Guitar Building Workshop
This workshop is an 8-week course that runs January 8 - February 26, 2008. The workshop meets 11 times during this period on certain Tuesdays, Saturdays, and one Sunday for a total of 41 hours. The calendars below show the specific dates when class will meet.
Class time on Tuesdays is from 6:30 - 9:30 pm. On Saturdays and the one Sunday, class meets from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. There is no class in the sixth week to allow time for the guitar's finish to cure.See below for a week-by-week class synopsis.
Minor scheduling conflicts can be accommodated on a case-by-case basis.
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
In this workshop students design and build their own electric guitar completely from scratch using raw materials and the time-tested techniques of the instructor. Students will learn how to shape their guitar’s neck and body, install the truss rod, install all hardware and finish the instrument with nitrocellulose lacquer. Enrollment will be limited to 8 students per workshop.This is a not a kit assembly workshop; students really build their own instrument. This workshop gives students creative control over the guitar’s design, shape, finish, and performing quality. Whatever color or type of finish the student selects will be executed in nitrocellulose lacquer under the watchful eye of the instructor. At the end of the class students will have a wonderful creation that fulfills their own unique vision.
Click here to see photos from previous sessions of the building workshop. -
- INSTRUMENT OPTIONS: Students choose from the following options:
- Mahogany, basswood, alder, or ash body (slab construction)
- Maple or mahogany neck
- Bolt-on neck attachment
- Rosewood, maple or ebony fretboard
- Adjustable or non-adjustable truss rod
- One of the following scale lengths: 25-1/2”(Fender-style), 24-1/2” (Gibson-style), 25” (Martin/PRS-style), 34” (long-scale bass), 32” (short-scale bass), or 13-7/8” (mandolin/ukulele).
- Any variety of appropriate pickups, hardware, and electronics
- Any style of finish or color executed in nitrocellulose lacquer.
- Any design of body and headstock shape (student's own design or traditional)
- Any neck width at the nut
- Any neck shape profile the student desires
- Whether the student chooses to build a reproduction of a traditional/classic design or chart new territory into an unknown realm, the emphasis will be on making a supremely-functional and long-lasting instrument of beauty. This workshop welcomes both the traditionalist and the experimentalist.
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CLASS SYNOPSIS:
WEEK 1: (Tuesday, Saturday) The first week concentrates on guitar design. This will include lectures on tradition, aesthetics, innovation, proportion, balance, ergonomics, materials, circuits and hardware. Students begin designing their instruments and create a blueprint.WEEK 2: (Tuesday, Saturday) Students finalize their instrument’s blueprint and the building process begins. The teacher demonstrates special construction techniques he has developed over decades of building and guides students through the process.
WEEK 3: (Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday) Students continue assembly work and final neck shaping, fretting, sanding and preparation for applying a finish.
WEEK 4: (Tuesday only) Students prep their instruments for finishing. Instructor applies lacquer to student's instrument.
WEEK 5: (Tuesday only) Students level the finish. Instructor continues applying lacquer.
WEEK 6: No class. Allowing time for lacquer to cure.
- WEEK 7: (Tuesday only) Students polish the guitar's finish.
- WEEK 8: (Tuesday only) Students assemble their instrument by installing hardware, wiring, and setting it up.
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The Guitar Building Workshop will teach students the fundamentals of instrument design and construction, other topics will include:
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- Workshop Materials and Supplies
The school will provide each student with tools to use and the materials necessary to build their instrument. The only costs not covered in the tuition are three pieces of hardware (tuners, bridge and pickups). There is a wide range of these hardware products available that vary in quality and can range in cost from $100 for perfectly functional, durable items to well over $1000 for special handmade “boutique” items. It is due to this broad array of options coupled with personal philosophies and preferences that these items are best selected by the student.The instructor will be happy to guide students through the selection of any hardware and can order parts at a discount when possible. However, for those wanting boutique parts, many of these items are only available as custom orders and best left for the student to order directly from the maker.
Recommended Pre-requisites: Previous experience it not mandatory, however we strongly recommended that students have completed our Setup & Maintenance Course and the Fretting Workshop prior to enrollment in this building workshop.
While prior knowledge of woodworking and shop tools is helpful, the instructor will be on-hand at all times for assistance or to carry-out machining procedures for those students with less experience.
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Fee: $2250
Terms: A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of enrollment. The balance is due January 1, 2008, one week before class begins.
Go here to register for the Guitar Building Workshop.
- Go here to view the school schedule for a complete listing of the classes we offer including both full and open sessions.