Lutherie Schools, Institutes or Builders who teach.

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Permalink Reply by Ken Hundley on December 12, 2008 at 8:03am

If you are willing to come to Chicago, Ian Snelling of Specimen Products has begun the Chicago School of Guitar Building. I have not taken any of his classes, but have had a couple instruments repaired with him, and received some great help from him with my first build. Very knowledgeable, very capable, has a very cool shop. Had a lot more time to talk before he started the school, but from what I have heard, his classes are incredible resources. When I have time, I will be taking them.

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Permalink Reply by James P. Royle on December 12, 2008 at 8:38am

Ken Hundley said:

If you are willing to come to Chicago, Ian Snelling of Specimen Products has begun the Chicago School of Guitar Building. I have not taken any of his classes, but have had a couple instruments repaired with him, and received some great help from him with my first build. Very knowledgeable, very capable, has a very cool shop. Had a lot more time to talk before he started the school, but from what I have heard, his classes are incredible resources. When I have time, I will be taking them.

Thanks Ken, I'll check into His Info.

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Permalink Reply by James P. Royle on December 12, 2008 at 8:40am

Ken Hundley said:

If you are willing to come to Chicago, Ian Snelling of Specimen Products has begun the Chicago School of Guitar Building. I have not taken any of his classes, but have had a couple instruments repaired with him, and received some great help from him with my first build. Very knowledgeable, very capable, has a very cool shop. Had a lot more time to talk before he started the school, but from what I have heard, his classes are incredible resources. When I have time, I will be taking them.

I have also talked with Dale Unger at the Nazareth Guitar Institute. That looks promising too. Jim

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Permalink Reply by Zavaletas on December 13, 2008 at 2:37pm

Stewmac has a pretty good list of schools: http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/i-8010.html


There are a couple of other programs I know of. There is a BA degree offered in Musical Instrument Technology by London Guildhall University, where one may learn to build classical and flamenco guitars. Jose Lopez Bellido in Granada has taught courses since 1989 for the Junta de Andalucia. I don't know if Romanillos is still offering classes, but it would be worth checking.


James

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Permalink Reply by Ofer Y on December 17, 2008 at 9:42am

Thanks for asking the question, i was actually checking it also lately but more in the direction of "guitar building vacation" and not long term studies. I heard nice things about Canadian's Sergei De Jonge course:
http://www.dejongelutherie.com/course.html
And there is also american scholl of lutherie which looks promising:
http://www.americanschooloflutherie.com/

Another option may be Roberto Venn school:
http://roberto-venn.com/

Sorry that i don't have any expirience with them, wish i had some :-)

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Permalink Reply by James P. Royle on December 19, 2008 at 6:19am

Thank you. The De Jonge looks like a life changing experience. I would have a hard time not taking a flyrod with me. What a beautiful location for a guitar building vacation. He doesn't say anything about adoption on the site! It looks ideal.

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Permalink Reply by James P. Royle on December 22, 2008 at 6:39am

Ofer Y said:

Thanks for asking the question, i was actually checking it also lately but more in the direction of "guitar building vacation" and not long term studies. I heard nice things about Canadian's Sergei De Jonge course:
http://www.dejongelutherie.com/course.html
And there is also american scholl of lutherie which looks promising:
http://www.americanschooloflutherie.com/

Another option may be Roberto Venn school:
http://roberto-venn.com/

Sorry that i don't have any expirience with them, wish i had some :-)

See Summit School in Vancouver, BC

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Permalink Reply by Ship of fools on December 22, 2008 at 7:51am

Here is Summit guitars site for you, its a beautiful area to learn in and the school itself is pretty darn good, have know a few who attended, and they say they learnt a lot more than they thought they would.Ship
http://www.summitguitars.com/

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Permalink Reply by Paul on February 15, 2009 at 6:27pm

http://www.roberto-venn.com/

Didn't attend this school but it has a good reputation.

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Permalink Reply by Charles Freeborn on February 19, 2009 at 12:52pm

Ervin Somogyi also has occasional small group sessions that last a week. I've heard (from very reputable builders) that the experience had profound influence and improvement in their techniques. I'm not sure what "level" his course is aimed at, but I'd guess it's intended for those that already have some experience. I know Ervin well and I can say he's a prince of a guy and truly one of today's top builders.
http://www.esomogyi.com/classes.html
-C

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