Fretting Workshop Weekend Seminar

This seminar consists of two weekend days. Our May seminar is now full. We will open another seminar soon. There are still a few spots open in our weekly Fretting Workshop that runs Thursday evenings, April 17 - May 15. Go here to learn more and register.

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This seminar is designed to accommodate students unable to attend our weekly courses due to schedule conflicts or proximity to Chicago. This two-day seminar is an intensive workshop that covers all aspects of our weekly Fretting Workshop.

This is the ideal seminar for anyone working as a guitar technician, roadie, music store employee, touring musician or for anyone interested in working on instruments. A Certificate of Completion will be awarded to all students who complete the course as well as handouts covering the topics discussed. Enrollment is limited to 9 students.

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.

SEMINAR DESCRIPTION
This workshop will be a comprehensive presentation and demonstration of the techniques required to execute a professional quality re-fret on a guitar, bass, or other fretted instrument. This course will be divided into part lecture, part demonstration, and part hands-on training. Over the duration of the two days, students will watch a complete re-fret and then execute the process on their own instrument under the assistance of the instructor. 

The methods presented in this course are those used by Ian Schneller who, over the past 20+ years, has re-fretted hundreds of instruments. In this course, Ian will share proprietary techniques that have made his fret work renown for its quality and craftsmanship. Useful handout materials will also be provided.

The Fretting Workshop will address fret work for different instruments, playing styles, and the pros and cons of various tools and hardware. Other topics include:

instrument assessment nut and fret removal fretboard and slot preparation binding considerations fret selection fret cleaning fret rolling fret measuring and cutting fret installing and gluing fretboard clean-up fret leveling fret beveling fret crowning and polishing nut re-installation (or making a new nut)

Workshop Materials and Supplies
The school will provide each student with their own individual workstation and have tools available for use. Students may also purchase a personal set of rudimentary tools selected by the instructor. Click here to learn more about the tools and how to purchase them. The school can also provide an instrument to any student who does not wish to travel with their own. Students are requested to notify the school if an instrument is needed.

Accommodations, Transportation, and Meals
The school is located in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood on the west side of downtown Chicago. While there are plenty of hotel choices in town, here are a few that are close to the school:

Ukrainian Village Apartment – this fully-furnished apartment sleeps 4-6 people and is close to public transportation you can take to the school.

Ray’s Bucktown B&B

House of Two Urns B&B

Marriott Chicago at Medical District/UIC

The Wicker Park Inn B&B

If anyone is interested in sharing accommodations with another student, please provide the school with contact information that we can forward to interested parties.

Lunch will be provided on Saturday and Sunday. All other meals are not included.

Seminar Fee: $585 / $185 for optional Tool Kit

Go here to register for the Fretting Workshop Weekend Seminar

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