COURSES

Whether it’s setting up your guitar, pulling old frets or even building a guitar from scratch, I have the perfect courses for you. Join me in my beautiful workshop in the Somerset countryside for some intimate, face to face tuition and enjoy some pure guitar indulgence.

CONTACT US FOR AVAILABILTY

“Josh is a fabulous teacher and super generous when sharing his knowledge. Having only carpentry experience before me, I cannot recommend strongly enough booking some time with Josh to level up your skills. 10/10 from a satisfied customer.”

Stuart Glassbury, ex-student, UK

“Josh immediately stood out to me as a benevolent, knowledgeable, and determined instructor. He was able to dissect seemingly complex concepts in the art of guitar building and make them easy to conceptualise. He ensures that students have the right information, including clever tips and tricks to make tasks feel more controlled. I highly recommend him both as a teacher and as a guitar builder.”

Sven Sandstrom, ex-student, USA

“I’m still in shock that under Josh’s expert (and oh so patient) guidance I built my first ever guitar. From wood choice through to finishing, the skills and knowledge gained from time in his company will stay with me forever. A truly beautiful setting, so great in fact that I’m booking in for a set up course. The only thing you will regret is not doing it.”

Ian Gregory, ex-student, UK

Accommodation is available and you will receive a 10% discount on both courses if you bring a friend with you.

SETUP COURSE

Starts from £300

1 DAY

BOOK NOW
  • Adjust your truss rod
  • Cut nut slots and shape the nut
  • Adjust your action
  • Set your intonation
  • Configure pickup heights
  • Cut a nut from scratch

REWIRING COURSE

Starts from £300

1 DAY

BOOK NOW
  • Swap out pickups
  • Rewire your instrument
  • Mod your electronics

REFRET COURSE

Starts from £600

2 DAY

BOOK NOW
  • Remove your old frets
  • Re-level your fretboard
  • Clean and restore your fretboard
  • Level/bevel/fret-end file/crown/polish your frets

NECK BUILD COURSE

Starts from £900

3 DAY

BOOK NOW
  • Build a neck from scratch
  • Install frets
  • Level/bevel/fret-end file/crown/polish your frets
  • Complete a full setup

FULL BUILD COURSE

The West Valley Guitars 6 Day Electric Guitar Building Course is a hands-on experience designed to teach you how to build a high-quality electric guitar to a professional standard. Based in Josh Stopford’s Somerset workshop, the course is suitable for complete beginners as well as players and technicians looking to better understand how electric guitars are constructed, set up, and maintained. All specialist tools are provided, and no previous experience is required.

Across six focused days, you will be guided through the full build process, from assembly and electronics through to fretwork and final setup. Tuition is delivered in small groups, allowing plenty of personal guidance and time for questions. Josh builds high-end electric guitars for artists including IDLES, The Vaccines, Noah and the Whale, and Alberta Cross, and maintains instruments for The Stranglers, The The, Supergrass, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Massive Attack. Having trained and taught at Europe’s largest guitar building school, he has taught over 100 students, including professional guitar technicians. By the end of the course, you will leave with a fully playable, custom-built guitar and the confidence to look after it properly.

£2300 PER PERSON - BOOK NOW