A Brightwater man is sharing the guitar-making expertise that saw him make international musician Sinead O’Connor a guitar.
Dave Gilberd, owner operator of Goldbeard Guitars has taught over 60 students the process of crafting their very own instrument and has loved every moment.
“Bring a dream, take home a treasure,” he says.
Dave took a break from the guitar business while he moved from Wellington to Tasman in 2020, reopening Brightwater Motors.
“I needed to get Brightwater Motors humming before I could consider setting up the Goldbeard workshop again, but we’re finally there and I’m really excited to be bringing the business to our new home in this incredible region,” says Dave.
The magic of guitar making happens in a workshop above Brightwater Motors, where Dave offers classes on full size guitar, backpacker’s guitar, and ukulele making.
Andrew MacDonald’s wife Kirsten gifted him a class for his birthday and he enjoyed the week spent making his backpacker’s guitar. He chose rosewood and a native timber, kahikatea, to work with.
“Different woods make different sounds, particularly in the larger guitars,” says Dave. He realised that people had an appetite to learn the craft. After lockdown last year, interest escalated adding impetus to his plans to relaunch the business.
Goldbeard guitars are designed in consultation with the customer and tailor-made to fit their body and playing style.
There is freedom to personalise instruments, through choice of wood and design of key components, like
the head-stock, fretboard and bridge.
The upcoming ‘Beards and Scruffs’ (parents and their teens) ukulele-building course is offered during the school holidays from 19 to 24 July. For more info or to book a course, go to goldbeard.co.nz.