The main objective of the Electric Guitar Building Workshop is to provide a set of sequential tutorials that will guide the student through the guitar building process. During the course of these workshops, students will 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, and install all hardware.
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Once students have completed the Guitar Design & Theory Workshop and have finished their instrument’s blueprint, they are now ready to begin building their instrument. The length of time required to build an instrument depends on the complexity of the design and the student’s abilities. These workshops will be offered several times throughout the year and students can enroll in as many as they need in order to complete their instrument.
Formatted to be an “open shop time”, these workshops enable students to progress through the building process at a pace that is comfortable and allows for individual attention from the instructor.
During the workshops students will observe numerous demonstrations on various aspects of the building process. The timing of these demonstrations will be depended upon the needs of the students so that workshops can be personalized to match where each student is within the building process. Following is a list of some of the procedures that will be demonstrated:
- transferring patterns
- making templates
- preparing body blanks
- preparing neck blanks
- carving
- sculpting wood using rasps and hand planes
- neck shaping
- binding
- truss rod installation
- fretboard preparation
- neck setting (making mortise and tenon)
- routing for neck and hardware
- pickguard making
- proper gluing techniques
- tool sharpening
- correctly locating bridge and other hardware
- bridge making
- special hardware fabrication (e.g., knobs, pickup rings, tailpieces)
- finishing
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 process students will have a wonderful creation that fulfills their own unique vision.
Our goal is to provide an enriching environment for the burgeoning student with many opportunities for exposure to various techniques and skills.
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.
STUDENT GALLERY
See photos from previous sessions of our guitar building workshop and our Student Gallery showcasing students with their finished masterpieces.
Workshop Materials and Supplies
The school provides each student with custom workbenches and all tools needed to build their instrument. All building materials such as body and neck blanks, fretboards, truss rods, pickups, nuts, bridges, and any hardware can be ordered through the school or the student can elect to source these materials for themselves. The instructor is available to guide students through the selection of any of needed materials 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.
Mandatory Pre-requisite
Students must complete the Guitar Design & Theory Workshop and have a finished blueprint before they can enroll in this workshop.
Recommended Pre-requisites
We strongly recommended that students have completed our Setup & Maintenance Course and the Fretting Workshop prior to enrollment in this 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.