I recently learned how to build a Martin 1936 Dreadnought at the Colorado School of Lutherie. The sound of this guitar is AMAZING. I have 2 Martin guitars, an OM and a D45. This guitar has a full sound that competes with both of them. In my research I learned there are 1 week and 2 week courses. The 2 week course at the Colorado School of Lutherie was more comprehensive in that we also built the neck from scratch and we put a finish on the guitar.I previously took a 1 week course to build an OM Martin style guitar which also turned out great. Due to the nature of the time restraint we used some pre-made parts and no time for a finish on the guitar.I highly recommend the 2 week course to get a full breadth of knowledge youll need to build guitars. Now I have all the knowledge I need to make all my future guitars. I would like to thank Tom, Heath and Edward for all their efforts in make sure we had a successful build.

During the past two years, Ive taken two classes with the Colorado School of Lutherie and will be signing up for a third. If I had my druthers, I’d sign up for an Apprenticeship.I initially took the beginners class after reading about Edward Dick in the Denver Post. As a lifelong musician, I was interested in exploring the mechanics of instruments themselves. Edward’s classes touch upon a range of subjects, including biology, physics, math, engineering, acoustics, design, and art. There is no right- or left-brained dominance here. You’re challenged in both.At this point, I feel confident in my ability to craft a high-end instrument on my own (Ive made both a 6-string and twelve-string guitar). However, I really appreciate the atmosphere that Edward and Tom Hunter-Crump create in their studio. The class is a welcome respite from the motion of every day life. Both men are exceptionally patient and encouraging (I hadnt done any real woodworking since shop class in middle school, circa 1979). The classes are comprised of musicians, wood workers, mechanics, chefs – you name it. However, the students all share a love of learning and risk-taking. Every measurement, cut, and chisel must be thoughtfully considered. I guarantee you’ll be out of your comfort zone in the best possible way. You’ll be nervous. Mistakes will be made. And you’ll be forced to consider what you’ll do differently the next time. Not unlike life itself. As Edward advises, “Shoot for perfection and live with what you get.” Fortunately, Edward and Tom – without doing it for you - will guide you very close to the perfection you seek.In a world of constant distractions, there is something wonderfully monastic about standing in front of a bench upon which rests a piece of wood. In sixteen weeks, that wood is painstakingly transformed into a guitar that rivals a high-end Martin or Gibson. You’ll find yourself more distracted by your own hand-built guitar than your Twitter feed.