About
Embark on an immersive journey into the world of luthiery. The Luthier Program at the Martin Guitar Foundation Luthier Lab at Northampton Community College (NCC) goes beyond the art of building guitars, integrating essential elements such as OSHA training and brand strategy development to ensure a well-rounded education for aspiring luthiers. Students construct acoustic and electric guitars and learn essential skills to create unique instruments through in-depth courses such as hand carving, inlay, and CNC machining. Expert instructors guide students through traditional and modern techniques, from basic woodworking to custom-designed bodies, and ensure each student emerges with the skills to create instruments of exceptional quality and sound.
Details
The Luthier Certificate Program is a four-month journey with full-time classes The Luthier Certificate Program is a full-time program with classes from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. All classes are located at the Martin Guitar Foundation Luthier Lab at the NCC Fowler Campus in Bethlehem, PA. The Fall 2025 Semester starts on August 18th and concludes on December 19th.
The program provides top-of-the-line education to enhance your guitar-building skills and business development. Students will build seven (7) stringed instruments and complete courses complimentary to the luthier field.
The journey to becoming a luthier is not only about building stringed instruments, it is also about learning how to establish a unique identity in the luthier market. By exploring the fundamentals of branding, logo design, and marketing, students will establish a compelling narrative to effectively market in the industry.
Our competitive program offers a tailored experience by accepting a limited amount of students, ensuring personalized one-on-one instruction. Each student is equipped with a dedicated workbench and a set of tools, fostering a focused and immersive learning environment. To be considered for our program, applicants are required to provide a compelling statement outlining their passion and motivation for pursuing a career as a luthier. We encourage candidates to articulate their personal journey, aspirations, and dedication to the craft on the application. Your statement is a crucial element in our selection process, allowing us to better understand your commitment and readiness for this enriching experience. Applicants will be notified if accepted into the program.
In five months, students will build the following seven (7) stringed instruments:
- Martin Style Parlor
- Flat-Top Electric – Five template choice
- Martin Style Orchestral Model (OM/OOO)
- Carved Top Electric – Les Paul
- Tenor Ukulele
- Custom Electric
- Custom Acoustic designed by student (Capstone Final Project)
- See Guitar Specs for more details about each build
Room and board is available for all students at an additional cost. See FAQs for more info on Room and Board. Financial Aid (FAFSA) is not available at this time. Payment for the program can be made by credit card, personal check or a personal educational loan like ELM Select.
Click here to view the FAQs
Click here to view view the Guitar Build Specs
Not sure if you want to become a Luthier? Try building a guitar during our One-Week Intensive Guitar Building Class! Students choose either an OM or 000 Martin Style acoustic guitar. Click here for more information.
Applications for the Fall 2025 semester will open on January 1st, 2025. If you would like to be notified, please email luthier@northampton.edu.
Questions? Call 610.332.8665 or email us
About Martin Guitar
C. F. Martin & Co.® has been Inspiring Musicians Worldwide® for nearly two centuries with their superior guitar and string products. Martin guitars and strings remain the choice for musicians around the world for their unrivaled quality, craftsmanship, and tone. Throughout the company's long history, Martin products can be seen and heard across all genres of music and in all segments of pop culture, from concert and theater stages to television and movies. With an unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible manufacturing practices, Martin continually drives the acoustic guitar market forward, introducing innovative features that have become standards across the industry. These groundbreaking innovations include the introduction of X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar, and the "Dreadnought" size guitar.
