Major Details
The Guitar Development and Production diploma takes lutherie to a higher level of challenge. The program is designed for students who have successfully completed Guitar Repair and Building.
In Guitar Development and Production, you will take on more complex projects involving archtop construction, intricate inlay, and advanced finishing. You’ll also gain experience in more demanding repair work, such as fixing broken headstocks, using patches and splines, bridge plate removal, and techniques for flattening acoustic tops.
Successful students are detail-oriented, highly motivated, and have the ability to sit at a workbench and stay focused on their work all day.
Design and build your own instruments
Students in Guitar Development & Production learn how to use CAD (computer aided design) software and CAM (computer aided machining) to create custom instrument body, headstock, bridges, and other instrument components.
Students build at least two instruments over the course of the year. All students construct either an archtop guitar or an A-model mandolin. In addition, students build a custom instrument of their own design, selecting the body style, tone woods, bracing pattern, neck dimension, headstock shape, rosette, binding, inlay, and other elements. This is an opportunity for students to express their highest level of craftsmanship and creativity!
Optionally students will complete additional projects during Guitar Development and Production. At the end of the year, first- and second-year student instruments are displayed and played in concert by professional musicians at the annual Student Guitar Show.
Our graduates are in high demand, working in music stores, independent repair shops, and instrument manufacturers. Many go on to start their own businesses in guitar repair and building.
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For more information, visit www.redwingmusicrepair.org
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Download the Program Plan
Courses
1) 1000 level (minimum) General Education courses required unless specified.
Note:
It is recommended that this diploma be taken after completion of Guitar Repair and Building.
GTRB2402
Guitar Repair Shop
This course covers more advanced fretted instrument repairs such as neck and headstock crack, top, back, side, and brace crack repairs, splines, patches, fretwork on non-adjustable necks, and neck resets. Bridge plate removal and techniques for flattening acoustic tops will also be discussed. Completing basic set ups and repairs in a timely manner with professional quality, estimating parts, materials and labor will also be practiced. (Prerequisites: GTRB 1441, GTRB 1445, GTRB 1450, GTRB 1455) (4 credits: 1 lecture/3 lab)
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4 cr
GTRB2410
Guitar Special Topics
This class will be a 2-day workshop. It will provide an opportunity for 2nd year students to learn advanced techniques in repair, and or, building from one of the top professionals working in our field today. This will frequently be a past graduate and will also give the students a chance to learn from another source about the realities of going out into the workforce after graduation. (1 credit: 1 lecture/0 lab)
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1 cr
GTRB2412
Guitar Special Topics II
This class will be a 2-day workshop. It will provide an opportunity for 2nd year students to learn advanced techniques in repair, and or, building from one of the top professionals working in our field today. This will frequently be a past graduate and will also give the students a chance to learn from another source about the realities of going out into the workforce after graduation. (1 credit: 1 lecture/0 lab)
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1 cr
GTRB2416
Computer Drafting for Guitar
This course introduces Rhino design software students will use to create 2D and 3D design elements for guitar. Students will complete assignments for an established electric and acoustic guitar, creating 2D drawings and 3D models. In this course, students will establish the headstock, fingerboard and body aesthetics for an instrument to be built in the spring semester. Instrument design elements also included will be inlays, truss rods, control cavities, bridges and anything specific to what they hope to make. 3D modeling will be practiced and rendering of 3D models will be introduced. (Prerequisites: Pre-Math Level 3 Placement Level or GTRB 1441, GTRB 1445, GTRB 1450) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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4 cr
GTRB2417
CNC for Guitar Lecture
This course will focus on the use of RhinoCAM software to program and simulate tool paths for 2D and 3D models created in GTRB 2425. Students will also learn part layout and hold-down basics for operating a 3-axis CNC machine. (Corequisite: GTRB2415) (Prerequisites: GTRB 1441, 1445, 1450) (1 credit: 1 lecture/0 lab)
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1 cr
GTRB2419
CNC for Guitar Lab
This course will focus on 2 and 3-axis milling techniques using a CNC router and RhinoCAM software. Students will operate the CNC machine to create parts assigned in GTRB 2417, then program and machine templates and molds for instruments to be built in GTRB 2432. Students will also complete a 2D
blueprint of the instrument they plan to build in GTRB 2432. (Prerequisites: GTRB 1441, 1445, 1450) (2 credits: 0 lecture/1 lab)
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1 cr
GTRB2432
Advanced Construction Project
In this course the student will build the guitar they have designed and made templates and molds for in GTRB 2410, 2415, 2417 & 2418. Time management and problem solving will be crucial skills used and developed in this course. (Prerequisites: GTRB 1441, GTRB 1445, GTRB 1450, GTRB 2402, GTRB 2415, GTRB 2417, GTRB 2418; Concurrent enrollment in GTRB 2435) (9 credits: 2 lecture/7 lab)
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9 cr
GTRB2450
Advanced Guitar Finishing
This course covers the use of new technology coatings such as, two-component urethane and UV conversion finishes. Additional techniques using nitrocellulose lacquer will also be covered. Metallic finishes will also be used for applying gold top and colored metallic finishes. Touch up techniques will be practiced. Final sanding and polishing all types of film finishes will be practiced. (Prerequisites: GTRB 1450, GTRB 2416, GTRB 2417, GTRB 2419, GTRB 2425; Concurrent enrollment in GTRB 2432 ) (3 credits: 1 lecture/3 lab)
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4 cr
GTRB2455
Archtop/Mandolin Construction II
In this course the student will continue the construction of either their archtop guitar or their A style mandolin. Students will design some elements of the instrument. Various techniques with hand and power tools will be used to shape and fit the neck. The CNC will be introduced for one operation. Many skills will be used to complete this project including inlay and fretwork. (Prerequisite: GTRB 2425) (6 credits: 1 lecture/5 lab)
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6 cr
Total Credits Required for this Major: 37 Credits
Estimated Costs for this Major
| Approximate Tuition/Fees: | $8,835 |
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| Minimum Tool Cost: | $1,870 |
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| Books/Supplies: | $145 |
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| Estimated Total: | $10,850 |
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