Event Organizer: Specimen Products
Organizer Email: info@specimenproducts.com
Event Phone: 773.489.4830
Event Status: Upcoming
Categories: Guitar Building
Dates and Times:- February 25
February 25, 2017
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm - March 18
March 18, 2017
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm - March 19
March 19, 2017
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm - April 22
April 22, 2017
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm - April 23
April 23, 2017
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm - May 16 - 18
May 16, 2017 - May 18, 2017
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm - August 26 & 27
August 26, 2017 - August 27, 2017
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Event Venue: CHICAGO SCHOOL OF GUITAR MAKING
Description:
[T]his workshop gives students creative control over the guitar's design, shape, finish, and performance qualities. At the end of this multi-step process students will have a wonderful creation that fulfills their own unique vision. This is a not a kit assembly workshop - students build their own instrument from scratch.
Description
While prior knowledge of woodworking and shop tools is helpful, the instructor will be on-hand at all times for assistance or to carry-out machining procedures for those students with less experience. The main objective of the Electric Guitar Building Workshop is to provide a set of sequential tutorials that will guide the student through the guitar building process. During the course of these workshops, students will build their own electric guitar completely from scratch using raw materials and the time-tested techniques of the instructor. Students will learn how to shape their guitar's neck and body, install the truss rod, and install all hardware. Our goal is to provide an enriching environment for the burgeoning student with many opportunities for exposure to various techniques and skills. Whether the student chooses to build a reproduction of a traditional/classic design or chart new territory into an unknown realm, the emphasis will be on making a supremely-functional and long-lasting instrument of beauty. This workshop welcomes both the traditionalist and the experimentalist. During the workshops students will observe numerous demonstrations on various aspects of the building process. The timing of these demonstrations will be dependent upon the needs of the students so that workshops can be personalized to match where each student is within the building process.
Following is a list of some of the procedures that will be demonstrated:
- Transferring patterns
- Making templates
- Preparing body blanks
- Preparing neck blanks
- Carving
- Sculpting wood using rasps and hand planes
- Neck shaping
- Binding
- Truss rod installation
- Fretboard preparation
- Routing for neck and hardware
- Pickguard making
- Proper gluing techniques
- Correctly locating bridge and other hardware
- Finishing
Materials and Supplies
The school provides each student with custom workbenches and all tools needed to build their instrument. All building materials such as body and neck blanks, fretboards, truss rods, pickups, nuts, bridges, and any hardware can be ordered through the school or the student can elect to source these materials for themselves. The instructor is available to guide students through the selection of any of needed materials and can order parts at a discount when possible. However, for those wanting boutique parts, many of these items are only available as custom orders and best left for the student to order directly from the maker.
Mandatory Pre-requisite
Students must complete the Design & Theory + Blueprint Course before they can enroll in this workshop.
Sign up for Design & Theory + Blueprint and Electric Guitar Building together and take off $100!
Schedule
One Day Sessions are specified Saturdays and/or Sundays from 12pm to 4pm
Fee
$225 for a One Day Session
Tuition includes instruction, demonstrations, guidance, handout materials, use of specialized tools, guitar workbench and shop supplies.
Instructors
Ian Schneller Ian is the founder and chief instructor of the Chicago School of Guitar Making. Ian teaches Design & Theory + Blueprint Course, Setup & Maintenance for Guitar and Bass, Electric Guitar Building, Tube Amp Building and Champ Tube Amp Building. He is also a faculty member of the Sculpture Department at the School of the Art Institute and owner of Specimen Products.
Pete Mueller Pete is a guitar builder and repair technician at Specimen. Pete teaches Electric Guitar Building, Lap Steel Guitar Building, Setup & Maintenance for Guitar and Bass, Bone Nut & Saddle Making, Guitar and Bass Repair and Fretting Workshop at the Chicago School of Guitar Making. Richard Phillis Richard is a guitar builder, repair technician and surface finisher at Specimen. He teaches Effects Pedal Building, Guitar Electronics, Electric Guitar Building, Lap Steel Guitar Building, Guitar and Bass Repair, Setup & Maintenance for Guitar and Bass and Finishing Techniques at the Chicago School of Guitar Making.
How to Register:
Registrations are limited to 6 students. You can register for any of our classes online, by phone or in person.
Register Online
Make your selection of the class dates you wish to attend (and if applicable, the type of kit) in Available Dates column on the upper right of this page and click ENROLL NOW > Enter the required information and then proceed to pay by clicking the Paypal button and choose your method of payment.
NOTE: It is NOT necessary to have a Paypal account to use their service.
Register by Phone 773.489.4830
Call us if you prefer to register over the phone with your credit card. We will send you a confirmation via email, or by snail mail if you prefer.
Register in Person
Come by the shop during business hours and enroll using cash, credit card, or a personal check.
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 12 - 7
Saturday: 12 - 5
Map our location
Accommodations:
Click Here for a list of nearby places to stay during seminars, along with transportation information.
