Acoustic Guitar Building Course: 5 Week Duration
The Hamm-tone Guitar Building and Repair school is based in the lower level of Quest Musique at 1308 Portage Avenue in Winnipeg, Canada. Winnipeg's music scene is among the best in Canada, so get ready to experience complete musical immersion!
For the 5 Week Acoustic Class:
-Each student has their own workplace/bench and set of tools. Basic hand tool experience is definitely an asset, but not required. Each student is expected to demonstrate a willingness to learn and respect for their tools. In order to effectively teach a modern small-scale guitar making method we use a combination of both hand tools and power tools. Students can choose between a steel string acoustic guitar and a classical. I encourage you to come to the course with a good idea of the style of guitar you would like to build and the body shape, general dimensions are also a good idea. This course is 5 weeks long, therefore we have to find a good balance with our time, efficiency is key.
With the 5 week course we cover the following:
-guitar design
-joining tops and backs
-thicknessing wood using both hand planes and thickness sander
-inlaying rosettes & cutting soundholes
-bending sides
-bracing and voicing soundboards
-rim construction and different methods of assembling the body
-binding techniques: Only using solid wood binding
-dove-tail joints, the traditional American method for fastening necks onto guitars
-neck construction/carving
-headstock design and making
-fret-board slotting and radiusing
-basics on inlay
-fretting the neck
-french polishing and lacquering
-bridge construction and fitting &glueing
-nut and saddle making
-buffing
-setup basics: intonation, action, neck relief, fret dressing
Features found on Hamm-tone student built guitars that are often not covered by other schools:
-domed/radiused tops
-in 2018 we temporarily changed our rim making method, making the rim in a similar style to the "Beardsell rim". It was composed of three main parts: The solid exterior wood side, the middle basswood "double-kerfed"interior piece, and the inner veneer that you see when you look in the soundhole. It is incredibly stiff, yet lightweight. It also eliminates the need for kerfing. I have since switched back to solid sides with 2-3 interior veneers laminated on the inside to increase stiffness. This technique makes a guitar that is stiff with warmer bass response.
For your consideration: You can build your guitar with either:
-a traditional Martin style dovetail joint or
-a traditional Martin style dovetail joint with 1 bolt and threaded receiver inserts or
-a modern take on guitar neck joins: The Hamm-tone "Honeymoon Fit", which combines a bolt on Martin style dovetail joint with a Taylor guitars style mortoise and tenon shelf. It's easy for neck resets, great for building, finishing and assembly, and fantastic for future repairs. Tonally it sounds just like a standard dovetail, as the dovetail is what is holding all the neck tension, not the bolt. The bolt merely acts as a setting pin/lock.
-if time permits, I demonstrate sunbursting.
Upcoming classes listed on calendar page.
Deposits are non-refundable, but under certain circumstances I may sometimes be willing to transfer to a class at a later date.
We cover every detail that a guitar builder will come across when building and I oversee each student's individual progress along every step. I explain every part of the guitar in such a way that helps provide a realistic understanding with regards to the mechanics of the instrument. I think that it's a wonderful thing for a guitar player to have the ability to know their instrument and be able to identify problems, troubleshoot and fix their guitars in the future. This course helps debunk a lot of myths and give people the confidence that they may not have had otherwise. The guitars that have left this shop built by my students have exceeded my expectations on a regular basis.
The price of the course is $4250 CAD, plus applicable taxes. This includes the cost of the materials. A $750.00 deposit is required prior to the start of the course to ensure a spot is saved for you. The guitar you build here is the guitar you keep! Take note: International students often mention how good a dollar value this class is. Some schools that teach musical instrument building will keep the student instruments and sell them for profit after they are completed! This instrument belongs to YOU! High-school diploma is required and minimum age 18 years to participate. |
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About the shop: The new shop is a very reasonable size. It has a welcoming area, a main work area where the individual benches are, a machine room and a finishing room. I really like my stationary buffing arbour, you will be able to get aquainted with it if you are very careful. There is a maximum of 4 students per session to ensure quality student/instructor time.
Upcoming Dates: listed on class calendar page/course dates
Upcoming Dates: listed on class calendar page/course dates
Where we are:
Hamm-tone Guitars
1308 Portage Avenue, lower level of Quest Musique, in Winnipeg, Canada.
Hamm-tone Guitars
1308 Portage Avenue, lower level of Quest Musique, in Winnipeg, Canada.