This workshop presents the essential procedures for a variety of guitar, bass and other string instrument repairs which may include headstock break and crack repair, bridge replacement, brace repair, minor saddle alteration, body crack repair, finish retouching, minor fret repair, proper set-up principles and electronics troubleshooting. Demonstrations repairs will be made on instruments in the shop. Students are encouraged to bring their own instruments to repair.
Instructors will provide lecture/demonstrations presenting solutions to the repair problems at hand in the shop and those which students present with their own instruments. Students will then execute specific procedures on their own instruments with the assistance of the instructor.
Schedule
Weekend workshop: 10 am- 4pm, Saturday & Sunday
Week-night workshop: 7pm-9:30 pm, on the same night each week, for 3 consecutive weeks.
Enrollment
Enrollment is limited to 8 students.
Fee
Course fee: $485 weeknight workshop. $585 weekend workshop. * Summer workshop. Tuition includes lecture/demonstrations, handout materials, use of specialized tools, guitar workbench and shop supplies.
Registration
Enroll online on this page with a credit card or paypal, or by phone: 773.489.4830, or with a check mailed to us or in person. You will receive a registration confirmation email once we receive payment.
Accommodations
Click Here for a list of nearby places to stay during seminars, along with transportation information.
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Instructor will share proprietary techniques and reference traditional repair methods all with a strong emphasis on quality and craftsmanship.
Students will learn about various glues, materials, procedures and shop tools and how to use them properly.
Instructors will demonstrate the proper use of a drill press, belt sanders, and a variety of hand tools used in various procedures.
Students will execute specific procedures on their own instruments with the assistance of the instructor.
Instructors
Ian Schneller Ian is Chief Instructor of Chicago School of Guitar Making, Chief Amp and Instrument Repairs Specialist at Specimen and owner of Specimen Products, Inc. Ian is also a faculty member of the Sculpture Department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Pete Mueller Pete is a guitar repair technician at Specimen. Pete teaches Set-up for Guitar, Bass & Strings, Bone Nut & Saddle Making & the Fretting Workshop at the Chicago School of Guitar Making.
Richard Phillis Richard is a guitar repair technician and surface finisher at Specimen. Rich teaches Set-up for Guitar, Bass & Strings, Effects Pedal Building, Guitar Electronics and Finishing & Relicing Workshops at the Chicago School of Guitar Making.
How to Register
You can register for any of our classes on-line, by phone, through the mail, or in person. We will send you a confirmation email of your registration once we receive payment.
Register Online
Make your selection of the class dates you wish to attend (and if applicable, the type of kit ) in Available Dates column on the upper right of this page and click ENROLL NOW > Enter the required information and then proceed to pay by clicking the Paypal button where you can pay with either Paypal or a Credit Card. NOTE: It is NOT necessary to have a Paypal account to use their service.
Registration by Phone: 773.489.4830
If you prefer registering by phone with your credit card: Please call us at 773.489.4830 and we will complete your registration over the phone. We will send you a confirmation via email, or by snail mail if you prefer.
Register by MAIL with a CHECK
You must first contact us to register to pay by check in the mail. Please call us at 773.489.4830 to reserve your space in the class. Please print out the registration form and mail it to: Specimen Products 1240 N. Homan Ave Chicago, IL 60651 We will email or snail mail your enrollment confirmation upon receipt of your mail-in registration form/payment.
Register in Person
You can come in to the shop during business hours and enroll using cash, your credit card, or a personal check. We’re open Monday through Friday 12 – 7 pm, Saturday 12-5 pm. We are closed on Sundays. Map our location. Please call us at 773.489.4830 to let us know that you wish to register, so that we can save your space. Registrations are limited to 8 students.