3-Week Electric Guitar Building Course
- Michael Whitney
- Dec 17, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 15, 2025
Build your own Electric Guitar from Scratch!
Thank you for your interest in our three-week Electric Guitar Building Course. If you have the desire to build your very own electric guitar from the ground-up, this three-week, on-site course will give you an amazing one-on-one, hands-on experience and have you completing the course with an electric guitar that you’ve made by hand!
This course is a perfect introduction to guitar building for either the hobbyist or aspiring luthier.
For course details and answers to common questions, continue reading...
Michael Whitney | Luthier, Instructor
What can I Expect from your 3-Week Electric Guitar Building Course?
The goal of this course is to impart the knowledge and confidence for you to build your very own electric guitar that you’ll take home with you and enjoy for many years to come.
This is a no-fluff, get down to work ‘bootcamp’, of sorts, but one that will leave you smiling, ear-to-ear.
During your time in my shop, you’ll use my existing templates and jigs as well as all of the required power and hand tools to complete your guitar.
Little-to-no experience with power tools? No problem. I take a ground-up approach with all of my students and build upon more basic tasks to foster the confidence you’ll need to perform any shop-task.
From there, you’re free to simply enjoy your new guitar and revel in your accomplishments or take the proverbial ball and run with it. I have a strong feeling that once you’ve built one guitar, you’ll have the fire to build more!
Course Snapshot
Below is a loose walk-thru of what to expect during the first week of the electric guitar building course. Be prepared for an amazing course - you’re guaranteed to have a lot of fun!
DAY 1: Meet-and-greet; shop tour; shop safety & etiquette; design theory overview; template overview; milling and prepping the body blank; milling cavities; drilling wiring channels etc.
DAY 2: ; Applying round-overs / chamfers; initial sanding. Milling the neck blank; milling fingerboard stock; slotting the fingerboard; radiusing the fingerboard.
DAY 3: Cutting truss-rod channel; installing truss-rod; gluing fingerboard; discussion and theory on principles of neck carving and faceting.
Day 4: Neck carving practice ('dummy' neck).
DAY 5: Affixing the fingerboard and installing frets.
The goal of the three-week electric guitar building course is to teach students how to build an electric guitar from scratch using our shop templates and tools. If you wish to take a deeper dive into guitar design theory, mold making, finishing and building more than one guitar, we encourage you to consider one of our other guitar building courses.
Student Spotlight
ELLIOTT WOODING - GIBSONS, BC CANADA
I recently finished the three month guitar building course at Whitney Guitars and I have to say it was an amazing experience. I’m now at home and have the knowledge and confidence to set up my own shop and start building guitars. Mike is an awesome teacher. -Elliott Wooding
3-Week Electric Guitar Building Course Details
Certificate Program Yes |
Course Type On-site; hands-on; one-on-one. |
Style Tele-style, Strat-style, or flat-top Les Paul-style. |
Body Wood Mahogany, Ash or Walnut. |
Nut Bone |
Fretboard Ebony or Rosewood |
Finish Hand-rubbed |
Course Duration 3-Weeks |
Hours 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
Deposit $600 (includes $100 registration fee) |
We ask that you review our School Policies before registering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What course dates are available?
As we are a working shop, much of our calendar year is reserved for custom guitar commissions. With only a portion of the year being allocated to teaching, course dates vary from year-to-year. Be sure to view our specific courses for the next available dates.
Please not that we operate on a first-come-first-serve basis and recommend that those interested register as far in advance as possible. Requested course dates will be taken into consideration but are not guaranteed. Registrants may submit their course deposit to secure their spot in our calendar. All courses require a $600 deposit which includes a $100 non-refundable administration fee. Please see our ‘Registration and Payment Policies‘ before applying.
How do I submit my deposit?
If you are interested in studying at our school, the first step is to register for a given course. Successful registrants will be able to submit their deposit at that time.
NOTE: The remainder of the course fee is due on the first day of class. A payment schedule for our longer 3-month, 6-month and 1-year courses will be considered and arranged via our admin department on a case-by-case basis. Please see our ‘Registration and Payment Policies‘ for more information or contact our admin department directly to discuss additional payment plan options.
Do you provide accommodations?
Unfortunately, we do not currently offer accommodations. However, most of our students stay at local AirBnBs. The Okanagan valley is a tourist mecca boasting endless wine-tasting, stunning scenery and tons of outdoor activities. You’ll definitely love the quaint town of Summerland and the surrounding area.
Can I go on a wait-list for your next course?
Yes. Students wanting to pre-register are encouraged to do so as far in advance as possible.
If you have questions about coming course availability, feel free to contact the school to discuss.
Do I need to bring anything with me for the course?
As you’ll be in a working shop, hearing protection, safety glasses, a dust-mask, and appropriate footwear is recommended. If you’d like a specific list of items, please contact our admin department.
Notebooks, binders and pens / pencils are recommended as well.
Some students like to work with their own lutherie tools. If you have a small kit you’d like to bring, that is encouraged, although not necessary.
Do I get to apply finish to my guitar?
Within the scope of this course, the focus is on guitar building and assembly. During this tight window, most students are able to apply one-three coats of a hand-rubbed finish to their instruments.
Additionally, students are free to apply finish to their guitar at their own shop or pay me a fee to finish the instrument (i.e. high-gloss lacquer) and ship it to them when complete.
Do I require my own hardware? What is included?
All woods and hardware are included in the course cost. We only use quality-made parts and tonewoods. NOTE: We do not offset course fees for student-purchased parts.
I still have questions. Can you help?
Of course. For all other inquiries, feel check our ‘General FAQs‘ or free to email our admin department.
Comments