Visiting Nick Branwell – The Guitar Luthier
As a guitar teacher based in Epsom, I enjoy meeting other people involved in the guitar world, from performers and teachers to guitar makers and repair specialists. Students and fellow guitarists often ask me where they can have their instruments repaired, set up or simply looked over by somebody knowledgeable and trustworthy. Today, I discovered another excellent local resource that I am very happy to recommend.
Today I had the pleasure of meeting Nick Branwell, a guitar maker who builds instruments in his workshop in Southfields, South West London.
I contacted Nick because one of the tuning machines on my classical guitars had failed and I needed a replacement. Nick kindly agreed to see me despite the scorching 35°C heat outdoors. It was still well over 30°C inside his workshop, but that did not stop him from replacing my tuners, showing me a quick and efficient method for restringing a classical guitar and sharing some valuable tips. For many guitarists, tying strings neatly at both the bridge and tuner end can be a bit of a nightmare, so learning a few tricks from an experienced luthier was greatly appreciated.
We spent some time chatting about all things guitar-related, including how Nick designs and builds his instruments. He also showed me two of his beautiful handmade classical guitars – one with a cedar top and the other with a spruce top. I believe the spruce-topped guitar is currently for sale. It has particularly gorgeous back and sides, complemented by a beautifully French-polished top. It is certainly a very attractive instrument and a testament to Nick’s craftsmanship.
One thing that struck me was Nick’s passion for his craft. It is always inspiring to meet people who dedicate so much time and care to making musical instruments by hand. His workshop is full of tools, timber and works in progress, and you quickly get the impression that every guitar leaving the workshop has been built with considerable thought and attention to detail.
I am writing this to share some good news with local guitarists. There is a highly skilled guitar luthier not far from Epsom – only about a 30-minute drive away, with most of the journey being along the A3. Parking is straightforward, making it an easy trip for anyone needing repairs, maintenance, advice or perhaps even a bespoke instrument.
Whether your classical guitar needs new tuners, your acoustic guitar requires a setup, or you simply want to speak with someone who genuinely understands guitars and their construction, Nick is certainly worth contacting. And who knows, perhaps one day he might even build a guitar especially for you.
You can read more about Nick and his work on his website: www.branwellguitars.co.uk
For me, visits like this are one of the pleasures of being involved in the guitar world. There is always something new to learn, whether from concert performers, teachers, fellow enthusiasts or talented craftspeople such as Nick. Sharing these discoveries with my students and readers feels like a natural extension of teaching and hopefully helps connect local guitarists with some wonderful people and resources.
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If you’d like to start guitar lessons, I’d love to hear from you. I teach from my home studio in Epsom, welcoming students from Ewell, Stoneleigh, Worcester Park, Ashtead, Chessington, Banstead, Surbiton and New Malden.
For those further afield, I also offer Zoom and FaceTime lessons and currently teach students in different cities and even countries. Even many of my local students choose webcam lessons when their schedule is tight, making learning more flexible and accessible.