One plucky joiner

• Published date: 23 June 2022

Rustic Soul Designs owner Niall Walsh has recently returned from a three-week workshop at New Zealand’s Centre for Fine Woodworking, led by ‘‘head tinkerer’’ of Goldbeard Guitars, Dave Gilberd

Six students from across NZ were involved in the workshop, where they learned how to transform bare wood into full-sized, working guitars.

While he’s more au fait with furniture, Walsh says he wanted the chance to challenge himself and master ‘‘a more intricate sort of woodworking.

‘‘I’m always learning ... and making furniture — it is bigger projects and bulkier things, and I always wanted to make a guitar but thought maybe it was out of my capabilities until I saw this course pop up.’’

The students bounced design and material ideas off Gilberd, and after arriving at the centre in Nelson they got stuck in to bringing their visions to life.

‘‘Day by day, we were learning new things I hadn’t even considered which were really important to the sound and the finished product of the guitar.’’

He used over eight different types of timber for his guitar...