Music Nomad Tools and Courses
Duncan Cruttenden Guitars is an approved Music Nomad distributor and also offers courses in Set-Ups and Fret DressingSetup Course
I offer a 1:1 guitar setup course designed for players who want to better understand and care for their own instruments. This one-day guitar setup training session focuses on how to effectively use the KISS Setup Kit to improve playability, comfort and tone. The course fee is £250.00 and includes the Precision 6-piece Setup Gauge Set, which students take home with them.
Running from 10am to 4pm (with a 1-hour lunch break), this practical and engaging guitar setup course is ideal for players who want to learn the fundamentals of guitar maintenance and develop confidence working on their own gear.
In the morning, we cover how to use the tools, outline the setup process and go through all the necessary pre-setup checks. You’ll then work with a DC Guitars instrument that I’ve intentionally misadjusted, and we’ll explore how to bring it back to a playable condition.
In the afternoon, the focus shifts to your own instrument. You’ll apply what you’ve learned – reviewing the setup, performing the pre-setup tasks and optimising your guitar based on real, hands-on guidance. Whether you’re new to setup work or looking to improve your skills, this guitar setup and maintenance course provides a solid foundation to support your playing and technical understanding.
If you are interested in booking a place please contact me…
Fret Dressing Course
In addition to the Setup Course, I also offer a 1:1 fret dressing course – a full-day, hands-on session designed to teach players how to carry out a professional-quality fret dress on their own guitar. This guitar fretwork course is ideal for musicians looking to gain confidence in maintaining their instrument’s frets and improving overall playability.
The course fee is £250.00 and includes a Diamond Coated, Safe Zone Guitar Fret Crowning File (the S-File), as well as all the sundry materials needed to complete a fret dress on one instrument. Students are welcome to bring their own guitar for the session.
Running from 10am to 4pm (with a 1-hour lunch break), this guitar maintenance training is structured to build both knowledge and hands-on ability. In the morning, we cover the essential tools, discuss the full fret dressing process and go through the necessary pre-tasks. We’ll also assess the frets on the student’s instrument to identify any issues and prepare for the work ahead.
During the afternoon, we complete a full fret dress on the instrument, followed by restringing, final setup checks, intonation adjustments and – of course – playing the guitar to feel the difference. This 1:1 guitar training course offers an invaluable opportunity to learn the skills needed to maintain fret condition, improve playability and extend the life of your instrument.
Here is some feedback from a student who recently took the course…
“I took a fret dressing course with Duncan and it was fantastic. Duncan made the process easy to understand, even for a complete beginner, and provided hands-on-guidance throughout; taking the time to answer questions and help patiently. By the end of the course the guitar I brought in for us to work on which had frets in a dire state, was levelled, crowned and dressed, and playing brilliantly. It’s a must-take for anyone looking to enhance their skills in guitar maintenance and take their guitar setups to the next level. Highly recommended!”
If you are interested in booking a place please contact me…
Build Course
For players seeking the ultimate connection to their instrument, I offer a unique 1:1 guitar making course starting from £2,000. This intensive three-day workshop experience, running from 10am to 4pm with a lunch break each day, allows you to step into the role of the luthier and personally finish the most critical stages of your own custom electric guitar. Focusing on our professional bolt-on models – the Model T, Thinline, or Sovereign Bass – this course offers the perfect balance of artisan craftsmanship and hands-on learning. To ensure a world-class final result, I pre-build and finish the body and neck to your exact specifications, allowing you to take the lead on the bench to bring the instrument to life.
Throughout the three days, you will develop the essential technical skills required to assemble and fine-tune a high-end instrument. We begin with the critical mechanical work of machine head installation and precision bridge and neck alignment, before moving on to the intricate electronics, including the soldering and installation of pickups and control looms. The process continues with professional fret dressing and the precision task of hand-cutting a bespoke bone nut, culminating in a master-level final setup tailored specifically to your playing style and tonal preferences.
This guitar building course is a premier choice for those looking for a comprehensive workshop experience that goes far beyond a standard setup. To ensure you have the skills to maintain your new instrument for a lifetime, the course fee includes both the MusicNomad Precision 6-piece Setup Gauge Set and the Diamond Coated Safe Zone S-File, which you will use during the sessions and take home with you. By the end of the third day, you will leave the workshop not only with a boutique, UK-handbuilt guitar but with the deep technical satisfaction of having completed the build yourself.
If you are interested in booking a place on this build course, please contact me…
Music Nomad Tools
I stock a wide range of Music Nomad Tools including:
- The ‘KEEP IT SIMPLE, SETUP (KISS)’ Kit – Precision Setup Gauge Set – 6 piece
- Diamond Coated Nut Files
- Total Fretboard Care Kit
- Rubber Lined, Dual Bearing Peg Winder – GRIP Winder
- Premium String Cutter – GRIP Cutter
- Premium Guitar Tech Screwdriver and Wrench Set
- Premium Guitar Tech Truss Rod Wrench Set
- Diamond Coated, Safe Zone Guitar Fret Crowning File – S File
- Diamond Coated Fret End Dressing File – E File
For a full list of available tools and latest prices please contact me…
