Mandolin Kit Building (7 Saturdays)

We’re starting a brand new class at the Geiger School of Lutherie at The Fret House! Get your chisels and glue ready… We’re building mandolins! 

This class will spend 7 Saturdays from 1:00pm to 5:00pm completing a
mandolin from an F5 mandolin kit. The kit will include all of the parts
necessary except for the tuning machines, bridge and the tailpiece (this is due
 to the vast difference in price of the parts).

Next Class: April 6-May 18, 2013

Cost: $1250 including mandolin kit (excluding hardware)

Payment Schedule: $500 nonrefundable deposit due upon registration with the balance due 30 days prior to the start of class

Limited to 8 students

Two Week Intensive Acoustic Steel String Guitar Building 

This class will spend two intensive weeks (Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday from 8:00am to noon) completing an acoustic guitar in the white. With a maximum of 2 students per class, there will be an opportunity to choose from several different body styles and gain hands-on experience from bending sides to shaping the neck using both modern and time tested techniques. Tools will be supplied. Materials are not included.

Next Class: TBA

Cost: $3000 excluding materials        

Payment Schedule: $1000 nonrefundable deposit due upon registration with the balance due 30 days prior to the start of class 

Limited to 2 students

See a video from the last intensive class

See photos from the intensive class

 

One Week Intensive Electric Guitar Building 

This class will spend one intensive week (Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday from 8:00am to noon) completing a custom shaped (to be chosen by the student) solid body electric guitar in the white. Tools will be supplied. Materials are not included.

Next Class: June 10-15, 2013

Cost: $1500 excluding materials 

Payment Schedule: $500 nonrefundable deposit due upon registration with the balance due 30 days prior to the start of class 

Limited to 2 students

Acoustic Steel String Guitar Kit Building (15 Saturdays) 

This class will spend 15 Saturdays from 1:00pm-5:00pm completing an acoustic kit guitar including finish. There will be two guitar kits to choose from, a dreadnought size or a slotted headstock OOO size. Both guitars are solid wood instruments with an AAA spruce top and a choice of rosewood or mahogany back and sides.

Next Class: TBA

Cost: $1500 including guitar kit (excluding tuning machines) 

Payment Schedule: $500 nonrefundable deposit due upon registration with the balance due 30 days prior to the start of class

Limited to 8 students

Finishing Seminar (2 Saturdays) 

A two Saturday course that will demonstrate the techniques of finishing a guitar from preparation to final buffing. The first Saturday will be a discussion of the different kinds of media and the advantages and disadvantages of each. While the class will be centered around the use of KTM-9 waterborne finish, the techniques of this finish can easily be transferred to any type. I will be demonstrating the prep work and the filling of the grain in open pored woods, as well as the spraying of initial coats.  The next Saturday will be leveling, polishing and trouble shooting the coated surface. Samples prepared the week before will be used by the students for first hand experience.

Next Class: TBA

Cost: $300 

Payment Schedule: Register in advance with payment due at the start of class

Limited to 8 students

Inlay Seminar (4 Hours) 

This class will demonstrate the process of taking an inlay
from layout to completion. Tools and materials will be
discussed as well as elements of design and execution. Several personal examples will be shown as well as several world class inlay artists.

Next Class:  TBA

Cost: $100 

Payment Schedule: Register in advance with payment due at the start of class 

Limited to 8 students

See photos from the inlay class

   Setting up a guitar is more than just changing string height
   and cranking on the truss rod. This 4 hour hands on seminar
   will give you the knowledge to successfully set up an
   acoustic or electric guitar. You’ll find out just what a truss
   rod does and doesn’t do. How to intonate
   properly. Troubleshooting buzzes. What to do if you detect
   a loose fret. What is relief? Bring your own guitar to the class.

Next Class: TBA

Cost: $100

Payment Schedule: Register in advance with payment due at the start of class

Limited to 8 students