Instruments

Where to obtain musical instruments in New Zealand, for folk and acoustic music.

Drop me a line here if you want to be listed.

Instrument Makers

Kevin Almy

Web page: http://www.angelfire.com/music/luthier/

Working from his quiet back street studio in New Zealand's capital city, Wellington, Kevin Almy, Master Luthier produces a wide range of the finest quality instruments: from violins, violas and cellos to mandolins, mandolas and archtop guitars. Hidden away in a turn of the century building in Wellington's Cuba Street, famed for its cafes, curio shops and ethnic restaurants, his studio can be quite difficult to find.

Kevin's luthiery work is well respected by NZ's professional and amateur musicians alike, many of whom regularly beat a path to his door confident that their specific needs will be met. It can truly be said that his handcrafted instruments and his repair work speak for themselves.

Kevin has been building his fine handcrafted instruments for over 30 years. During the early 1980's, he worked for Wellington's legendary music store "Capital Music", carrying out guitar repairs and modifications for many of that city's guitarists.

He is New Zealands only Master Luthier certified by the Martin Guitar Company as a guitar technician to carry out their warranty work. As well as his repair work, Kevin has also constructed flat top steel string acoustic and solid body electric guitars to order.

Steve Barkman

Web page: http://www.stevebarkman.com/

The New Zealand Bagpipe Co.

Web page: http://www.nzbagpipes.co.nz/

Mission Statement
To repair, restore and manufacture bagpipes that are of a quality equal to anything available, in a manner that honours the skill of the master pipe-makers of the past.

Beltona Resonator Instruments

Web page: http://www.beltona.net/

Beltona is a partnership between Steve Evans and Bill Johnson that began in the UK in 1990. A luthier and engineer respectively and sharing an interest in resonator instruments, we set out to produce a couple of instruments for ourselves. Bill was intrigued by the idea of making musical instruments out of metal and Steve had developed an expertise in resonator instrument repair and restoration so had access to many original instruments. We wanted to replicate the original features we liked and decided to make adjustments and improvements as well. In addition, we were committed to producing all components of each instrument ourselves. As a result of this, a business grew which has been producing the finest quality, handcrafted instruments ever since. Beltona is a small and highly specialised enterprise which relies on the individual and complementary skills of these two people who are committed to the uniqueness of each instrument and to the development of resonator instruments generally.

Instruments by Paddy Burgin

Web page: http://www.burginguitars.co.nz/

Green Man Humming Lutherie

Web page: http://www.greenmanhumming.com/lutherie/

GMH Lutherie is a joint venture between Mark Fitzsimons, and Oregon luthier GD Armstrong. We are making a line of solid body electric zouk/citterns, based on the instruments we had each built of this sort prior to our current collaboration.

Madill Guitars

Web page: http://www.madillguitars.co.nz/

After a 20 year hiatus Madill guitars are available again, albeit in limited numbers, made as and when the muse and materials allow. Peter Madill is a craftsman and each Madill guitar is unique.

Maurice Reviol

Web page: http://www.reviol.co.nz

"I've seen, heard and played some of his flutes and they are beautiful instruments for sure."

Sandy Sanderson

Web page: http://www.handmade-tk.com

"I am a luthier in Te Kauwhata, making electric stringed instruments, and I also do repairs on all stringed instruments...I am now making acoustic and electric Dulcimers to order."

Mr Glyn's Guitar Repair

Web page: http://www.mrglyn.blogspot.com/

Glyn Evans
Auckland, New Zealand

Mr Glyn has been a full time luthier for 15 years. An ex-lecturer in Guitar making and Repair at The City of Leeds College of Music in the North of England. He has worked for a huge array of musicians from well known pros to complete beginners.

The String Workshop

Web page: http://www.stringoworkshop.co.nz

"It is my firm belief that within any field of expertise, one must strive to be the best and do so through a continual process of research and study. My education therefore continues to be an exciting and ongoing process which will last a life-time. Working on instruments that are older than myself, and will long outlive me is my constant reminder of the huge responsibilty which is undertaken in any restoration process. My intention is therfore to always produce work to the highest of standards, and using the finest materials available."

Philip Whitehead: violin-maker and restorer

Singingwood

Web page: http://www.singingwood.co.nz

Ian Davie is a self taught Luthier working from a small workshop in the coastal Otago estuary village of Purakanui.

Davy Stuart

Web page: http://www.stuart.co.nz/

Full-time instrument maker specialising in "Celtic strings", building a range of mandolins, mandolas, octave mandolins, citterns, bouzoukis, small-bodied guitars and tunable 14",16" & 18" bodhrans. Generally builds instruments to order, though will sometimes have instruments in stock. A truly international client list which includes Tony McManus, Shooglenifty, The Tannahill Weavers, Donal Lunny, Christy Moore, James Keelaghan, Andy Irvine, Chris Newman, Mike Moroney and many more.

Further details, pictures and prices are available on Davy's homepage or:

202 Rocking Horse Road,
Southshore
Christchurch 8062,
New Zealand.
Phone +64 3 388 6667
Email: davy(at)stuart.co.nz

van der Gaag Guitars

Web Page: http://www.vandergaag-guitars.com/en/

The instruments I make are: steel string guitars, bouzoukis, mandolins, citterns, etc.

I made bouzoukis, mandola, mandolins and citterns for about 5 different Celtic bands in the Netherlands and they are quite happy with the instruments.

A year ago I moved back to New Zealand and started making instruments here in NZ.

I also give workshops instrument making and there is a opportunity for accommodation during the course.

Instrument Traders

Alistair's Music

Web page: http://alistairsmusic.wordpress.com/2008/07/21/welcome-to-alistairs-music/

Alistair’s Music specialises in acoustic stringed instruments including banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, guitars, bouzoukis, fiddles, cellos, double bases and violins.

Alistair’s Music is a local musical landmark in Wellington and well known to be a haunt of both local and visiting musicians.

Celtic Connexions

Web page: http://www.celt.co.nz

Celtic Connexions started in Te Aroha in 2004 and has been born out of the need by the owner to obtain local Celtic goods here in New Zealand.

Being a specialist shop, I suppose it was inevitable that a city location was on the cards and so the move was made April 06 and now here we are in Claudlands on the edge of Hamilton city.

I'm passionate about all types of music - a player not just of Highland bagpipes but smallpipes ,whistles and now that I'm learning the Irish Uillean Pipes, has brought a dream come true of 20 years to own and operate a shop.

Visits hame to the old land, and also the sourcing of new products is fun.

And its not just the Scottish stuff thats fun sourcing. Welsh, Irish, Manx, Cornish, Breton and Galician items are on the list too.

Bob Wallace
Celtic Connexions
394 Grey Street
Hamilton
http://www.celt.co.nz
http://www.celtic-connexions.com

Phone /fax 078569501
Co-host with Clive on
Shamrocks and Leprechauns Sat`s 4 to 5 pm
Community Radio Hamilton
1206 AM, 106.7 FM
http://www.communityradio.co.nz
Fax: 0064 78559511

Martin Guitar Shop

Web page: http://www.martinguitarshop.co.nz

"We carry a range of Martin Guitars, priced from $750 to $6,350, from the LXM'Little Martin' through the popular D18 and HD28 models, right up to the stunning Eric Clapton signature model.

"With 12 models in stock and ready access to dozens more at our local Martin distributor, the Martin Guitar Shop is well worth a visit. In fact, we are one of only two music stores in Auckland with such a wide range in stock.

"We recently welcomed Hazel to our team and with her specialist knowledge you can feel confident in getting the right advice in order to make the right choice.

"So, come and browse, have a chat to Hazel and play the guitars for yourself. You'll find us in the Piano Traders music store, 90 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden. (Or you can check us out online!) Our phone numbers are: 09 638-9044, or toll-free 0800 505 003. Hazel's DDI is 09 639-0035."

Mitchell's Bagpipe Centre

Web page: http://www.kilts.co.nz/

A piper for 50 years, I play the highland bagpipe and highland small-pipes. Bagpipes have been my music passion since I was 15. Mainly in pipe bands, but I also have played in many solo piping situations (NZ and overseas) for dancing as well as in Celtic music sessions. For the past 25 years my piping experience has involved being a pipe-major where looking after the setup of bagpipes and reeds for other pipers has been a necessary task. Hence my specialising with this instrument in my business. I supply all the necessities for learners including tuition.

Perfect Pizzazz Ltd.

Web page: http://www.perfectpizzazz.co.nz

After 30 years of playing Dobros, Nationals, Libertys and other resophonic guitars, I have become the new and exclusive dealer/distributor of Republic Guitars in new Zealand. I will primarily only be bringing in the Bell Brass models but all the inventory can be shipping within 6-10 business days for any buyer of any Republic instrument.

Paul Jonson
Managing Director
Perfect Pizzazz Ltd.
PO Box 46
Red Beach 0945
New Zealand
Mobile: 027-561-9876

Twang Town - The Musician's Trading Post

Web page: http://www.twangtown.co.nz/

Owned and operated by Hyram Ballard. He, along with guitar builder and repairer Steve Barkman, sell some of the finest acoustic and electric instruments, amps, PA and recording equipment (retail and trade), as well as a large range of accessories and perform quality repairs. Physically located at 45 Moray Place, Dunedin.