There is no better way to learn the art and craft of lutherie than by building your own instrument.
As part of our Lutherie School, we offer instruction in the building of guitars and ukuleles.
Throughout the process, students will learn about the theory, techniques, tools, molds, and jigs used by luthiers.
** We are not accepting students at this time. Sorry! **
We specialize in teaching the building of steel-string guitars and concert ukuleles.
Price for course in building a steel-string guitar: $3,000
Price for concert ukulele course: $3,000
These prices include all necessary materials, tools & instruction (See below.)
Additional features and/or upgraded materials are available at additional cost.
Topics included: Materials Included:
Selecting instrument grade wood Tonewood for top, backs, & sides
Bending sides Mahogany neck blank
Proper joinery Rosewood or ebony fingerboard
Shaping headblock/tailblock dual action truss rod (guitars only)
Cutting soundhole & rosette route Spruce braces
Shaping/installing braces Rosewood pinplate (guitars only)
Fitting kerfing Binding (guitars only)
Neck construction & shaping Rosewood or ebony bridge blank
Gluing, sanding & drilling techniques Bone blanks for nut/saddle
Installing binding & purfling (guitars only) Wood bridge pins
Fretboard shaping & fret slotting Abalone or Pearl fingerboard dots
Installing & dressing fets Fret wire
Tuning machine installation Shellac for polishing
Bridge construction & pin fitting Grover tuners
Carving/fitting nut & saddle Set of strings
Setting correct action Access to all necessary tools
French polishing
Additional Options:
We also offer instruction in the building of classical guitars, electric guitars & basses, and ukuleles of other sizes.
Price for classical guitar course: $3,000
Price for electric guitar or bass course: $3,000
Price for tenor or baritone ukulele course: $3,000
We can also accommodate students who want to build their steel-string acoustic guitar with the use of a kit. Materials are not included, except for tools, jigs, and shellac. Students must provide their own kit.
Price for kit construction course: $2,000
Example Student Builds:
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- Student Eliot Childress’s first instrument build: a concert ukulele made from curly koa and Indian rosewood.
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- Shop member Sangho Byun’s 3rd instrument build: a Wenge concert ukulele.
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- A curly maple travel guitar, the 4th instrument build of shop member Sangho Byun.
