So, you wanna be a part time luthier?
Looking to get started in luthiery, but can’t swing 400 hours of dedicated time?
Ready to begin building your skillset, but aren’t looking for employment?
Like the idea of fixing guitars part time, in your own space?
If you’re serious about luthiery, but not ready to change careers…
If you’re excited about working on your own instruments…
If you’re scrolling through YouTube tutorials already…
This might be the path for you.
The 200 hour course will teach you the fundamentals of luthiery work.
Just like the 400 hour course, you’ll control your own speed.
This shorter course will give you a solid foundation.
During these 200 hours, you’ll learn a lot.
You’ll surprise yourself.
You’ll thank yourself.
You’ll leave with the power to:
-Assess an instrument
-Determine what work is needed
-Perform all basic repair work, such as:
-Setups
-Fretwork
-Nuts and Saddles
-Basic Electrical repairs
You’ll know how a guitar works.
You’ll know how to make any guitar play better.
You’ll know how it feels to have control over your own instruments.
Got a full time job, and can only commit 10 hours a week?
That’s fine.
Got an inconsistent schedule, and need flexibility?
That’s fine.
These hours are yours to spend.
Take all the time you need.
"But Nate, isn't this information available on YouTube?"
Yep, a lot of it is.
It's scattered about, without a common thread or core philosophy linking it all together.
To make matters worse, anyone in the world can upload a video to YouTube.
How do you know if the information is correct?
I've been doing this work since 2011, in both guitar construction and instrument repair.
Not only can I teach you what to do, I can teach you what not to do.
And I think that's actually more helpful.
"Is this free?"
No.
Far from it, actually.
"My dad's friend built a guitar once, and he'll teach me for free."
Cool.
Go for it.
I've only built a few dozen.
I've only worked on a few thousand.
We're probably not a good fit.
"Couldn't I learn this at (insert school here)?"
Yeah, you could hear or read a lot of it at a school.
Maybe even a little bit more.
But will you learn it?
Any good lutherie school will recommend getting an apprenticeship afterward.
Any good lutherie school will recommend starting in someone else's shop.
Any good lutherie school will recommend learning on the job.
Maybe you've already read some books, watched some videos, or even taken a class.
I went to a lutherie school as well, and entered the real world of lutherie completely clueless.
My apprenticeship and subsequent work in high-volume repair shops gave me the real knowledge.
And just like me, you'll do your actual learning in the real world, dealing with real problems.
"How long does this training take?"
As far as the calendar goes, that's up to you.
I'm only concerned about the number of hours in the shop.
And if you're the right fit, you'll learn a lot of helpful stuff in 200 hours.
If you've got an open schedule, you could accomplish all of this in under 2 months.
If you're pretty committed in other areas of your life, it'll take longer.
Think about what you can reasonably commit to.
You've got a lot of control in this.
That's a good thing.
"How much does this training cost?"
Like my instrument repair services, this training is not fast.
Like my instrument repair services, this training is not cheap.
Your 200 hours of firsthand training in a real-world repair shop will cost $10,000.
"How do I apply?"
Send me an email.
Tell me a little about yourself.
Let me know whatever you think would be helpful.
Share some goals, experience, interests, etc.
Subject line: SHORTTERM
I'm only taking on one person in 2024.
I reserve the right to deny anyone (and everyone) if the right fit isn't found.
Ready to begin building your skillset, but aren’t looking for employment?
Like the idea of fixing guitars part time, in your own space?
If you’re serious about luthiery, but not ready to change careers…
If you’re excited about working on your own instruments…
If you’re scrolling through YouTube tutorials already…
This might be the path for you.
The 200 hour course will teach you the fundamentals of luthiery work.
Just like the 400 hour course, you’ll control your own speed.
This shorter course will give you a solid foundation.
During these 200 hours, you’ll learn a lot.
You’ll surprise yourself.
You’ll thank yourself.
You’ll leave with the power to:
-Assess an instrument
-Determine what work is needed
-Perform all basic repair work, such as:
-Setups
-Fretwork
-Nuts and Saddles
-Basic Electrical repairs
You’ll know how a guitar works.
You’ll know how to make any guitar play better.
You’ll know how it feels to have control over your own instruments.
Got a full time job, and can only commit 10 hours a week?
That’s fine.
Got an inconsistent schedule, and need flexibility?
That’s fine.
These hours are yours to spend.
Take all the time you need.
"But Nate, isn't this information available on YouTube?"
Yep, a lot of it is.
It's scattered about, without a common thread or core philosophy linking it all together.
To make matters worse, anyone in the world can upload a video to YouTube.
How do you know if the information is correct?
I've been doing this work since 2011, in both guitar construction and instrument repair.
Not only can I teach you what to do, I can teach you what not to do.
And I think that's actually more helpful.
"Is this free?"
No.
Far from it, actually.
"My dad's friend built a guitar once, and he'll teach me for free."
Cool.
Go for it.
I've only built a few dozen.
I've only worked on a few thousand.
We're probably not a good fit.
"Couldn't I learn this at (insert school here)?"
Yeah, you could hear or read a lot of it at a school.
Maybe even a little bit more.
But will you learn it?
Any good lutherie school will recommend getting an apprenticeship afterward.
Any good lutherie school will recommend starting in someone else's shop.
Any good lutherie school will recommend learning on the job.
Maybe you've already read some books, watched some videos, or even taken a class.
I went to a lutherie school as well, and entered the real world of lutherie completely clueless.
My apprenticeship and subsequent work in high-volume repair shops gave me the real knowledge.
And just like me, you'll do your actual learning in the real world, dealing with real problems.
"How long does this training take?"
As far as the calendar goes, that's up to you.
I'm only concerned about the number of hours in the shop.
And if you're the right fit, you'll learn a lot of helpful stuff in 200 hours.
If you've got an open schedule, you could accomplish all of this in under 2 months.
If you're pretty committed in other areas of your life, it'll take longer.
Think about what you can reasonably commit to.
You've got a lot of control in this.
That's a good thing.
"How much does this training cost?"
Like my instrument repair services, this training is not fast.
Like my instrument repair services, this training is not cheap.
Your 200 hours of firsthand training in a real-world repair shop will cost $10,000.
"How do I apply?"
Send me an email.
Tell me a little about yourself.
Let me know whatever you think would be helpful.
Share some goals, experience, interests, etc.
Subject line: SHORTTERM
I'm only taking on one person in 2024.
I reserve the right to deny anyone (and everyone) if the right fit isn't found.
