Hands-On Guitar Building School

Acoustic Guitar Workshop

This is an 8 day course where you will build your very own flattop, acoustic guitar out of AAA graded tonewoods!

The course is taught with just 2 students under the direct supervision of Luthier Eric Schaefer, so you can expect individualized attention on your guitar.

All parts and materials are provided. No experience necessary.

There are 4 Build Model Options (Orchestra Model, 000, Parlor, and Dreadnought) and several tonewood choices to choose from.

At the end of the week you will have your own handcrafted guitar, the skills to build more guitars, and a deep sense of pride in your work.

Special Note: To promote a continuing education in Lutherie, the online courses “Building an OM Acoustic” and “Tru-Oil Finishing: A Method for Acoustic Guitar” are given free to each student upon completion of the Acoustic Guitar Workshop. These courses include:

  • more than 60 detailed instructional videos to assist students in continuing to build at home
  • a year of discounts to Stewart Macdonald, Luthier’s Mercantile International, and Eric Schaefer Guitars to help students tool up after the workshop
  • access to a private member’s forum so students can get their questions answered and build community with amateur and professional builders alike.

Acoustic Guitar Workshop Cost

Workshop Tuition: $3,950 – $4,500 (depends on choice of Model)

Materials: $980 – $1,450 (depends on wood choices)

See Models and Wood Choices

Course Dates

 

2024

SUMMER

– FLORENTINE CUTAWAY & ADVANCED BINDING/PURFLING METHODS: August 1 – 4 (1 spot left)

– FLORENTINE CUTAWAY & ADVANCED BINDING/PURFLING METHODS: August 8 – 11 (FULL)

– FLORENTINE CUTAWAY & ADVANCED BINDING/PURFLING METHODS: August 22 – 25 (FULL)

– FLORENTINE CUTAWAY & ADVANCED BINDING/PURFLING METHODS: August 29 – Sept. 1 (2 spots left)

FALL

– October 5 – October 12 (FULL).

– October 19 – October 26 (2 spots left)

– November 2 – 9 (2 spots left)

– November 16 – 23 (2 spots left)

2025

SPRING

– FLORENTINE CUTAWAY & ADVANCED BINDING/PURFLING METHODS: March 13 – 16 (2 spots left)

– FLORENTINE CUTAWAY & ADVANCED BINDING/PURFLING METHODS: March 20 – 23 (1 spot left)

– March 29 – April 5 (FULL)

– April 12 – 19 (2 spots left)

– April 26 – May 3 (2 spots left)

SIGNING UP

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

1. To schedule the week for your class, please call 610-639-2777 or email eric@ericschaeferguitars.com with your preferred dates.

2. Send a deposit check for $1,150. The remaining amount is due at the start of the class.*

3. All payments should be by Check or Money Order in U.S. funds payable to: Eric Schaefer. Registration confirmation/receipt and further information will be provided to each student by email.

4. Please mail deposit payment to: Eric Schaefer 166 Tulpehocken Street Bernville, PA 19506

OR

PAY DEPOSIT WITH PAYPAL

Acoustic Guitar Workshop
Your Email Address:

*Note: Deposits are non-refundable and will be forfeit if the student cancels or does not attend workshop.

610-639-2777

eric@ericschaeferguitars.com

MORE INFO

Classes are held at Eric Schaefer’s Guitar Building School in Bernville, PA (just outside of Reading)

The address is 166 Tulpehocken St., Bernville PA 19506

Coming from out of town? On-site studio lodging is offered at $1,100 for the 8 days. The lodging is reserved for just one student. So book it early if you wish to lodge on-site. Otherwise, there are several hotels in the area.

Reviews:

“Great class. Eric offered a practical, hands on opportunities to acoustic guitar building and brought his own, significant depth of knowledge of the subject to the workbench. Having built electric guitars prior to participating in his class, I had a solid understanding of what building an acoustic instrument would require. Eric helped customize my building experience and provided excellent insight into the nuance of crafting an acoustic guitar. He clearly knows his way around a build and has a lot to offer his students. Highly Recommended!!”

– Matt Hurley

” I would highly recommend taking a class with Eric to anyone who has ever considered building a guitar for themselves. I took the class along with my father in early 2014. I had previously built a classical guitar in my garage, using books and online videos as a resource. My father had no prior experience. We both achieved very good results.

The environment is comfortable and spacious. Eric is attentive and involved in every step, taking the time to explain things carefully so that you have confidence in yourself. I learned a great deal during our class. It was a very nice experience and I would encourage anyone to try it for themselves.”
– Robert McSulla

“Great workshop! The guitar I built is phenomenal! Eric is very knowledgeable and a great guy! I would definitely recommend attending one of his workshops to anyone interested. I may even do another one.”

– Chris Pulli

“Eric is an artist, a luthier, and a great teacher. He is very knowledgeable, and can explain what he is doing in terms that are easy to follow and understand. He builds beautiful guitars, and his class will help you to build one, too! Highly recommended!”

– Jim Boettger

“Most guitar building courses are two weeks or longer. After 8 days in Eric’s shop, I had a guitar that looked and sounded great.”

– Jeff Bartholomew