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Full Guitar Repair School Course, ESFIR Curriculum Outline | Luthier School





Week One
Student Orientation
  • Discussion and demonstration of proper workbench set-up and proper use of hand tools.
  • Course outline and curriculum will be discussed in-depth, explanation of grading and evaluation process.
  • Student handbooks will be distributed at this time and reviewed by instructor and student body.
Understanding Wood:
  • Tonal Response
  • Wood and its environment
Shop Safety
Discussion and demonstration of shop safety.


Week Two
Basic Guitar Evaluation

The purpose of this instructional block is to introduce the luthier school student to the various concepts concerning the dynamics and physical characteristics of electric, acoustic, and bass guitars via live demonstrations and extensive hands-on evaluations.

Week Three
Basic Acoustic Guitar Set-ups

This instructional block is a discussion and hands-on demonstration of the basic techniques and specifications that make up a complete acoustic guitar set-up. This instructional block builds upon and utilizes all aspects of basic guitar evaluation (Week Two).

Week Four
Bridge Removal and Installations – Bridge Doctors

This instructional block continues the instruction of proper set-up of acoustic guitars. Also demonstrated are the various methods of repairing headstock tuning gears of various types. A demonstration and explanation of the use of “Bridge Doctors” and their effect on guitar tops is part of this instructional block. Bridges: Instructional on repair techniques to include removal and re-installation of acoustic guitar bridges. Students will be required to demonstrate above techniques in bridge repair to include removal and installation.

Week Five
Nut Fabrication

This is an instructional block that demonstrates the proper techniques and skills needed to properly fabricate nuts from scratch on the standard guitar. Students will observe a live demonstration of the construction of each of the above listed components and will be required to take detailed notes, including a step-by-step process for the construction of nuts. School students will then make nuts using their notes and step-by-step written instructions.

Week Six
Nut Fabrication (continued) and Intro to Saddle Fabrication

This instructional block is a continuation of the various techniques, specifications, and skill sets necessary to execute model specific nut fabrication. Continuing with intro into Saddle Fabrication.

Week Seven
Nut and Saddle Fabrication (continued)

This instructional block will include discussion and practical evaluation techniques relative to both glue-in necks and through neck electric guitars. Students will be taught specific structural issues and common problems concerning this type of guitar. School students will then make nuts and saddles using their notes and step-by-step written instructions. All


Week Eight
Guitar Electronics and Wiring

This instructional block is an in-depth discussion, demonstration, and practical application in all aspects of electronic repairs of all types of components used is electric guitar/basses. Subject areas covered are:

  • Basic Wiring Diagrams
  • Wire
  • Pots
  • Jacks
  • Switches
  • Pickups
  • Miscellaneous

Week Nine
Guitar Electronics and Wiring (continued)

Practical application.

Week Ten
Archtop Guitar Set-ups and Wiring

Practical application.This instructional block will include discussion and demonstration of proper set-up techniques for arch top and semi-hollow body guitars.


Week Eleven
Bolt-On Electric Guitars

  • Neck to body mounting and determining correct mounting angle and movement
  • Proper specifications for neck relief
  • String height and pick-up function and proper adjustment for same
  • Guitar electronics practicals
Practical application.

Week Twelve
Fixed Neck Guitars and Bolt-On (continued)

This instructional block is an in-depth discussion, demonstration, and practical application in all aspects of electric guitar/basses.
  •  
  • Explanation of different set-up specifications for various guitar styles/types

Evaluation/Testing



Week Thirteen
Bass Guitars and Fixed Neck (continued)

Discussion and demonstration of active electronics for electric guitar

Week Fourteen
Floyd Rose Style Locking Systems

This instructional block will discuss the system dynamics and specific physical breakdown of the system components of various Floyd Rose bridges.
  • Set-up techniques
  • Repair and replacement of bridge components, as necessary
  • Practical application of set-up techniques

Evaluation/Testing


Week Fifteen
Fret Dressing
Level, Crown and Polish


This instructional block will include a discussion of advanced neck dynamics including physical characteristics of various neck woods and the attendant problems concerning them. Basic approach in use of fret leveling files/crowning files and polishing and finishing techniques for both frets and fingerboards will also be demonstrated.

School students will be required to demonstrate their ability to use all tools correctly to achieve an acceptable final product.

Week Fifteen
Introduction to Refretting
Fret Dressing LCP (cont.)

Practical application of various fret dressing styles and techniques

Week Sixteen
Refretting Guitar and Bass Necks

This instructional block will demonstrate various styles and types of refretting techniques and will include both demonstrations and video instruction on refretting techniques of vintage guitars.

Week Seventeen
Refretting Guitar and Bass Necks (cont.)

Practical application and practice of various refretting techniques

Week Eighteen
Refretting (cont.)

Practical application and practice of various refretting techniques

Week Nineteen

Review and Remedial Training
Business and Field Work Discussion
Introduction to Crack Repair/ Drop-Fills (TBA)



Week Twenty

Student Evaluation

Students will demonstrate their ability to perform all tasks under predetermined time limits. Customer service skills will be demonstrated during each of the tasks. This ensures students communication skills are in works prior to working with the public. Students will be allowed to attempt to successfully demonstrate any skill sets they had previously failed to do correctly during instructional block evaluations as well as testing.

Students will submit their notes for evaluation by the instructor. Same exemption as listed before for disabled/handicapped applies.

  • Performance of learned task under time constraints.
  • Tech/Customer interaction
  • Student Make-up Testing
  • Student Notebook for review


Student Make-up Testing

Students will be allowed to attempt to successfully demonstrate any skill sets they had previously failed to demonstrate correctly during previous instructional blocks.

Classes