodworking experience. I made a clumsy cut, but Brend didn't miss a beat. He stepped in and helped me reshape it into a flawless custom feature... With Brend looking over your shoulder, you truly cannot fail."
Our Featured Artist: Ernest Aines
The final morning of your residency features an exclusive, private masterclass with award-winning contemporary folk artist Ernest Aines. This session is designed for absolutely everyone, meaning no prior songwriting or musical experience is required. Ernest helps you bring your new creation to life and discover its true sonic voice. The masterclass culminates in a private concert where Ernest will perform your newly written song on the very guitar you just built, which is professionally recorded and gifted to you as a permanent keepsake.
Beyond his role as your guide, Ernest is an internationally touring musician. With nearly 20,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, his soaring career includes:
- Global Recognition: Selected to perform at the Library of Congress Archive Show and as an official showcase artist at Folk Alliance International, where folk legend Tom Paxton personally exhorted him to continue his craft.
- Extensive UK Touring: Four major UK tours (2024-2025), including a 2025 headline tour with standout performances in London, Brighton, Cardiff, Manchester, and Liverpool.
- Major Festivals & Broadcasts: Featured live on BBC Liverpool and BBC Cornwall, with major festival appearances at Celtic Connections and the Cambridge Folk Festival, plus upcoming performances at the MacManus Guitar Fest in Seattle and Sydney (June 2026).
Exclusivity & Investment
To ensure absolute, uncompromising quality and highly personalised, dedicated support, we strictly limit each intake to just three benches. To ensure your total focus on the craft, this residency is offered as an all-inclusive experience.
ALL INCLUSIVE
Your Investment
$7,950
*Pricing is provided in USD for your convenience. Final invoices are processed in Australian Dollars (AUD) at the prevailing exchange rate.
Stage Upgrade: + $495 USD Equip your acoustic for the stage with the industry-leading LR Baggs Anthem pickup system, including hardware and professional installation during your build.
*Course fees exclude international and domestic flights, travel visas and personal travel expenses.
"Strumming that first chord on a classical guitar I built with my own hands is a feeling I will never forget."
Lifestyle Enhancements
For those seeking an elevated travel experience or wishing to share this journey with a loved one, we offer the following enhancements to finalise prior to your residency. (Please refer to your accompanying Accommodation Guide).
Winery Apartment Upgrade + $2,195 USD
Upgrade your 16-night stay from our standard boutique lodging to a magnificent, self-contained apartment at an award-winning Yarra Valley winery estate. Wake up to panoramic countryside views over rolling vineyards and the distant Kinglake Mountains. Each luxury suite features a king-sized bed, an en-suite bathroom with a classic clawfoot bath, a private balcony for sunset views and a welcoming hamper of breakfast provisions accompanied by a single, welcome bottle of estate wine.
The Partner Package: The Yarra Retreat + $1,795 USD
While you build your masterpiece, your partner will experience the very best of Australia’s renowned Yarra Valley wine region. We have designed a tailored boutique experience so you can focus entirely on your craft while they unwind in the tranquil countryside. This package is seamlessly integrated with your workshop schedule so you can reconnect every evening in your private cottage. It includes:
- Two exclusive mid-week wine tastings.
- A complimentary 60-minute luxury day spa massage.
- Full inclusion in all chef-prepared lunches and dinners served at the workshop.
- A personalised Yarra Valley excursion including the iconic Healesville Sanctuary.
Global Logistics & Take-Home Support
We understand that travelling internationally with a highly valuable, newly built instrument can be daunting. We provide full assistance with the preparation of Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) documentation so you can claim a portion of your tax back at the airport, provided you are flying out with your completed instrument. Alternatively, if you prefer to travel light, we can arrange secure, fully insured international shipping directly to your door.
"Brend had previously built a custom guitar for my father in Geneva, so I already knew his craftsmanship was world-class. When I travelled to Australia to build my own, the experience was incredible. Brend even handled shipping my finished instrument safely back to Switzerland so I could continue my travels completely stress-free."
Securing Your Bench & Workshop Guidelines
Because benches are strictly limited to three per intake, securing your place requires an approved Builder Profile. This ensures we understand your woodworking experience and can source the correct timbers for your specific sonic goals.
To facilitate a smooth booking process, we operate on a tiered payment schedule based on your standard course fee:
- Booking Deposit: A 20% non-refundable deposit of the standard course fee to secure your bench.
- First Instalment: 40% of the standard course fee, plus 50% of any selected upgrades, is due 60 days prior to the residency start date.
- Final Balance: Due in full 30 days prior to the residency start date to facilitate your Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) documentation.
"I came to the workshop with an unfinished instrument from a previous project. Fortunately, I found Brend at Gourley Music. Not only did we finish that first one to a high standard, but I’ve since returned to build a second. This time it was a 21st birthday gift for my daughter. Using Tasmanian Blackwood for such a special milestone made it a legacy project. The guidance here is steady and expert. Most importantly, he sees the job through to the final polish."
Begin Your Legacy
Your legacy instrument awaits. Scan the code or visit the link below to submit your Builder Profile and secure your bench.
gourleymusic.com.au/agbe-prospectushello@gourleymusic.com.au
Cottles Bridge, Victoria, Australia
The Australian Guitar Building Experience