Course Details
The Guitar Making and Repair Course consists of practical and theoretical training in acoustic and electric guitar construction and repair. The school offers two five-month (880 clock hour) courses each year, beginning in February and late August. Classes are held Monday through Thursday, from 8 AM to 6 PM and Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, except holidays, with one hour lunch, and mid-morning and mid-afternoon study breaks.

The curriculum revolves around each student building a minimum of two ‘project’ guitars, including an acoustic steel string and an electric guitar or 4 or 5 string electric bass. Throughout the course lectures and demonstrations are given for each phase of the construction process. Following the lecture and ‘demo’ students proceed with that part of their guitar making project. Printed handouts and the student’s notes provide instructional aid, along with the Roberto-Venn instructor team who provide group and one-on-one hands-on training. By course end the printed handouts comprise a comprehensive guitar-making manual for future reference.
In addition to hands-on training, weekly quizzes and quarterly tests allow the staff to monitor the student’s progress and understanding of the guitar making process.
The school workshop is divided into four quads, with each student having their own workbench. Class size ranges from 30 to 40 students, with seven to ten students in each quad area. At various times throughout the course students receive instruction from all instructors and staff, with an average ‘Student to Teacher’ ratio of 6 to 1. Each quad area is equipped with specialized tools, jigs, and clamps and managed by one instructor ‘pit boss.’ The ‘pit boss’ is an advisor who provides close supervision and monitoring of students in each quad.
Power woodworking equipment is located in a Ramada covered area adjacent to the workshop. Students are taught safety and use of this equipment for all milling, sanding, sawing and routing guitar operations. In addition to power equipment and quad tool inventory provided by the school, students used their own personal tools, designated in the required Student Tool List.
Spring 2020
February 10, 2020 – June 26, 2020
Fall 2020
August 27, 2020 – January 29, 2021
$10,950
TUITION
880
HOURS