Wells Guitar Workshop

Build a Guitar with Sylvan Wells

Design and build the acoustic guitar or Fender style electric of your dreams! Spend ten days (a week and a long weekend) in beautiful New England at the Wells Guitar Workshop and learn the principles of how to build an acoustic or electric guitar in a very unique teaching format. Recently, one of my very first students, Keith Lisle, sent me some photos of his latest works, one of which he sold to the family of "Judge Judy". I cannot tell you how proud I am of his work. He’s making killer guitars!

I only offer this course four times per year.

The Teaching Format / ONE ON ONE

During this one-on-one course, I will teach you the techniques needed to build your preferred style of guitar and guide you through the entire process of building your instrument. All aspects of the construction will be covered, including design, construction, setup, jigs, fixtures, and general shop practice and safety. Get the answers to all of your building questions and build a great instrument at the same time! At the end of the course you will take home your instrument, as well was an extensive outline of what you learned, why and how we did each step, when we did it, and all the photos and notes you can make during the period.

Course Length and Costs

Instructor	Sylvan Wells
Location	Massachusetts
Class size	individual
Style of Instrument	Acoustic steel string guitar, Electric guitar
Duration	10 consecutive days
Contact	website

The One on One Course is ten very full days in length. I only teach this one-on-one course a maximum of four times a year, so scheduling is very flexible. The course is ten days of intensive instruction in building a basic acoustic instrument (a Dreadnaught, 000 or 00) or a Fender style electric, resulting in a guitar “in the white” to take home. It will be completely constructed, but not painted. You can either paint the instrument at home or have it professionally finished here or elsewhere and sent to you at a later time. I encourage you to finish the instrument yourself and, to further that end, will provide you with step by step instructions in finishing the instrument in nitrocellulose lacquer. The course includes approximately 80-90 hours of one-on-one instruction in the Workshop and includes all written materials, including, for the acoustic builders, a step by step instruction manual which we will follow in building your guitar. The tuition is $3,750.00 and includes the course and the materials (no electronics) used in making your instrument. After ten very full days, you will leave with a world class instrument you constructed and the knowledge and written materials necessary to continue making instruments at home should you so desire.