Cabinet making school

Fern makes a rosetta in a soundboard In 2001 I graduated at an Amsterdam school for cabinet making and woodworking. This was a four years fulltime study. During this course, I made two acoustic guitars and one lapsteel. Also I could start to help with repairing guitars for a guitar shop in Amsterdam, called The String. Even in the years after graduating, I continued to repair for that shop. After working three years as a technician for the Dutch Opera and The Dutch National Ballet, and after building a new guitar, I decided to start as a guitar builder.

Starting the workshop

The workshop called Fern's Guitars And Parts was started in January 2005 in Haarlem, nearby Amsterdam.

At an industrial area, called Waarderpolder, production started of the first guitars and lapsteels. Customers knew quickly the way to repairs, parts and of course unique handmade instruments.

Within three years, the workshop grew to become a professional place for repairs and custom guitars. In a Dutch article you can read where the name 'Fern' comes from...

Fern glues bracings on a soundboard

Moving of the workshop

A huge fire was burning in the building where the workshop was, at first of January 2008. After a week of doubts, people could finally see the damage from inside. Two big companies have been completely destroyed, and many small companies had lots of damage. As by a miracle, Fern's Guitars did not suffer from any material damage. The building was of course not usable for work anymore, so everybody had to find a new place to start. A space was found around February 2008 in the center of Amsterdam. Fern's Guitars shares a small but comfortable space with Jongkind & Janselijn (fine woodworking). This gives an excellent cooperation. Click here for the address.