Guitar Design Course
$585 – $685

Early Registration Discount is Subject to Expiration. Enroll now.
This course welcomes both traditionalist and experimentalist. Students will produce a full size detailed plan of their own original stringed instrument design. The student’s personal aspirations for their ideal stringed instrument will be manifested into this drawing. A treasure map, if you will. Whether you choose to chart new territory, or design a reproduction of a traditional guitar, bass or any string instrument – the emphasis is on designing a supremely-functional and long-lasting instrument of beauty.
No drawing skills required.
Completing this workshop will prepare students for the exciting prospect of starting the actual construction of their design.
This course is also part of our Electric Guitar Making Course.
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Materials
Drafting paper, template material, a workstation, and all of the necessary drafting tools will be provided.
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Classroom
Class size is limited to 8 students.
Course is taught in a professional guitar service shop equipped with individual workbenches stocked with specialized tools necessary for the course work. -
Workshop Safety
While we make every effort to keep the CSGM workshop clean it can be dusty and at times noisy. We recommend hearing, respiratory, and eye protection be used when working in the shop. We have this safety equipment available for use or purchase when in class and it is the students responsibility to exercise diligent use of these safety measures.
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Fee
Course fee includes instruction, reference guide, use of a workbench and all shop supplies necessary.
Please note that all registrations are final and non-refundable.
In the event that a student cannot attend a class, written notice must be given in advance to receive a credit to be used on another tuition.
Valid credit may be transferred to another course date, or to another student, if so desired. - Instructors
Ian Schneller read bio
- Location
1240 N. Homan Ave. in Chicago, Illinois 60651 Map
- Registration
Register online, in person, or by phone: 773.489.483 . Cash, credit card or a personal check are accepted. Registrations are final and non-refundable. Payment credit is transferable.
Course Description
In-depth lectures will educate the student to expertly manipulate every variable of stringed instrument design.
Students will create their own full-scale blueprint of a guitar, bass, or other stringed instrument. This drawing will contain all the relevant design parameters needed to craft the instrument in it’s entirety.
Students will enjoy working at drafting workbenches specially-designed for this course. Useful reference materials will be provided.
Topics
- Design tradition and historic examples
- Originality
- Aesthetics
- Proportion and balance
- Ergonomics
- Neck pitch, attachment and geometry
- Headstock and body design
- Truss rod systems and installation
- Selecting appropriate materials and hardware
- Electronic circuits and control layouts









