Turnstone Guitar Company

Turnstone Guitar Company Beautifully handcrafted guitars made in England. Commissioning a custom guitar means you get to define the sound, look and feel of your guitar.

At Turnstone Guitar Company we're determined to craft some of the highest quality handmade acoustic guitars in England. To us the guitar is an ever-evolving instrument and we're constantly innovating to advance the tone, playability and aesthetics. Crafting it by hand means we get to ensure it's built to the highest possible standard.

22/10/2025

Saturday 1 November 2025, 2pm to 6pm at our workshop in Lye Green, TN6 1UX. We would love to have you with us. Spaces are very limited so if you would like to join us please email [email protected] right away. First come first served!

18/10/2025

Watch the full session with the super talented on YouTube now! Link in bio.

13/10/2025

Watch the full session with the incredible on YouTube now! Link in bio.

A closer look at the very first Select Series guitars.Built in limited runs of five, each TG model is individually hand-...
12/09/2025

A closer look at the very first Select Series guitars.

Built in limited runs of five, each TG model is individually hand-voiced, crafted with sustainable woods, and finished with the same attention to detail as our custom builds.

Swipe through to explore the design, the finer details, and the tonewoods that makes this new chapter so exciting.

Hear them played and learn more via the link in the comments.

Martin’s new Turnstone is a TM model with Katalox (Mexican Royal Ebony) back and sides, paired with an Adirondack spruce...
06/09/2025

Martin’s new Turnstone is a TM model with Katalox (Mexican Royal Ebony) back and sides, paired with an Adirondack spruce soundboard. Both the katalox and the ebony used for the fretboard and bridge are FSC-certified, while the neck is crafted from English-grown sycamore.

For playability, Martin specified a 45 mm nut with a notably wide 61.25 mm saddle spacing, a combination that makes for a unique feel under the hands. His brief was for an instrument that would be articulate, direct, and utterly unforgiving, and that’s exactly what we set out to build.

Did we manage it? Watch the full build and handover on our YouTube channel [link in comments below].

After nearly a year of ideas, sketches, choices and countless hours at the bench, it all comes down to this one unforget...
05/09/2025

After nearly a year of ideas, sketches, choices and countless hours at the bench, it all comes down to this one unforgettable moment. The final episode of our Martin Simpson build series captures the handover, when Martin meets his guitar for the very first time. His reaction, his playing, and the sound of this new Turnstone are now live to watch.

See the full film on our YouTube channel. Link in the comments below.

Jim’s Reaction to His New Turnstone GuitarWords from the man himself! 👇“Alright guys here it is! I am so happy to have t...
26/07/2025

Jim’s Reaction to His New Turnstone Guitar

Words from the man himself! 👇

“Alright guys here it is! I am so happy to have this wonderfully built built by Rosie and Karl Heydenrych. An absolutely lovely couple who hail from southern England.

I came to Rosie with the idea to build a guitar that I could hand down through future generations. With a rosette style in the theme of the painted turtle that is so prevalent in the rivers and streams here in Minnesota. She took on the job without hesitation, and was keen to make sure I got what I wanted through every step of the process.

I would describe her as a player’s maker. She really took the time to get to know me, my play style, and even my family! Many of the custom options that are packed into this guitar came from those collaborations. I had so much fun! If I was unsure, she was sure to guide through the process with a steady hand. Through Rosie’s incredible design sense, and impeccable woodworking skills. Coupled along with Karl’s excellent finishing with the gloss body and the satin neck. I am incredibly pleased. This guitar looks nice and the pictures don’t do it justice, but it sounds even better than it looks!”

Karl and I feel so fortunate to have worked with you too Jim and we’re so happy this guitar is yours ☺️

Building Jim’s Dream Acoustic Guitar: The Final RevealHere it is, the finished TG model we built for Jim, designed with ...
25/07/2025

Building Jim’s Dream Acoustic Guitar: The Final Reveal

Here it is, the finished TG model we built for Jim, designed with a strong focus on playability, feel, and personal detail. 🐢

Jim comes from mostly electric guitar playing, so attention to neck was a key part of the brief. We built this guitar with a 45mm nut, slightly wider than our standard, and adjusted it to a wider than standard string spacing within that, giving a more open, comfortable feel for Jim. The satin finished neck profile transitions from a soft V at the nut into a gentle C shape further down, offering a smooth, familiar feel under the hand.

This is our Grand Auditorium body shape with a Florentine cutaway and 14 fret neck join, giving full access further up the neck. The soundboard is English Yew, paired with Macassar Ebony back and sides for a clear, focused tone with strong note separation. Features wise, Jim opted for a comfort arm bevel and a side soundport.

The neck is mahogany, with a solid headstock fitted with Gotoh 510 tuners and custom Koa buttons to match the purfling detail. The fretboard, bridge, and binding are all Macassar Ebony, and the fretboard features our inlaid stone markers in yellow, chosen to complement the Satinwood used in the turtle-inspired rosette (see yesterdays post for more info on that!).

A guitar built for feel, tone, and connection. Check in tomorrow to see what Jim has said about his new guitar!

Jim’s Custom Guitar, Build HighlightsJim approached me to build him a special guitar, one he hopes to eventually pass on...
24/07/2025

Jim’s Custom Guitar, Build Highlights

Jim approached me to build him a special guitar, one he hopes to eventually pass on to his children as a family heirloom. From the start, one thing was clear, he wanted it to include a subtle personal detail connected to his last name, Turtle.

We found inspiration in the painted turtle which is native to North America, where Jim is from. We designed a custom rosette that reflects the striking patterning of the Turtle underbelly in a quiet, meaningful way.

Jim selected English yew for the soundboard, a less common wood that I love working with for its character and tone, paired with Macassar ebony for the back and sides, chosen for both its rich look and sound.

Swipe through to see some of the build progress: the raw yew top, Macassar back plates, body assembly, and the rosette taking shape.

Next up, we’ll show you the finished article!

Here’s Danielle’s custom Turnstone guitar to celebrate 40 years as a professional musician ❤️ This was a true collaborat...
02/07/2025

Here’s Danielle’s custom Turnstone guitar to celebrate 40 years as a professional musician ❤️ This was a true collaboration from start to finish.

Danielle decided on our mid sized TM model, featuring a 12-fret design and a classic slotted headstock.

The back and sides are made from richly flamed Tasmanian Blackwood, paired with a Swiss moon spruce soundboard for a clear, balanced tone.

The neck is also Tasmanian Blackwood, with an ultra-thin, flat D profile that harks back to what Danielle is used to on her classical guitars, to ensure comfort and familiarity.

Danielle worked closely with us to design the rosette, choosing shimmering mother of pearl to adorn the custom bird inlays which is also mirrored on the fretboard.

So what did Danielle think? Stay tuned for a full YouTube video with her first impressions and a special song she wrote just for her new instrument - coming soon!

This guitar was commissioned to mark 40 years of professional musicianship — a milestone that deserves something truly u...
01/07/2025

This guitar was commissioned to mark 40 years of professional musicianship — a milestone that deserves something truly unique.

We’ll share photos of the finished instrument tomorrow, but for now, here’s a look behind the scenes at some of the moments that brought it to life. From raw timber to fine detailing, each stage tells part of the story.

It’s always an honour to be trusted with a commission like this — not just to build an instrument, but to help mark a life in music.

The Select Series is coming…..More news to follow soon!
25/06/2025

The Select Series is coming…..

More news to follow soon!













Address

Newchapel

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+441342545005

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