Hi, my name is Jens, welcome to the world of luthiery. I thought I’d share a little bit about myself and my passion.
I have an extensive background in fine woodwork, cabinetry and luthiery, spanning almost 25 years in the business. When it comes to making and crafting things, my medium of choice has always been timber.
I started my cabinetmaking apprenticeship in a shop with only five people. Over the years I was there, it grew into a renowned cabinetry and exhibition fit out business with around 40 staff. I gained valuable skills in fine furniture making, spray painting, museum and commercial fit outs, show case building and a million other things in between. I built and installed exhibitions all over Australia as well as China and Thailand.
However I knew one day I would have my own business and my time to shine was coming – it was my turn to be my own boss and J Design was born. I wanted to share my ideas of contemporary fine furniture design, create bespoke one off pieces and never look back! Reality was a little bit different. Although I made a number of fine custom pieces, most of my customers were interested in kitchen and bathroom renovations. Despite the demand and the money, I was missing something, this isn’t what I wanted J Design to be.
What I really wanted to do was make guitars. For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of building acoustic guitars, using my craft to make instruments that look and sound amazing.
My dream started to come true when I snapped my Achilles tendon, a full rupture requiring surgery and I was forced to take time out from kitchens. This was my chance, as soon as I could walk in the moon boot, I hobbled around my workshop and made my first acoustic guitar. I was hooked. I couldn’t say if it was the pain killers or the craft, but I knew as soon as I started there was something mystical and captivating about making guitars and this is what I had been searching for.
There are so many elements involved in building an instrument, you could spend a lifetime studying and still not know all the answers. This is what intrigues and challenges me more than anything else that I have ever done. It’s my obsession. The quest for knowledge and perfection as a luthier will, without a doubt, be something I will do for the rest of my life.
Jens
my workshop