The short story
High Country Guitars Australia in Mansfield, Victoria is a classical and acoustic guitar builder and school specialising in handmade guitars built from Australian tonewoods. High Country Guitars was founded by David Hole in 2016. From a technology engineering background, and lifelong lover of music and craft, in 2016 David began on his long journey towards becoming a luthier. After building his first classical guitar under the tutelage of Chris Wynne, master luthier and former owner of Thomas Lloyd Guitars, David became determined to found his own studio and school to pass on the skills and joy he found building Australian tonewood guitars.
A former engineer, David feels strongly that his lutherie development will never end. He is continually seeking new techniques to refine his craft and teaching. Always trying a new instrument build or finishing approach and adding to his skills. As of 2025, David is currently exploring smaller bodied acoustic guitars such as Parlours and Requintos.
David is passionate about the construction of traditionally built guitars from Australian timber, carefully voiced and built to both look and sound wonderful.
David Hole
Founder and Principal Luthier / teacher
Dr Rachel Badlan
Luthier and teacher
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Both Rachel and David play classical guitar (although not as much or as well as they would like) and compose and arrange their own music. They both encourage lutherie students to take time in planning their guitar to make it a unique and beautiful instrument to give them years of pleasure for both their ears and their eyes.