Ukulele

Full Time / Part Time

Build your own Ukulele under Lloyd’s supervision in his workshop. This course is designed for first-time builders. You will learn everything needed to build your own guitar as Lloyd instructs you through the build from beginning to end.

Lloyd McCann

About Lloyd's Courses

1:1 Instructions

Plenty of one-to-one instruction and guidance

Source Material

All material to complete an instrument available

Full-time / Part-time

You can select a full or part time course and times that suit you

What You Will Learn

Your Tutor

Lloyd McCann
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    These are some of the many skills that will be taught during the build…

  • The importance of Jigs.

    How to use existing shop jigs and how to design and build your own.

    The maintenance of tools in the workshop. Sharpening chisels and planes.

    Carving The neck and heel to suit your own style and preference.

    Inlay of the Rosette.

    Setting up the action and intonation.

    Routing out the binding and purfling channels.

    The importance of bracing and how it affects the sound and strength of the instrument

Build your own Ukulele

Courses Available

Select which kind of session type suits you for more details

Part-Time

€ 2706 sessions

  • Once a week attendance - 4-6 months completion
  • Informal setting
  • Students need to pay 6 sessions in advance
  • Additional Material Cost:
  • Ukulele - € 300

Part-Time

€ 45per 3 hour session

  • Once a week attendance - 4-6 months completion
  • Informal setting
  • Students need to pay 6 sessions in advance
  • Additional Material Cost:
  • Ukulele - € 300

Course Timetable

DayMorningAfternoonEvening
Monday10:00 - 13:0014:00 - 17:0019:00 - 22:00
Tuesday10:00 - 13:0014:00 - 17:00 -
Wednesday10:00 - 13:0014:00 - 17:0019:00 - 22:00
Saturday10:00 - 13:0014:00 - 17:00 -

Full-Time

€ 1800Full Time

  • Full Time Attendance
  • Monday - Friday: 13:00 - 14:00
  • Lunch: 10:00 - 17:00
  • Evening Classes: Monday / Wednesday 19 00 - 22 00
  • Students can attend Evening / Saturday Sessions at no extra Cost
  • Additional Material Cost:
    Ukulele - €300

Meet your Instructor

  • Lloyd specialises in teaching the creation of Steel-string Acoustic, Classical Guitars, Bouzoukis, and Ukuleles.

    LLloyd was under the tutelage of Sam Irwin and advanced to be able to take over as tutor back in Hill Picket Studio, where he taught for next five years.

    In time he built his own workshop in which to create his own guitars and has been lucky enough to secure commissions from local and international artists. It was at his custom-built workshop that he began to run some of his own classes and is where Lloyd Edward Guitars was born.

  • 2013 - 2018

    Lutherie Tutor, Hill Picket Studio

    2018 -

    Lutherie Tutor, Lloyd Edward Guitars

Tagline

Don't just take my word for it

See what some of my students have to say about the courses provided:

As someone who was more than happy with the instrument I used day in, day out for over 20 years,

Read more

Declan O'Rourke
Musician

His passion for Lutherie, his pedagogical approach and his patience helped me build the instrument of my dreams although I

Read more

Mathieu
Steel-string Guitar Course

With great patience and humour, Lloyd balances hand-holding and tuition while drawing out the best of the learner.

Read more

Eugene Windrim
Steel-string Guitar Course

There was always a willingness to get right into the details, meet my current curiosity and yet also step back

Read more

Stephane Nagtegaal
Steel-string Guitar Course

Frequently Asked Questions

Courses are available for the absolute beginner or those who are more advanced wishing to complete a project or those who simply need some time in the workshop to work away on their own projects.

Lloyd Edward Guitars is based in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow, which is just a 15-minute drive from the N11. Roundwood is a picturesque village in the county of Wicklow hosting many beautiful eateries, quaint local pubs and a range of accommodation options for those embarking on an intensive course who do not live locally. Roundwood is the gateway to the magnificent Wicklow Mountains.

In the Lloyd Edward Guitars workshop, we build Accoustic steel-string Guitars, Classical Guitars, Ukuleles and Bouzoukis.

For steel string guitars most students build an OM model but you can also build a dreadnought.

For the classical guitar Lloyd sticks to the Jose Ramirez design and building style.

For the ukulele, Lloyd recommends for a first-time ukulele build the student sticks to the tenor model. This tends to be the most frequently used of the ukulele family, however, if you wish to build a different model, please contact Lloyd to discuss the options.

For the bouzouki, we build a flat-top, “traditional Irish” bouzouki.

All materials are sourced from certified European Lutherie suppliers. For first-time builders we recommend sticking to Indian rosewood back and sides, spruce or cedar soundboard, cedar neck blank, ebony fretboard, bone nut and saddle.

We can allow some substitutions like tuners and rosettes. Contact Lloyd if you have further questions about alternative materials.

Lloyd will run through the basics and beginning of French polishing. This means that you will begin the French polishing in the class and can continue at home at your leisure. We can also, at an additional cost, have your guitar lacquered to a high gloss or matt finish and then shipped to you when completed.

This is not a kit guitar. All materials are supplied raw. What about cutaways and sound ports? These are quite an advanced undertaking but after you have built a couple of guitars, we can help you facilitate different options like these.

Yes. Cases can be ordered in advance of completion ready for your new guitar to go home in. Lloyd can discuss this during your course.

  • No open-toed shoes or loose clothing
  • Remove objects on hands and wrists
  • Remove dangly necklaces, hair ornaments, and earrings
  • Restrain long hair to prevent entanglement
  • Eye protection will be provided for when using certain tools/ machines

If you require accommodation in the area, please do not hesitate to call Lloyd for recommendations.

Other Available Courses

View all
  • Build a Traditional Irish Bouzouki

    Build your own traditional Irish Bazouki under Lloyd’s supervision in his workshop. This course is designed for first-time builders. You will learn everything needed to build your own guitar as Lloyd instructs you through the build from beginning to end.

    Course Information
  • Build a Classical Guitar

    Build your own Classical Guitar under Lloyd’s supervision in his workshop. This course is designed for first-time builders. You will learn everything needed to build your own guitar as Lloyd instructs you through the build from beginning to end.

    Course Information
  • Build a Acoustic Steel–String Guitar

    Build your own steel-string guitar under Lloyd’s supervision in his workshop. This course is designed for first-time builders. You will learn everything needed to build your own guitar as Lloyd instructs you through the build from beginning to end.

    Course Information
View all

As someone who was more than happy with the instrument I used day in, day out for over 20 years, I didn’t think it was possible for another to challenge the position of my favourite guitar.
With innovative craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a nose for beautiful timbers, Lloyd managed to build a guitar that – by quietly dominating my latest record, both in writing and recording – even surprised me.
In fact, I liked it so much I had him make a second one as a special gift to a rather cool friend of mine, who I know loved his too.

Declan O'Rourke
Musician

His passion for Lutherie, his pedagogical approach and his patience helped me build the instrument of my dreams although I had no previous experience with woodwork.
Thank you, Lloyd, I’m looking forward to building the next one!

Mathieu
Steel-string Guitar Course

With great patience and humour, Lloyd balances hand-holding and tuition while drawing out the best of the learner.

Eugene Windrim
Steel-string Guitar Course

There was always a willingness to get right into the details, meet my current curiosity and yet also step back when needed so I could learn for myself, a wise teacher indeed.
He offers a great set of skills and tools… makes a cracking cup of coffee too!

Stephane Nagtegaal
Steel-string Guitar Course