Turnstone Guitar Company

All I knew of Turnstone guitars was a glowing review while browsing the internet, so I was pleased to meet Rosie and play one of her guitars at the London Guitar Show. We discussed my thoughts and specs for a new guitar, and thus I found myself visiting her workshop, where she reassured me that my quirks and half-formed notions were the basis of a guitar I would treasure. She was right! She guided me through the custom process, helping with details I hadn't even though of. Pictures of various stages of the build sustained me through the long waiting period, until the glorious day came where I went back to collect it.Needless to say, it lived up to and surpassed my expectations. I continue to be delighted. The sound is beautiful, and I learn how to make it sing, helped by it being so friendly and comfortable to play. The workmanship is impeccable; aurally and visually it is a thing of great beauty, and constant reminder of why I love guitars so much. Thank you Rosie and Karl.

I really don't know where to start as every part of my experience was wonderful.If you are looking to invest that bit more into having a guitar that is built for you, then I cannot recommend Turnstone enough.My journey began with some unexpected money from my Mum and one of the things she really enjoyed was listening to me play all the musical instruments I could get hold of but in later years mostly the guitar.I have North American guitars, an Irish guitar etc but something that appealed was to use British tonewoods so after some research I arranged to go and meet Rosie for a chat.I would highly recommend this step. If like me you are a player more than a guitar geek (nothing wrong with either) heading to Lingfield with some guitars that you already own, and like, is a great start.Either in person on remote Rosie will make you feel comfortable and importantly not an idiot, in something that has the potential to be super intimidating. I came away thinking that this was someone who cared about what they did, knew how to steer me to decisions that made sense having listened to me play and cared about me.Build takes around 6 months and there is a fairly long waiting list but it is 100% worth the wait. Rosie checks everything through with you before build starts so there's plenty of room for adjustment; I had found myself playing more in the upper register so we added a scoop cutaway (OMG it's awesome).All along the way communication is both excellent and re-assuring and accompanied by wonderful and informative photos, some of which I have attached to this.All of this of course is nothing without the end product and I highly recommend heading down to collect in person if you can. Rosie is meticulous, providing advice on care, a thermometer and humidifier but above all else, a wonderful instrument.I couldn't be happier. I seriously keep trying to find something wrong and I can't. I have some lovely guitars and now I have one more but there's something very special about this one and I can't express enough how different it feels to have a one of kind, specifically built for you. The playability is exceptional and the sound for a brand new guitar is captivating, and I can't wait to see where the sound goes in time.

Rosie is a true artist. Her craftsmanship is top notch. I was looking for a bog oak guitar and after consulting with Rosie I opted for an all English guitar. Rosie walked me through the process and I let her have free rein over the most of the build except for the bog oak and sound port. She did not disappoint. Rosie is responsive, easy to work with and very professional. I live in the US and it took a leap of faith to work with from luthier from England but it was never a problem. Thanks, Rosie

Buying a guitar from Turnstone Guitar Company, a.k.a. Rosie Heydenrych, is, dollar for dollar, one of the best buys in fine lutherie today.Rosie and her husband Karl, the dynamic duo who comprise Turnstone Guitar Company, just delivered my TG and I'm blown away by its beauty both physically and sonically. The craftsmanship is superior and with the soundport, I can see inside this guitar and it is every bit as gorgeous as the outside. I could just sit and look at its beauty but as pretty as it is my TG sounds better. It is a well-balanced guitar throughout all registers. The bass is big. The mids strong but what I love are the sonorous trebles. I find myself playing more in frets 7-12 but the guitar sounds great wherever you play it.Rosie's setup is amazing. This is one of the easiest guitars I've ever played. That ease of play translates into increased creativity, a word I would usually not use to describe my playing. So little pressure is needed to get a lovely tone throughout the fretboard.I am just blown away by this guitar. So blown away that I just ordered another Turnstone Guitar.

My new Turnstone TG looks and sounds fantastic. It has simply amazing tone and sustain; both unplugged and with the K&K Trinity Pro I had fitted during the build.It was a pleasure working with both Rosie and Karl throughout the whole process; from the selection of the wood, engagement with the design and build, through to the finishing touches.Between them, their artisanship and creativity have produced a unique instrument incorporating similarly unique pieces of history into the design and build: (All British sourced wood) Ancient Bog Oak body/ Cedar of Lebanon top, with Walnut Neck, and a custom designed rosette using HMS Victory Oak. The finished guitar felt at home in my hands from the moment I first played it in their workshop, and I know that I will enjoy playing it for many years to come.All in all, a unique acoustic guitar that is the product of a unique and enjoyable experience with Turnstone.

In early 2021 I had decided to look for an English Luthier that specialised in building top quality acoustic guitars using UK sourced wood.After some detailed research I contacted Rosie at Turnstone guitars. I visited Rosie’s workshop where we spent a few hours talking through what I was looking for and types of music I played. I particularly wanted a 12 fret guitar.Rosie is very easy to work with and has a wealth of knowledge, recommending the TM body size with Apple back and sides and a Yew soundboard. I will admit that the wait for my build slot seemed like a distant dream, but at the start of 2023, Rosie contacted me to tell me she was starting my guitar. We collaborated on the inlay design and Rosie kept me informed about each stage of the build process, with images emailed over to me.Was it worth the wait, absolutely, Rosie’s skill as a guitar builder is right at the top of the tree and I am blown away not only by the sound of my Turnstone guitar but also the look, fit and finish. The bracing inside is a work of art.My very special guitar sings in alternate tunings and I could not be happier. Thank you Rosie.

Astonishing workmanship and attention to detail on my all English woods guitar. The image of the Uffington White Horse at the 12th fret is a nod to the fact that people were digging it into a hillside around the time the oak was a living tree around 3000 years ago before being submerged in the Fens to become bog oak. The combination of bog oak back and sides with a yew top sounds great!

Rosie is a true craftsperson and amazing to work with! She built me an all English wood, small body guitar with a neck with the exact measurement of my pre-war 000-18 Martin. I cannot tell the difference between the two guitar necks. The sound, articulation, dynamics, sustain and playability of this instrument is better than any other new guitar I have played from either a large brand or boutique builders. The collaboration process with Rosie was a joy! She not only knows woods, guitar construction, but she can translate her knowledge into terms that a musician can understand and make decisions from to get an instruments than no only meets, but exceeds what is in their head. It was such a great process and the resulting instrument is stunning. Every person that has played it, starts playing and is all smiles within seconds of playing the first notes. I cannot wait until I can work with her again on another build. I highly recommend Rosie, the process and her instruments.. I play the guitar everyday and it keeps getting better. If you are thinking of a custom build instrument then you should certainly talk with Rosie.

the entire process from making contact, spec-ing the guitar, choosing woods, receiving in process photos and ultimately receiving the TM guitar was direct and easy. rosie, karl and their team did a remarkable job executing the build of my custom guitar. Turnstone guitars did a great job for me, and i highly recommend them.regardscharlie