Guitar Repair and Design
Access to 23 years of College Classes !
In my retirement I have been preparing
videos that cover all aspects of the
curriculum that I formulated for these courses.
Now you can have a front row seat with a rewind button !
https://www.patreon.com/Guitarchitect
Become a patron
Join me on Patreon
Access to 23 years of College Classes !
In my retirement I have been preparing
videos that cover all aspects of the
curriculum that I formulated for these courses.
Now you can have a front row seat with a rewind button !
https://www.patreon.com/Guitarchitect
Become a patron
Join me on Patreon
The Full Box of Goodies :^ )
Both Tony and Tim went for the whole enchilada ...
TechDecks / Neck Surgery Kits / Bridge Slotting Jigs
Radiused Disc Assemblies / Mini Neck Assemblies
and Additional Long V-Blocks .....
by the time they'd finished their
Level 2 training.
Now both of them, are
generating some serious ROI !
Dear Michael,
You have been delivering this training through Continuing Education at Conestoga College for over 15 years
now ( actually 23 years !). The quality of your courses and the feedback from your students is nothing but exceptional. Your passion is contagious. Your students respect your knowledge and you inspire them to further develop their skills and allow them the opportunity to apply what they have learned. Conestoga College is proud to have you as a Professor. You are expert in your field, reliable, punctual and a pleasure to work with!
Sincerely,
Sandra Schelling
Dean, Continuing Education and Corporate Training
Conestoga College
( October 2010 )
These courses have evolved over years,
to include increasingly more options for Guitar Enthusiasts,
or for those who work for / or own Music stores,
Guitar teachers who are looking for some extra income
or for Guitar Techs who are looking to
increase their productivity.
From the beginning, it was my goal to provide
a practical, no-nonsense approach to guitar
setup, for the various members of the guitar family.
You don't need to take a leave of absence from work,
or take out a second mortgage on your house
to accomplish these goals.
From the initial the course offerings 25 years ago
things have expanded dramatically to now include 350+ Videos
for those who want to expand their repair skills .
Guitar Repair and Design
These videos give everyone
the chance to witness
a large cross-section of instruments for
practical application of setup and repair techniques.
The guitar family extrapolates in many directions ...
12 string / Arch top / solid body /
fretted and fretless basses / nylon string classicals
Strats / Tele / Les Paul / etc... etc ...
The opportunity to examine and adjust so many
different types of guitars and discuss the
idiosyncrasies and "rules of physics"
for each member of the guitar family;
is what has made these Videos so enduring;
a chance for you to expand your knowledge and
ramp up your practical "hands on" skills,
while working in the comfort of your home shop.
Hey Mike! Chris Van de Maele here. Former student.
just wanted to tell you again, thanks for all you have taught me. A new world for me has opened up thanks to you. I only get better and better as I go, and I keep my eyes and ears open to keep learning all the time. Almost all my life has been playing guitar, and having repair a part of it now is the best. You are on ongoing inspiration Mike. All the best. You rock buddy. Peace.
Guitar Repair and Design
These Video studies include a complete re-fret of the bound fingerboard and / or electric bass conversion: fretted to fretless (depending on the needs of the students); safe removal of acoustic guitar bridges and fabrication of a new bridge from a rosewood / ebony blank, calculating compensation for intonation and slotting the new bridge for saddle placement, compensated nuts / saddles fabricated from bone blank, acoustic guitar fingerboard / neck removal, broken head-stock ( splicing ) repair and touch-up; repair and replacement of loose braces; fabrication and installation of cross-grain quarter-sawn splices for repair of cracks and fractures, a study of hide glue and it's practical applications, french polish/lacquer-stick for fret repair touch up, installation of an on-board acoustic-electric system; Practical soldering and wiring tips for pick-up replacement, input jacks, volume and tone controls. Workstations and hand tools are supplied in class for the duration of the course.
A detailed step-by-step analysis of compensated nut fabrication is also included in the Third Tier Level Videos. You will be shown how to calculate and fabricate a compensated nut for all of the various scale lengths and fingerboard radius choices; from a blank to the finished / precisely calculated nut.
These Videos are always be influenced, to a degree, by the projects that each individual subscriber brings to the table. This allows each group of subscribers to steer the curriculum to address their own particular needs.
I always cover material over and above the designated curriculum.
23 of the students on this page purchased a
TechDeck Workstation.
TechDeck Workstation.
I went online last week to check the current pricing for the work that I have completed on my instruments during this Level 1 training. It would have cost me $900 + for the work I have completed myself during these six 3hr lessons... Thanks Mike !
R Doughty ( Stratford )
"The extra tools and " above and beyond the call of duty " approach was evident throughout the course". Warren H. ( London )
"Always spoke positively about progression in learning." Carlos P.
( Brampton )
"I can now do things I wouldn't have even dared to try before". Cody M.
future Videos." Matt B.( St.Marys )
"Everything brought to the table was well planned and demonstrated." Rob D.
( Stratford )
( Stratford )
"Mike made this course really enjoyable, a great person to learn from." Peter D.
"Very thorough ; many things to know, so many variables. " Ryan M
+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+PICT0014.JPG)
"Great course and great info! Thanks a lot Michael!" Michael S.
( London )
( London )
" I have benefited hugely from this course. It has allowed me to learn a lot of skills in a hands on environment. Tons of practical no nonsense knowledge. Ryan Mc.
" I now have a solid foundation for making money with these skills.
"Thank you for your graciousness, enthusiasm and encouragement ". Warren H.
+of+PICT0013.JPG)
"Thanks for providing such a great course.
These Videos feel like I'm get personal attention from you while you cover such a variety of jobs.
Verys inspiring and exciting thanks for making this happen"". Clarke V.
(Toronto)
Is there really that much work out there ?
When you consider how many instruments are out there, ( over 2.5 million new guitars sold last 2018 .... in the US alone ! ) and how rare it is to find one that is actually 100% perfectly set-up; I think it is safe to say that most guitars, most of the time are in need of some work! Whether it be a light fret dressing, a complete refret,edge dressing sharp protruding fret ends, setups, pickup installs etc... etc...
There are more instruments in need of work, than there are qualified individuals, who are capable of doing the work that needs to be done.
 |
Guitar Repair and Design
Chris ( cknowles@ckcustomguitars.ca ) is finessing the fit on this
Gibson ( rebuilt ) dovetail before re-gluing.
FAQ:
Who watches these Videos ?
The subscribers ages span from 15 -74 years old. Over the last 25 years, I have taught people from all walks of life; guitar teachers, farmers, auto-mechanics, church ministers, music store owners and their employees; college students, professional musicians,CEO's, a University Professor, a retired RCMP Sergeant , an OPP officer, soldiers, a lawyer, computer programmers and I-T guys, artists, electrical / mechanical engineers, carpenters, music teachers, music promotors, a surgeon, an elephant trainer, cabinet makers, real estate agents, accountants, a school principal, guitar collectors, guitar builders, guitar techs and guitar enthusiasts who have come to hone their skills; or just regular folks who simply want to learn to set-up and maintain their own "brigade" of instruments. All of these students benefit from these " straight - to - the - point " video tutorials, that shed light on so many subjects that have long been considered "secret information" for a select group.
What makes these videos different from other approaches ?
#1. The interaction between my subscribers, tends to fire up and sustain a genuine enthusiasm for a subject that we all hold dear to our hearts ... an awesome playing Guitar!!
#2.These videos cover a broad cross-section of challenges and offer the chance for "accelerated learning" that would be impossible to duplicate in an isolated atmosphere, struggling with one instrument at a time. It seems that the average subscriber tends to own 6 guitars.
#3 The work covered in these videos, easily off-sets the tiny subscription fee.
#4 These videos don't require a " leave of absence " from work or a "second mortgage on your house" to finance !
#5 You don't need a $100,000 CNC machine, or $10, 000 worth of highly specialised tools. You don't need to pay a $12,000 / $18,000 tuition, to get started. This is a realistic and affordable way to " ramp up" your skill level. .. and you can keep your day job while you're learning ! Many practical techniques and tips are shared openly with my subscribers to get them started without "breaking the bank".
How much does the average Guitar Tech make ?
There are many examples of "Blue book " prices online. A detailed price list is handed out to the students that is based on my own industry experience over the last 4 decades. The average hourly rate is $55 -$95 an hour. We also cover the aspects of developing a customer base and maintaining a good work ethic and integrity while building a business that suits the individuals' requirements and expectations.
Just like in any other trade ..... the amount of work, the quality of your work and proper planning, will determine your bottom line.
Guitars by their inherent fragility, and sensitivity to atmospheric and seasonal change, never arrive at a place of constant stability.
This means that all instruments will always need ongoing maintenance and adjustments to keep them playing flawlessly and perfectly in tune.
Guitar Repair and Design
A detailed step-by-step analysis of compensated nut fabrication is also included in the 3rd Tier Level. Students will be shown how to calculate and fabricate a compensated nut for all of the various scale lengths and fingerboard radius choices; from a blank of bone or tusq to the finished / precisely calculated nut.
The Videos on Patreon are always influenced, to a degree, by the projects that my subscribers bring to the table.
Acoustic-Electric system install
Cross grain Koa veneer patch for control panel
Additional Student comments:
"I can't believe what I am now able to do on my own." Bill C.
"Excellent experience, I would strongly recommend to others." Warren H.
"Obviously you have been through many processes of elimination to come up with the most efficient, simple, yet correct way of doing each repair and to me they seem logical , not mystical. The thing that impressed me most was the way you took what seemed to me to be the complex make-up of the guitar and simplified it to a step-by-step, controlled process that most could follow." Paul H.
I am filing papers this week seeking a Court Order that Mike adopt me, requiring that he teaches me everything he knows. Given his vast knowledge, this may take 20 or 30 years.
Seriously, many thanks Mike, for your instruction and guidance. It was an absolute pleasure. Great to meet and hang out with all you guys. -
Dave S. ( the Lawyer / Rippin' blues guitarist in the class )
Seriously, many thanks Mike, for your instruction and guidance. It was an absolute pleasure. Great to meet and hang out with all you guys. -
Dave S. ( the Lawyer / Rippin' blues guitarist in the class )
"The amount of detailed information and the variety of topics was incredible." Josh D.
"I own a number of guitars and wanted to learn how to do basic repairs. It was very informative; he took the time to show us in great detail." Larry J.
