Why We Replaced Our 10-Month Guitar Building Program with a 6-Month Intensive
- Michael Whitney
- Dec 18, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
How our longest-running guitar building program evolved into the 6-Month Intensive Guitar Building Program.
For several years, we offered a 10-month guitar building program designed for students seeking a comprehensive immersion into the craft. Over time, we refined the curriculum and condensed the program into our current 6-Month Intensive Guitar Building Program, allowing students to achieve the same core learning outcomes in a more focused format.
The original 10-month program was created for students who wanted to experience every aspect of guitar making, from blueprinting and template creation through to acoustic and electric guitar construction. While the program produced excellent results, we eventually discovered that students benefited more from a focused curriculum emphasizing quality of learning over the number of instruments completed.
For course details and answers to common questions, continue reading…
Michael Whitney | Luthier, Instructor
What We Learned from the 10-Month Program
The 10-month program was designed for students seeking a true immersion into the craft of guitar making. By spending an extended period in the shop, students were able to experience every stage of the process multiple times, developing confidence through repetition and gaining a deeper understanding of both acoustic and electric guitar construction.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the program was watching students progress from simple shop tasks and basic tool use to independently tackling complex operations such as neck carving, acoustic voicing, joinery, fretwork, finishing, and final setup. The extended format allowed students to build skills gradually while developing the problem-solving mindset required of any successful guitar maker.
As the program evolved, we began to recognize that the greatest value was not necessarily in the number of instruments completed, but in the quality of the learning experience. While students often completed multiple guitars during the course, the most meaningful outcomes were the confidence, independence, and understanding they developed along the way.
These observations ultimately led to the creation of our current 6-Month Intensive Guitar Building Program. By refining the curriculum and focusing on the skills and experiences that provided the greatest educational value, students are now able to achieve many of the same learning outcomes in a more focused and accessible format while still benefiting from one-on-one instruction and hands-on shop experience.
While the program is no longer offered in its original format, the impact it had on students can still be seen in the work they continue to produce today.
Student Spotlight
ELLIOTT WOODING, GIBSONS BC
I recently finished the 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 | Gibsons BC Canada
Elliott completed one of our extended guitar building programs and now builds guitars from his own shop in Gibsons, British Columbia.
Interested in the Current Program?
While the original 10-month program is no longer offered, many of the same principles and learning outcomes now form the foundation of our Extended Guitar Building Program.
Today, students can choose between our 3-Month Comprehensive Guitar Building Program and our 6-Month Intensive Guitar Building Program, depending on their goals, experience level, and desired depth of study..
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