Build your own guitar in 18 days. Traditional Guitar making course itinerary
Here is the schedule for my 18 day course in traditional guitar making. It is an intensive and challenging course and a lot of work, but probably one of the most rewarding things you will ever do.
Some woodworking experience may be an advantage, but is not necessarily. I will guide you through every stage of the process from choosing the best, well seasoned raw materials to completing your own unique handmade guitar.
Nothing compares to the satisfaction and magic of playing a guitar that you've made with your own hands.
Course location - Galilee. Flexible dates to suit your schedule.
Day 1
Introduction to making guitars by hand. Working with hand tools. How to choose good tone wood. Selecting a soundboard.
Join book matched soundboard. Smooth surface using a plane.
Day 2
Design and inlay sound hole rosette.
Day 3
Create head/neck join
Thickness soundboard
Day 4
Soundboard bracing
Days 5 to 7
Complete headstock and heel carving
Days 8 & 9
Join book matched back
Thickness back and sides using hand plane
Day 10
Make kerfed linings and tail block.
Fit back braces
Day 11
Assemble guitar
Day 12
Fit decorative bindings
Day 13
Complete body. Scrape and sand smooth. Apply polish
Day 14
Make fretboard and glue it onto neck.
Day 15
Carve neck. Apply polish
Day 16
Make bridge and glue in position
Day 17
Install frets. Apply polish
Day 18
Fit tuning heads, strings and set up.
That's super cool... I would never even think about making a guitar but making your own would be a really rewarding experience!
Yes, there really is nothing to compare to the feeling of playing a guitar that you made yourself. It's mind blowing.
That's really cool. My dad has been a woodworker forever, and he started making guitars a few years ago. I think the first one took nearly a year. That's wonderful that you are sharing such a special craft.
Thanks. Yes, I really enjoy the teaching. It's very rewarding and I always learn something myself while I'm at it. Your dad sounds like a dude. I'd be interested to know about the guitars he makes.
He is quite a dude for sure. He's always been super cool. I'll see if he will send me a picture. Teaching is often the best way to learn. One of the great parts of having kids too.