Acoustic Guitar Building Workshops
* Update: Sorry guys and gals – Jay no longer teaches the small group workshops but is booking one-on-one workshops for 2017-2018. Complete the workshop forms to let Jay know you would like to get on the list. You can find them (and all the details) at:
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It’s surprising how many inquiries we receive about acoustic guitar building workshops. Some people just want the one-time experience and satisfaction of building their own guitar while others are looking for a good place to start with their eyes set on becoming a luthier. Either way, it is Jay’s pleasure to teach skills that he is so passionate about.
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Video of highlights from the August 2014 Small Group Guitar Building Workshop …
Acoustic Guitar Building Workshops – Highlights
August 2014 Workshop highlights
April 2012 Workshop images
Aug 2012 Workshop images
June 2013 Workshop images
Gallery of Workshop Guitars and Ukuleles
Testimonials
This has been one of the best workshops I’ve ever attended. Jay is a master at his craft and so willing to share his knowledge. – Ken Brown, South Carolina
Do you want to buy my Taylor – Ted Pope’s first response after playing his guitar for the first time. Ted is from Georgia
First and foremost, Jay and Corrie are goo people; very hospitable, thoughtful, good-humored and caring. Secondly, Jay is an artist and craftsman. His vision for his interments is extraordinary and he seems to flawlessly execute his vision. Finally, in the workshop, he allowed me to experience this. His instruction and demonstrating are very effective in conveying technique, enabling me to produce a beautiful instrument I will cherish for a lifetime. Steve Collie, North Carolina
I’m on a quest to learn as much as I can about instrument building, from as many masters as I can find willing to teach me. No matter where I’ve been and go, Jay’s teachings stay with me. At his workshop I learned to trust my hands and to collect a sensory library of information. His way of building is so elegant and joyful it’s hard to think of it as work, but it is. Jay’s work ethic is as good as it gets. Thanks to his guidance I am confident I can make my own . I can make them in a way that is safe, doesn’t strain my joints and insn’t limited to the number of specialized tools and jigs I can afford to buy or house. That gift, as those on my same path know or will eventually realize is rare. I’m lucky to has Jay as my first – and now ongoing! teacher. Karina, British Columbia
Building a guitar with Jay Lichty is one of the best gifts I’ve ever given myself, an experience I’ll cherish for life. Those ten days of 10-hour shifts in the workshop at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains are easily among my three favourite vacations ever—I truly loved it more than my visits to Venice or Paris or Rome. The process of turning a pile of lumber into a musical instrument engaged every sense of mine, including my imagination. That my first guitar turned out to be a thing of beauty with a rich sound was no coincidence, but the result of Jay’s expert guidance. Add to that the joy of working side by side with my peers Terry and Dave, and the care and attention Corrie gave us and our work… I couldn’t have been luckier. I am grateful and eager to sign up for seconds and thirds. I know I will and will invariably leave Tryon with a case full of memories and the glow of fireflies. – Karina, British Columbia
This experience was one of the most rewarding I’ve been through. The quality of the entire experience, from the actual building to the interaction with new friends, was beyond my expectations. A bargain at twice the price! – Dave Sprague
If you’ve ever thought of taking this workshop, do it! Jay will make sure you work to your level of experience and you will have an heirloom quality guitar to last a lifetime! – Terry Schager
Hi, Jay – I think you know that Terry loves his guitar and probably even more loved the experience of making it. He is practicing, working with some friends and may have a song or two under his belt soon. I don’t know that there is anything that he would have loved more than your guitar building workshop and the finished product. It made me very happy to give Terry such a perfect gift for our 20th anniversary and his retirement. – Stacey Schager
I highly recommend this workshop. Jay is such a good-natured guy that he makes the workshop very enjoyable. I was amazed with the quality of the guitar we were able to take home. – Ron Robbins, NC
I’ve been dreaming about making my own guitar for 28 years, since I was 14. This week was all I could have wanted after all those years of dreaming. It’s hard to believe we did the work ourselves and the guitars have come out this finished and incredible sounding. – Greg Paravis, NC
Jay makes a fine guitar and a great teacher of his craft. I had previously built 6 guitars on my own and my techniques and knowledge have now been greatly expanded. – Mitch Keown
I learned all of the necessary information on how to build a nice guitar! I gained a lot of confidence in guitar building and learned some great techniques and tricks of the trade. All of the guitars turned out beautifully. Thank you Jay! – Steven Ceola
This was such a rewarding experience. I have never created such a thing of beauty other than my three children. – Stan Harris, small group workshop participant
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This workshop was the best money I’ve spent in a long time. I’ve received tons of knowledge from an experienced lutheir and built a beautiful guitar as a bonus. The class was very relaxed and covered every aspect of acoustic guitar building. I want to thank Jay for his help throughout and fro offering such a worthwhile class. – Tyler Hunter, small group workshop participant
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Fun, Hardwork, Fun! and you take home knowledge and a fine custom guitar. Jay is a patient teacher and very talented. He does not cut any corners. – David Cook, small group workshop participant
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