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Guitar & Bass Setup and Electronics Weekend Seminar
This seminar consists of two weekend days. The next open seminar runs Saturday and Sunday, July 26 - 27, 2008. Class meets each day from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.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 Guitar & Bass Setup and Maintenance Course as well as demonstrations and lectures covering guitar & bass electronics.
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 seminar covers two aspects of repair and maintenance: Guitar & Bass Setup and Electronics.Part 1: Guitar & Bass Setup
The setup portion of the seminar will address different instruments, playing styles, and the pros and cons of various products and hardware. Other topics include:
The setup portion of the seminar will explain the fundamental mechanical operation of the guitar. This includes all types of guitars (acoustic and electric) and bass guitars. From here the student will gain the knowledge and techniques necessary to put any guitar into balance for optimal playability and tonality. Included are lectures and demonstrations on various types of instruments. Students will also execute setups on their own instrument and receive helpful feedback from the instructor.
- string height
- intonation/saddle compensation
- neck relief
- neck pitch
- truss rod adjustment
- string break angles
- selecting string gauges and types
- height of strings at nut
- basic electronics
- fret wire
- tuning systems
- various tremolo systems
- bridges
- finish care
- tooling
Part 2: Electronics
This part of the seminar includes lectures and demonstrations regarding electronic procedures such as installing switches and jacks, wiring techniques, shielding for noise reduction, and basic pickup installation.Workshop Materials and Supplies
The school will provide each student with their own individual workstation and have tools available for use. 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.
House of Two Urns B&B
Marriott Chicago at Medical District/UIC
The Wicker Park Inn B&BIf anyone is interested in sharing accommodations with another student, please provide the school with contact information that we can forward to interested parties.
Public transportation to the school is possible via the CTA. There is also plenty of street-side parking in front of the school and bicycles are welcome.
Those students flying into O'Hare can take the CTA Blue Line subway right from the airport. This line goes to downtown Chicago but has stops in neighborhoods near the school and some of the accommodations noted above. There is also CTA transportation from Midway Airport to downtown Chicago via the Green Line train.Lunch will be provided on Saturday and Sunday. All other meals are not included.
Seminar Fee: $585
Go here to register for the Weekend Seminar
Go here to view the school schedule for a complete listing of the classes we offer including both full and open sessions.
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