Bron’s Workshop
String instrument repairs and custom builds
Location: I am based in Mparntwe/Alice Springs and am currently taking on repair work by appointment at my workshop on Hele Cres, Ciccone.
Hours: I am at the bench and available for appointments most weekdays and some weekends. I prefer appointments to drop ins, as I currently have many customers coming and going, and also some very focus intensive repair jobs. An appointment ensures that I can thoroughly assess your instrument without interruptions, and provide a reliable quote before commencing work. I also like to make a short (5-10 min) appointment with you on collection, so that you can test out your instrument and make sure you are 100% satisfied.
Money story: All work is quoted for in a thorough initial assessment. I take payment on collection by card, cash, paypal or payID.
Parts: I keep most regular replacement parts and strings on hand. I may ask for a deposit when ordering custom parts in. Rock City is an amazing and invaluable institution in this town, and I prefer to support buying parts from them wherever possible.
Turnaround times: Restrings – 1 day or while you wait (I work next to the Roastery… go get a coffee and a biscuit!!), setups – 4 working days, all other work by assessment.
Hi, I’m Bron. I am a guitar technician and violin maker with 16 years of professional experience in instrument repair, modification and construction. I love everything about playing, fixing and making stringed instruments.
I am experienced in working on all kinds of guitars, basses, banjos, mandolins, violins, cellos and violas, and am confident in taking on repairs for just about any stringed instrument in existence. I can help you with setups, restrings, electronic repairs, fretwork, glue-ups, making new parts and much more – just try me. I am proud to offer an extremely professional quality of service, however I am passionate about salvaging instruments from the fire where possible and can usually “just get it going” on a budget if that is all you need. I understand that playability and tone are highly subjective, so all of my work is customised to specific player requirements. Above all, I will listen to your needs, and do my best to help you achieve your musical dreams!
My professional career was laid out almost at birth. I am very lucky to have been born with a master luthier for a father! I apprenticed under Richard “Clyde” Watkins from 2010, and we worked together at Big Music (Sydney) for eight years on all manner of fretted music machines.
I moved on to Sydney String Centre in 2018, where I “bridged” the divide to become an experienced orchestral string instrument repairer. I learned how to make violins with this incredible company under their label “Glanville and Co.” In 2022 I was sponsored by them to study in Germany with master violin makers Hagen Weisse, Klaus Clement and Aleks Pilz. I continue to make violins for Glanville and Co., from my new (humidified!) desert studio.
In 2024 I completed my first acoustic guitar build with master guitar maker Gerard Gilet. In 2025 I completed my first custom designed “from scratch” six string cello-violin, the “Mezzitone”. I was commissioned to build an instrument with a violin scale length that could play as low as a cello (yes really!), and it totally worked! Check it out on Instagram here.
Finally, I am a passionate musician and am currently playing with bands Golden Orb, Spindles and Moongaze. I’m always trying to use lutherie creatively to extend my own music projects, and I am grateful to be able to use my experience as a performing musician to make instruments better. I look forward to making your instrument play and sound better too!
(Pictured: me and my first handmade “from scratch” guitar)
Bron's Workshop 