The Fine Art of Guitar Building

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April 2011
more photos coming

This is just a brief overview of our 5 days in the workshop.

Eric (ohio), Don (Cape Cod), PJ (South Africa), and Moon (Korea)

Class comments and completed guitar photos coming soon.

 

April 2011 class comments

Thanks Everyone!!
I wanted to let all of you know that I had a great week, far above my expectations, and really came out of the class with so much positive energy its hard to explain. Kent, you are a great teacher and made it fun to be there ...

Having the students room together really worked great for me, being able learn from all of you as well and getting your input was very helpful. I probably couldn't have hand picked a better bunch of roomies!

Building acoustic guitars is not easy! Kent has a way of reducing a seemingly formidable task to a simpler, more common sense process. If you are a perfectionist (like me) you may already build some very nice instruments, but you probably sense there is a better (ie - "easier") way; there is! Kent has spent many years refining the process.
One week in this course saved me years of trial and error.

I’ve been hard at work on my next guitar utilizing all the information I gleaned from your excellent class, which, by the way, I enjoyed tremendously. My building techniques have certainly improved thanks to you, and they will continue to do so as I implement all the new secrets I now have in my arsenal.

Thanks again for also unselfishly sharing all those little tips that make all the difference.
As you rightly state, its a study in subtleties.

 

2010 Student Comments

"Carlos , you are a rarely gifted teacher. Not many have the experience and ability to connect with the student.
I have made my living in education and was not only wowed by your guitar building, but also by your ability to transmit the information. Really great!"

One of the biggest things that I've noticed, since being back in my shop, is that I look at the
entire process of guitar building with a "new set of eyes".
I have become way more critical of my building and finishing since completing your class.

I really appreciated the fact that your building method is not centered around expensive jigs and high end equipment--it's about good workmanship and order of progression. I realized right from the very beginning
that I was headed in the right direction--your shop made me feel right at home.

I feel that your presentation made all of us feel very comfortable right from the very beginning. I also feel that, with the limited size of the class, we were able to cover all of the daily activities with a full understanding--
we had time for questions and answers and personal involvement in the building of the guitar.

As far as the accommodations are concerned, I don't think that we could have found anything close to what Kent found for us--a house right on Lake Arrowhead--what a great setting. I also feel that because we were all sharing the house that we got a lot more out of the class--at night we were able to review what we had done that day in Kent's shop as well as watch our nightly homework together and discuss the values of it right then. I also don't think that we could have found anything close to Lake Arrowhead for what we paid for the house rental.
Kent went way out of his way to make us feel at home.

This was definitely one of the best experiences of my life--a great "working"
vacation with one of the greatest luthiers on the planet.

In taking the class a second time the thing that most impressed me was how much more
I learned this time.Really helped fill in the blanks and will take my building to the next level!
I also appreciated you’re asking up front about areas where we needed additional
information or help…..and then dealing with them!

I took some time for myself the last few days to watch Kent Everett work magic with wood.
It’s been great to get up-close-and-personal with a master luthier as he plies his trade--
and spend time with 3 other gentlemen of varying backgrounds and home-states as we’ve learned
together from him. I’ve been granted new confidence to take on guitar-building.
I’m sure that I’ll build something that I can be proud of thanks to Kent’s intense attention to detail.

Thanks again!!!

 

NEXT CLASS

Spring 2012 - April 30 - May 5

 

New 2012 - 6 Day Class Outline

~ Daily in Shop Schedule from 10:00 - 6:00 (or 7:00 - as needed) ~
(with 1 hour lunch break and 1/2 hour afternoon break)
You are encouraged to bring a lunch and eat with the other students
on the deck at the workshop. Publix is nearby.

< Don't wear your best clothes. The shop will get dusty while we are building the guitar.

< We will break daily at 4:00 for a 'breath of fresh air' and an afternoon snack.

< Filtered water will be supplied daily.

< Do not wear sandels. This is a workshop.

< Bring a notebook, pen, and camera. Don't forget the camera, but No Videos please.
Taking notes will help you remember the info when it comes time for you to build your own guitar at home.

< Then Saturday afternoon we will wrap up the project and with any luck play a song on our guitar!

 

Monday
Making the mold
Bending the sides
Forming the ribs in the mold
Top and back domes
Using radius disk
Kerfing
Brace Back
Voice back
Glue back to body
Brace Top
Go-bar deck samples

Homework
Watch Guild of American Luthier convention DVD.
(supplied)

Tuesday
Top bracing explanation
Voice top
Prep top
Clean body interior
Glue top to body

Truss rods - types / how they work

Homework
Watch traditional bluegrass guitar building DVD.
(& a copy for you to take home)

Wednesday
Prep body for binding
Route for bindings - different techniques
Bind Guitar
Review - top bracing and voicing

Homework
Review DIY guitar neck slide presentation for Thursday and Friday's neck shaping instruction.
(& a copy for you to take home)

Thursday
(1/2 day)
Prep body for neck
Fit neck - step 1
Glue fingerboard
Neck making demo - The process - part 1
(We have found that taking a half day off at this point in the course gives the students a chance to catch up.
Today you can play an afternoon round of golf, take a boat out on the lake, or simply relax and organize your notes.
Take a break and feel refreshed.

Friday
Neck making demo - The process - part 2
Shape neck
Peghead shape and tuner holes
Fret work lecture / demo
Bridge making

Homework
Watch "How to adjust a Steel String Guitar"
(& a copy for you to take home)

Saturday
Bridge Fitting, Alignment, and Attachment
Nut & Saddle
Guitar Set up
Finish discussion
Armbevel and Soundport discussion

Play our class guitar. Wahoo!

Saturday afternoon, Jeannie and I treat you to a late lunch
at our home in Lake Arrowhead. Time to relax and celebratre our new guitar together.

After one fun week - Saturday night you can stay an extra night at Lake Arrowhead or catch a late flight home.

 

Class Price - $1295
~ does not include accommodations ~

 

NEXT CLASS

Spring 2012 - April 30 - May 5

The class instrument is offered to students at a 15% discount.

Visit the Class Photos page.

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Travel
The 4 students often can share 2 cars. This way not everyone has to rent a car.
Those riding along can pitch in for gas, etc. Good for everyone.

Accommodations
When you sign up for the class, you will receive a week long gate pass to Lake Arrowhead.
You can use your free time to relax, play the guitar, take a hike, play a round of golf, ...

The students enjoy sharing a lake house with separate bedrooms,
lake access, nice full kitchen, decks , great view, ...
It is cheaper than a hotel. And it is a lot nicer!
What a deal!

Once we have a full class I will reserve a cabin rental.
The rental rates are are around $400 each student for 6 nights .
Monday - Saturday
(price includes tax and cleaning fee).
The prices vary a bit due to room size, bed size, etc.
I will send your room options once we have the cabin reserved.

"I was apprehensive about sharing a house with people I did not know, but this has been really great.
Talking guitars, playing music at night, ... really a great deal. So much better than a hotel ..."

"Sharing the house was great. It was muuuuuch better than ahotel (and cheaper ;-)."

At night we would sit around the table and pass each other's notebooks around. It was a great way to
digest all the info we got during the day. This was a fantastic experience!!! "

We are about 20 minutes from the town of Canton with lots of restaurants and stores.
Also the shop is only 15 minutes from a Publix .

Lake Arrowhead Info

Hiking Trails

Golf

Swim

Tennis

Boat Rental

More Lake Arrowhead Info

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