JON SHUKER · INDEPENDENT LUTHIER · EST. 1995
Built around
your sound.
An instrument should feel like it belongs to you.
Handcrafted basses and guitars, made in the Peak District.
MADE FOR
INDIVIDUAL VOICES.
THE MAKER & THE PLAYERS
One workshop.
Distinctive voices.
Jon builds each instrument in the Hope Valley. Discover the maker behind the work and two of the players whose instruments show what he can do.
THE SHUKER BUILD ARCHIVE
Find the one that
starts your idea.
Customers often come to Jon with a photograph and say, “I’d like something along these lines.” Browse previous builds, save the reference number and tell Jon what you would make your own.
Swipe to see more instrument types →
Showing 8 of 19 photographed builds. Each is an individual instrument Jon can discuss with you.
FROM JON’S ORIGINAL ARCHIVE
Explore the full bass collection.
Hundreds of previous builds, grouped by model. Open a photograph and use its reference number when you contact Jon.
Browse all 330 archive photographs
Swipe to see more instrument types →
Showing 24 of 330 archive photographs
JON SHUKER / AT THE WORKBENCHTHE MAKER
Made with purpose.
Built by Jon.
Jon Shuker built his first guitar on an old pub table in a shared house in Sheffield. Engineering studies sparked the curiosity. Making instruments became the calling.
Today, his Hope Valley workshop brings together decades of experience and a deeply personal approach. The shape of a neck. The weight on a strap. The response under your fingers. These are the details that turn an instrument into your instrument.
INDEPENDENT MAKER
HANDCRAFTING SINCE 1995
THE PLAYERS
From this workshop.
To the world’s stages.
Individual instruments for individual players. Meet some of the musicians who have made Shuker part of their sound.
ADAM CLAYTON / U2A CUSTOM BUILD FOR
Adam Clayton.
U2
For U2’s Adam Clayton, Jon created a custom Shuker P Bass. From a small workshop in the Hope Valley to a player known around the world, this build is a proud part of the Shuker story. Explore the photographs below to see the instrument in detail.
Adam Clayton’s custom P Bass.
Five views of the instrument, from headstock to body.
2 of 5 photographs
J J BURNEL / THE STRANGLERS · PHOTO: KATIE ANDREWA LONG-RUNNING COLLABORATION
J J Burnel.
THE STRANGLERS
J J Burnel’s driving, melodic bass has been central to The Stranglers for decades. When he wanted a British-built instrument that could improve on the feel and response of his familiar P Bass, he turned to Jon Shuker. Their work grew into a signature range: the original Signature, the lighter Signature Lite and the chambered Zenith.
The Zenith pairs a chambered alder body with a roasted flame maple neck and an in-house wound pickup. It reflects the kind of detailed collaboration Jon brings to every commission: preserving what a player loves while solving what holds them back.
J J Burnel’s Zenith.
Six views of the signature bass, from the complete instrument to the hardware.
2 of 6 photographs
“Jon Shuker was equal to the challenge.”
J J BURNEL · READ J J’S STORY ↗
Simon Rix
A custom bass introduced through fellow Shuker player J J Burnel.
Freddie Cowan
Custom guitars shaped around the feel and sound of his playing.
Read the Player Stories & Testimonials“The quality of Jon’s work blew me away”
THE INSTRUMENTS
A character
of its own.
Classic inspiration or a shape that breaks convention. Find your starting point, then make it yours.
THE BUILD GALLERY
Different players.
Different possibilities.
A closer look at individual Shuker builds. Explore complete instruments, distinctive finishes and the details that make each one its own.
3 of 7 photographs
Guitars with their own voice.
2 of 5 photographs
AT THE WORKBENCH
Made by hand. Seen up close.
2 of 3 photographs
READY TO PLAY
Available instruments.
Completed basses with original photographs and a full specification for each one. Choose the instrument that interests you, then ask Jon to confirm it is still available.
Explore all available instruments
SHUKER STOCK · CONFIRM AVAILABILITY
4 String Artist Pro Fretless
£2,500A chambered fretless with a spalted maple top, ebony board and Headway piezo system.
SHUKER STOCK · CONFIRM AVAILABILITY
4 String Singlecut Headless
£3,200A headless singlecut in transparent blue, with flamed sycamore and Seymour Duncan Blackout pickups.
SHUKER STOCK · CONFIRM AVAILABILITY
4 String Horn Bass
£2,400A turquoise burst Horn with myrtlewood burr, stainless frets and custom-wound Aaron Armstrong pickups.
SHUKER STOCK · CONFIRM AVAILABILITY
4 String Singlecut Bass
£2,400A 26-fret singlecut with figured maple, carbon fibre rear wrap and a crystallised red and black finish.
BUILT TOGETHER
It starts with you.
A custom instrument is a collaboration. Your ideas and Jon’s experience, brought together at the workbench.
The conversation
Your sound, your playing style and what feels right. Start with a model you love or an idea you have yet to see.
The details
Explore woods, construction, neck feel, electronics and finish. Agree the specification and quote with Jon.
The making
Your choices become an instrument, shaped, assembled and finished in the Hope Valley workshop.
PLANNING YOUR BUILD
Shuker price guide.
Published starting prices from Jon’s original guide. Woods, hardware, electronics, construction and other choices affect your final quote.
Uberhorn
From £2,400 · View shapes & prices
Uberhorn
From £2,400 · View shapes & prices
Uberhorn headstock
- Bolt-on neck
- From £2,400
- Set neck
- From £3,200
- Through neck
- From £3,600
Horn
From £1,800 · View shapes & prices
Horn
From £1,800 · View shapes & prices
Headstock option 1
- Bolt-on neck
- From £1,800
- Set neck
- From £2,400
- Through neck
- From £2,600
Headstock option 2
- Bolt-on neck
- From £1,900
- Set neck
- From £2,500
- Through neck
- From £2,700
Singlecut
From £1,850 · View shapes & prices
Singlecut
From £1,850 · View shapes & prices
Headstock option 1
- Bolt-on neck
- From £1,850
- Set neck
- From £2,450
- Through neck
- From £2,700
Headstock option 2
- Bolt-on neck
- From £2,150
- Set neck
- From £2,750
- Through neck
- From £3,000
Series 2
From £1,800 · View shapes & prices
Series 2
From £1,800 · View shapes & prices
Headstock option 1
- Bolt-on neck
- From £1,800
- Set neck
- From £2,400
- Through neck
- From £2,600
Headstock option 2
- Bolt-on neck
- From £1,900
- Set neck
- From £2,500
- Through neck
- From £2,700
Artist
From £1,900 · View shapes & prices
Artist
From £1,900 · View shapes & prices
Artist headstock
- Bolt-on neck
- From £1,900
- Set neck
- From £2,600
- Through neck
- From £2,700
P Bass
From £1,700 · View shapes & prices
P Bass
From £1,700 · View shapes & prices
P Bass headstock
- Bolt-on neck
- From £1,700
- Set neck
- From £2,400
- Through neck
- From £2,600
J Bass
From £1,700 · View shapes & prices
J Bass
From £1,700 · View shapes & prices
Traditional body
- Bolt-on neck
- From £1,700
- Set neck
- From £2,400
- Through neck
- From £2,600
Classic body
- Bolt-on neck
- From £1,700
- Set neck
- From £2,400
- Through neck
- From £2,600
Custom body
- Bolt-on neck
- From £1,700
- Set neck
- From £2,400
- Through neck
- From £2,600
Custom body, alternate headstock
- Bolt-on neck
- From £1,800
- Set neck
- From £2,500
- Through neck
- From £2,700
J J Burnel signature basses
From £2,200 · View the three models
J J Burnel signature basses
From £2,200 · View the three models
These body and headstock drawings are from Jon’s guide. Prices are published starting figures; confirm the current price and exact specification with Jon.
THE WORKSHOP
Learn the craft.
Look after your sound.
The same knowledge behind every Shuker build, shared through hands-on courses and specialist instrument care.
GUITAR & BASS BUILDING
Make something
you’ll play for years.
Build an instrument with Jon’s guidance. Introductory and one-to-one courses welcome complete beginners, with projects planned around the course and your ideas.
Setups & Repairs
From action and intonation to fretwork, electronics and modifications. Get your instrument playing as it should.
Maintenance Courses
Understand the adjustments behind a well-set-up instrument. Learn about fretwork, truss rods, action and intonation.
EverTune Installation
Professional installation from a preferred EverTune installer. Talk to Jon about suitability for your guitar.
COURSE DATES & DETAILS
Your time at the workbench.
Choose a build course or learn to look after the instruments you already own. Contact Jon to confirm dates and reserve a place.
FOLLOW JON ON INSTAGRAM
See what’s on
the workbench.
Fresh builds, figured woods and the work between the first cut and the final string. Follow Jon for the latest from the workshop.
Follow @shukerbassguitars
%20in%20the%20Shuker%20build%20gallery%20and%20would%20like%20to%20discuss%20an%20instrument%20with%20a%20similar%20feel%20or%20look.%0A%0AReference%20photo%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fshuker.peakcreative.site%2Fimages%2FfretlessUberhorn2.webp%0A%0AThe%20details%20I%20especially%20like%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMy%20own%20playing%20needs%20and%20ideas%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMany%20thanks%2C%0A){kind=link}
%20in%20the%20Shuker%20build%20gallery%20and%20would%20like%20to%20discuss%20an%20instrument%20with%20a%20similar%20feel%20or%20look.%0A%0AReference%20photo%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fshuker.peakcreative.site%2Fimages%2Fblackflamehorn1a.webp%0A%0AThe%20details%20I%20especially%20like%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMy%20own%20playing%20needs%20and%20ideas%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMany%20thanks%2C%0A){kind=link}
%20in%20the%20Shuker%20build%20gallery%20and%20would%20like%20to%20discuss%20an%20instrument%20with%20a%20similar%20feel%20or%20look.%0A%0AReference%20photo%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fshuker.peakcreative.site%2Fimages%2Fsinglecut38.webp%0A%0AThe%20details%20I%20especially%20like%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMy%20own%20playing%20needs%20and%20ideas%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMany%20thanks%2C%0A){kind=link}
%20in%20the%20Shuker%20build%20gallery%20and%20would%20like%20to%20discuss%20an%20instrument%20with%20a%20similar%20feel%20or%20look.%0A%0AReference%20photo%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fshuker.peakcreative.site%2Fimages%2FArtistbwal2-scaled.webp%0A%0AThe%20details%20I%20especially%20like%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMy%20own%20playing%20needs%20and%20ideas%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMany%20thanks%2C%0A){kind=link}
%20in%20the%20Shuker%20build%20gallery%20and%20would%20like%20to%20discuss%20an%20instrument%20with%20a%20similar%20feel%20or%20look.%0A%0AReference%20photo%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fshuker.peakcreative.site%2Fimages%2Fp4burst.webp%0A%0AThe%20details%20I%20especially%20like%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMy%20own%20playing%20needs%20and%20ideas%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMany%20thanks%2C%0A){kind=link}
%20in%20the%20Shuker%20build%20gallery%20and%20would%20like%20to%20discuss%20an%20instrument%20with%20a%20similar%20feel%20or%20look.%0A%0AReference%20photo%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fshuker.peakcreative.site%2Fimages%2FblondeJ2.webp%0A%0AThe%20details%20I%20especially%20like%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMy%20own%20playing%20needs%20and%20ideas%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMany%20thanks%2C%0A){kind=link}
%20in%20the%20Shuker%20build%20gallery%20and%20would%20like%20to%20discuss%20an%20instrument%20with%20a%20similar%20feel%20or%20look.%0A%0AReference%20photo%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fshuker.peakcreative.site%2Fimages%2Fjjzen6.webp%0A%0AThe%20details%20I%20especially%20like%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMy%20own%20playing%20needs%20and%20ideas%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMany%20thanks%2C%0A){kind=link}
%20in%20the%20Shuker%20build%20gallery%20and%20would%20like%20to%20discuss%20an%20instrument%20with%20a%20similar%20feel%20or%20look.%0A%0AReference%20photo%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fshuker.peakcreative.site%2Fimages%2Fshukerdd2.webp%0A%0AThe%20details%20I%20especially%20like%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMy%20own%20playing%20needs%20and%20ideas%20are%3A%20%0A%0AMany%20thanks%2C%0A){kind=link}
How does a custom build begin?
Start with a conversation with Jon. Tell him what you play, what you like about your current instrument and what you would change. You can discuss the model, woods, neck, pickups, hardware and finish before agreeing your specification.
How much does a Shuker instrument cost?
The cost depends on the model, construction and specification. See the price guide on this page for starting prices, then ask Jon for a quote for your own build. View the price guide ↗
How long will my build take?
Ask Jon for the current lead time when you enquire. The build schedule and the complexity of your instrument will affect timing.
Can I visit the workshop?
Yes, by prior arrangement. Please email Jon to confirm a time before travelling. Workshop visits are available Monday to Saturday by appointment.
Do I need experience to take a course?
No woodworking or instrument-making experience is needed for the introductory and one-to-one build courses. Jon guides you through the work. Contact him to discuss what you would like to make.
Do you repair instruments from other makers?
Yes. The workshop offers setups, fretwork, electronics, modifications and repairs, alongside EverTune bridge installation. Describe the instrument and the work you have in mind when you enquire.
YOUR NEXT INSTRUMENT
Let’s find
your sound.
You don’t need a finished specification. An idea, a favourite sound or something you wish your current instrument could do is a good place to start.
jon@shukerguitars.co.uk 07901 896021 WhatsApp: 07901 898021Email is Jon’s preferred way to discuss your project. If the workshop is busy, please allow time for a reply.
Visit the workshop
Hope Valley, Peak District, Derbyshire
Please arrange your visit before setting off.Email Jon to confirm a time and directions.
what3words · Workshop entrance///shortcuts.bonkers.amicably- Monday to Friday
- 10:00 to 16:00
- Saturday
- 10:30 to 13:00
- Sunday
- Closed