Luthier Classes
Sharing the skills and building a community of artists
Be the artist!
At H. T. Wentz we believe in sharing the skills we have developed in hopes of building a community of builders and luthiers. We offer classes in the building of several types of instruments. All classes are designed to accommodate students of all skill levels from novice to accomplished luthier.
Electric Guitar Build Class
Designed to be a 12-16 week class this class is geared to those who want to explore the art of modern electric guitar building. This class covers all facets of the process from selecting raw materials, layout, fabrication, finishing, and final set-up. Classes meet weekly.
We also offer this class in a one week crash course twice a year.
Reach out for scheduling and availability.
Electric / Acoustic Guitar Setup
Be your own guitar tech and quit paying that big box store to do the work you can do yourself! We offer a 1 afternoon, 4 hour class, on how to set up and maintain your electric and/or acoustic guitars. This course covers truss rod adjustments, fret leveling & polishing, intonation adjustments, care and maintenance.
Reach out for scheduling and availability.
Acoustic Guitar Build Class
This is our most popular class! Running 12-16 months this class allows you to hone you hand crafting skills by learning the methods of the old masters. Meeting weekly this class covers everything you need to know about acoustic guitar building. Topics include selecting raw materials, tap testing, layout, tuning the top and back, bracing layout, fretting, finishing, and final set-up.
Reach out for scheduling and availability.
Electric Design/Build Class
For our experienced builders we offer the opportunity to design and build an electric guitar of your own creation. We cover all aspects of the design phase from scalelength calculation, hardware layout and placement, electronics selection and custom wiring, and custom finishes. In the past we have done everything from neck through designs to multi-scalelength designs. If you can dream it we can help you build it.
Reach out for scheduling and availability.
Violin/Fiddle Build Class
Starting in the spring of 2024 H. T. Wentz is proud to offer a new class in violin/fiddle building. Meeting weekly this class will focus on the centuries old art of building the queen of the instruments. Topics include selecting raw materials , tap testing, layout, carving the top and back, scroll carving, finishing, and final set-up.
Reach out for scheduling and availability.
“Every artist was first an amateur”
— Ralph Waldo Emmerson