Who We Are
Eternal Guitars is a British guitar and pickup company specialising in hand-built, aged electric guitars and vintage-style handmade pickups. Every instrument we build is crafted using only the highest quality components, our own custom pickups, and genuine nitrocellulose lacquer — delivering the tone, feel, and look of the golden era of guitar making.
Rooted in tradition, built with precision, and aged with character, our guitars are designed for players who value soul as much as sound.
What we do
We build aged electric guitars based on classic designs from the 1950s and 1960s. From vintage-correct recreations to custom-spec dream builds, each Eternal instrument is hand-crafted in Britain to be as playable as it is inspiring.
Alongside our guitars, we offer a full range of handmade replacement pickups — from vintage-style single coils and humbuckers to our own signature designs, all crafted for superior tone.
Built by Hand. Aged to Perfection.
All of our guitars and basses are made using:
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Lightweight, premium tonewoods (ash, alder, mahogany)
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High-end hardware from Gotoh, Kluson, and Callaham
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Genuine nitrocellulose lacquer, aged to taste
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Our own handwound pickups
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Traditional construction techniques — no shortcuts, no two-pack finishes
We carry a curated selection of stock guitars and basses, but we also welcome custom builds. Viewings are by appointment at our Chichester workshop, or instruments can be purchased directly through the website.
Custom Builds & Specs
Neck Shape & Feel:
We offer necks shaped to your preferred back profile and radius, using high-quality Dunlop or Jescar fretwire and vintage-style clay dot markers. All are finished in ultra-thin vintage-tinted nitro, aged to your specification.
Fretwork:
While many of our stock guitars use a vintage-correct 7.25” radius, we also offer 9.5", 12", and compound options. Likewise, we can fit vintage-style wire, medium jumbo, or any fret size that suits your playing style.
Body Wood & Weight:
Our stock builds use two-piece bodies for balance and tone. Lightweight one-piece bodies are available as a premium option, as are chambered or weight-relieved designs. Custom wood choices available on request.
Hardware:
We use steel bridge plates with brass or steel saddles (T-style), and vintage-style vibrato units (S-style). Tuners are lightweight, vintage-style split-posts from Gotoh or Kluson. All hardware is aged to match the wear level of the instrument.
Electronics:
All guitars feature handwound Eternal Guitars pickups, Switchcraft/CRL switches, CTS pots, and Orange Drop capacitors. Wiring is vintage-style cloth, and covers are aged to match.
Nuts:
Hand-cut bone is standard, chosen for tone and longevity. Other materials can be discussed — with the exception of plastic, brass, or aluminium.
The Eternal Ageing Process
We specialise in capturing the look and feel of a well-loved, well-played instrument. Whether it’s light patina or heavy road wear, our ageing process uses only period-correct materials and techniques — including genuine nitrocellulose paints, lacquers, and cellulose-based grain fillers. No poly, no shortcuts.
We can recreate subtle checking, arm wear, buckle rash, and beyond — all while ensuring the instrument plays flawlessly. Every scratch tells a story. Every mark is intentional.
Vintage Repairs & Restoration
While my main focus is on building new instruments, I continue to offer vintage restoration and maintenance work when time permits. If you’ve got an original instrument in need of expert care — from a sympathetic refret to a full structural restoration — feel free to get in touch. I treat vintage guitars with the same respect and attention to detail as my own builds.
Meet the maker
I’m Dave Walsh — luthier, pickup winder, and founder of Eternal Guitars.
My journey started in the late ‘80s when I bought my first cheap electric guitar and immediately began tinkering. I landed a job on Denmark Street, London, and later apprenticed under master luthier Graham Noden in his (notoriously murky) basement workshop.
After five dusty years, I joined Guitar Magazine, where I wrote the "Guitar Doctor" column and reviewed gear. I later worked at the Guitar Institute in West London before co-owning a music shop and running a busy repair workshop in South London.
Eventually, I moved to the south coast and began building guitars full-time. In 2010, with the help of a good friend, Eternal Guitars was born — with a clear mission: to build vintage-inspired instruments with soul, tone, and professional craftsmanship.
Since 2019, I’ve focused exclusively on building guitars and pickups from my dedicated workshop in Chichester, West Sussex — although I still take on select restoration projects when time allows.
Get in Touch
If you'd like to commission a custom guitar, enquire about a restoration, book a visit to the workshop, or just chat tone and specs — we’d love to hear from you.