Advanced Guitar Repair Workshop

This course consists of five 3-hour classes. All sessions are now closed for registration. We will open another session soon.

If you would like to receive an email from us when registration is open, sign up below for our newsletter.

The course instructor is Ian Schneller, owner/luthier of Specimen Guitar Shop. All classes are held at Specimen located at 1240 N. Homan Ave. in Chicago, Illinois. Click here for a map.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This workshop presents a variety of more advanced guitar repair techniques for the student desiring to go beyond basic skills and concepts. It is the perfect follow-up to the Guitar Setup & Maintenance Course. The workshop will be divided into part lecture, part demonstration, and part hands-on training. Over the duration of the five classes, students will watch several demonstrations and then execute specific procedures on their own instruments with the assistance of the instructor. Enrollment will be limited to 8 students per workshop.

The selected repair procedures covered in this workshop are among some of the more elusive topics in the guitar repair field. These procedures include: bridge fabrication and location, headstock and crack repair, making a proper bone nut and saddle, and modifications such as cavity routing and making a pickguard.

The methods presented in this course are those used by Ian Schneller who, over the past 20+ years, has repaired thousands of instruments. In this course, Ian will share proprietary techniques and reference traditional methods all with a strong emphasis on quality and craftsmanship. The aspiring luthier will find this workshop indispensable.

CLASS SYNOPSIS
Class One: Headstock and Crack Repair
Lecture and demonstrations covering basic and complex/splined gluing techniques for headstock, body cracks, and other fractures. Students will learn about various glues and how to use them properly.

Class Two: Making a Bone Nut and Saddle
Lecture and demonstrations covering the making and installing of a proper bone nut and saddle. During this class, students will make their own bone nut and saddle for their instruments.

Class Three: Bridge Fabrication / Location / Replacement
Lecture and demonstrations covering the making and installing of a flattop acoustic bridge the fitting of an archtop bridge. Instructor will demonstrate the proper use of a drill press, milling machine, belt sanders, and a variety of hand tools used in the procedure.

Class Four: Modifications
Lecture and demonstrations covering body routing for neck pockets, pickups, and battery compartments. Students will learn how to make a pickguard, install hardware, and fabricate an aluminum jack plate to replace a cracked pickguard. Students will also learn a special technique for engine-turning sheet metal stock like that created for the cowling on the Spirit of St. Louis airplane and the Specimen Aluminum Maxwell.

Class Five: Open Workshop
Students will work on their own projects with the assistance of the instructor.

Workshop Materials and Supplies
The school will provide each student with their own individual workstation and have tools available for use. Useful handout materials will also be provided.

Fee: $485 for Workshop

Go here to register for the Advanced Guitar Repair Workshop.

Go here to view the school schedule for a complete listing of the classes we offer including both full and open sessions.

Back