At the beginning…

Robin has always enjoyed making things – as a lifelong surfer he has almost always made his own surfboards – so it was only natural that when he started playing acoustic guitar, he wanted to make his own. 

Equipped with some rudimentary knowledge of woodworking from school and a few tools at home, Robin began this venture, using a friend’s Gibson steel string as a guide. Using timber from timberyards, New Guinea rosewood for the back and sides, spruce for the soundboard and traditional hot hide glue to hold the assembled parts together – advice he had garnered from Greg Smallman in the early stages of his luthiery career. By 1973, Robin had constructed his first 3 guitars.

During his time, Robin was becoming increasingly interested in folk music. It was at his favourite folk club that he met Jim Jarvis who took a particular liking to Robin’s guitars and ended up recording his album “Outskirts of Town,” on one of them. This was a powerful encouragement for Robin to pursue his guitar making, and so, in early 1976 he ventured to America to attend the School of Guitar Research and Design, also known as Earthworks, to learn more. 

Whilst there, Robin was able to construct his own guitar under the tutelage of Charles Fox. Throughout this process he gained a colossal amount of new information and skills, as well as a stunning new guitar that he still plays today. 

Upon returning to Sydney Robin was soon commissioned by the then owner of Guitar City, Mike Davidson, to make a guitar. Robin set up shared workshop with Jim Williams, a dear friend and graduate of Earthworks, in the rooms next to Guitar City. The two were very quickly over-run with repair work, in addition to a steady stream of orders for their own line of guitars. 

Whilst working here Robin pursued further study at Sydney Technical College to gain his French Polishing Trade Certificate. This course gave Robin a thorough understanding and experience of the range of materials and techniques used for furniture finishing, enabling him to provide exceptional finishes on his own guitars, as well as restoration and repair on others. 

The setting, next to a bustling Guitar City with new owners Elly and Doug Loyd Jones, was a musical and exciting time. He greatly enjoyed working with Jim and they each benefitted greatly through their exchange of knowledge, experience and ideas.  

Fast forward…

Today, Robin specialises in making steel string acoustic and classical guitars out of his own workshop in Nowra, NSW.

Most of Robins guitars are made to order and a select few are sold on to Concert Classical Guitars in Paris.

Robin also conducts guitar repairs on a number of acoustic and classical guitars. Read more about the services offered here. You can also hear a Robin Moyes Guitar on the Listen page and get a close up look through the Gallery.