Musical instrument makers build, repair and restore musical instruments. They can also adjust or alter them according to musicians' requirements. For someone who loves music and acoustics, this is a fascinating and highly varied job.

Musical instruments are made from combinations of different woods, plastics and metals. You will design and make instrument parts, using specially selected materials and techniques similar to those used in cabinet making, metal pipe making, silver smithing and wood carving. You will learn to install electrical wiring, assemble and glue parts together, attach strings as necessary and tune instruments.

You will need to be able to play instruments (at least at a basic level) to test for tonal defects and advise customers about the acoustic properties of their instruments.

Building and repairing each type of instrument requires a unique skill set. You may like to specialise in one instrument or in a range of instruments, such as stringed, electronic, brass, woodwind or percussion.