About the Class
Build a Martin OM Style Acoustic Guitar from scratch and take it home in your personalized carrying case during this one-week intensive guitar building class in Bethlehem, Pa. Housing is available for students at no additional cost.
The Martin Guitar Foundation Luthier Lab, at Northampton Community Colleges Fab Lab, offers a one-week guitar building class, perfect for the beginner or advanced builder. Class runs Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5pm.
Students will learn the fundamentals of guitar construction as they bend the sides, brace the top and back, build the body, make a nut, saddle and fingerboard from raw blanks, dress the frets, set the neck and ready for finish. This build is both challenging and fun.
If you are interested in instrument building or becoming a Luthier, this is a great class to get you started. Register early, seating is limited. Previous woodworking experience is very helpful.
Register now or complete the form below for more information!
About The Instructors
Bil Mitchell
The first Bil Mitchell guitar was built in 1979. That very first guitar began a life-long journey in education, consistency, expression, and refinement. Bil Mitchell Guitars are created entirely by hand in his workshop in Pennsylvania. What separates his guitars from the rest is his extensive abilities in all aspects of guitar construction from engineering to unique artistic expression. He currently serves as the Fab Lab’s lead Luthier Program instructor, teaching both instrument construction and repair and maintenance. He also provides part-time technical support for all Lab facilities.
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Bryce Harrison
Bryce worked for 8 years in the C.F. Martin & Co.'s Custom Shop, fixing and building custom guitars. He performed every process there, from neck carving and body construction to finish-work and polishing. His multifaceted skills led to Bryce becoming the Custom Shop’s lead repair technician, fixing an encyclopedic list of guitar repair needs.
Bryce left Martin to enlist in the U.S. Air Force, where he became a crew chief on the KC-10 refueling tanker. He transferred to a combat engineer unit with the PA Air National Guard, where he performs various construction projects. Bryce now works in the Fab Lab as a Technician and Luthier Program Assistant.
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Sean Brandle
Director of the Fab Lab and Luthier Program, Sean works full time at the lab after spending over seven and a half years at Martin Guitar. Sean was one of the original 12 luthiers of the renowned Martin Guitar Custom Shop. Mastering the crafts of hand carving custom necks and hand fretting non-adjustable necks. Sean went on to become Martin Guitar’s Custom Design and Inlay Artisan for six years. During this time, Sean was the lead inlay artist who designed custom limited edition high-end guitars for Martin as well as designing and inlaying custom guitars for nationally known artists such as John Mayer, Eric Clapton, John Oates, Ed Sheeran, Thomas Rhett and many others.
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