The Fine Art of Guitar Building

In this class we build a guitar from raw materials to semi finished product.
During 7 hours per day of shop time, you will learn all the steps and techniques you need to build a great guitar.

View from the new class location.

Offered only two times per year,
(once in the spring and once in the fall)
and the class size limited to 4 students.

$1275
Tuesday - Saturday

Class Dates
Fall 2010 - October 5- 9

Spring 2011 - TBA

Spring 2010 slide show & More Class Information

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General Info

Is this class right for me?

If you fall asleep every night with a guitar building book on your chest. Yes.
If you want to build a kit, but also want to know what you are doing. Yes.
If you have built a few kits, but want to move to the next level. Yes.
If you want to learn to build a guitar from raw materials. Yes.
If you are a guitar collector or enthusiast and have been interested in how a guitar is built. Yes.
If you are flying by the seat of your pants and want to learn some actual luthiery technique. Yes.
If you have built guitars for awhile, but you have hit the wall with your progress. Yes.

You can learn the basics or polish the skills that you already have.

All classes are taught in the "California Method" of construction instruction.
Here you will watch me at work, participate in the various aspects of the construction,
and learn how to build a guitar or improve your skills using advanced techniques.

We have found that this lecture / demo format is the best way to thoroughly cover
a lot of information in a short amount of time.

You are encouraged to arrive with lots of film for your camera and lots of questions.
(No videos please.)

More Class Information

 

See a few students' comments at the Class Photos page.

FAQ

Do I go home with a guitar?
Nope. This is a serious guitar building class designed to help the luthier improve his abilities.
You will have the chance to work on the class guitar during it's various stages.
But as a class we only build one guitar.

What happens to the class guitar?
It is offered to the class participants at a 15% discount.
It usually takes 6 - 8 weeks to complete the instrument to my standards after the course.

Will I be able to build a guitar at home after taking this class?
Yep. This class teaches the process for building a great guitar - either from a kit or from the raw materials.

If I can already build a guitar, what can I expect to get out of this class?
You will go home with an improved technique and information to help you polish your skills and improve your process.
I have had guys who have never built a guitar, who have built 5 guitars, and even one who had built over 300 guitars.

Many professional builders have taken this class to polish their skills. You never know who will be standing next to
you in the shop. But one thing is for sure. You can count on it being another guitar nut like you.
I have had many students take the class more than once. As their building improves,
they realize that they could absorb more information / technique a second or third time through.
(Plus, it's a fun week.)
Whereever you are on the learning curve (curious, beginner, novice, intermediate, advanced, or pro),
you will go home inspired and ready to go to the next level.
Good techinique and information is simply good for everyone.

Can you help me with a specific construction problem?
Yep, glad to. The class is small. I can easily take a little extra time to go over specific problems.
It is even more valuable to you, because you will see how the problem area fits into the entire process.

Do we spray a finish on the guitar?
Nope. This class is not designed to cover finish work.
That is an entirely different topic. During our 5 days in the class, we will focus primarily
on construction methods and process.

 

Teacher info

Kent Carlos Everett has had the pleasure of lecturing at the Healdsburg Guitar Festival,
the Association of String Instrument Artisans Symposium, the International School of Luthiery ,
The American School of Luthiery, the Southeastern Bluegrass Association,
The Georgia Woodworkers Guild, as well as various schools and universities.
He has actively been teaching luthiery since 1993.

Now with over thirty years of guitar building experience,
Everett finds himself in a wonderful position to help promote craftsmanship
& the art of musical instrument building.