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Home School of LutherieJourneyman Program Galloup School of Lutherie Practical training in a professional shop 
Journeyman Program
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The Journeyman Program begins with guitar repair classes. As most new luthiers will tell you, repairs are the backbone of their business. To ensure your success and your cash flow, you have to know how to tackle the most requested repairs. With our twenty-plus years of experience doing business with music stores, players and collectors, we’ll teach you how to serve these customers. CLASS: REPAIRS 1 Fretting and Fret Dressing First we’ll focus on fretting techniques. You’ll be introduced to the fret jig, which simulates string tension on an unstrung guitar to allow for faster, more accurate fretwork. Topics covered:  Truss rod designsFlattening fretboardsRe-fretting bound fretboardsCompression frettingHammer-in frettingGluing in fretsRouting fret slotsDressing fretsAdjusting truss rodsRepairing loose fretsSelecting fret wireCLASS: REPAIRS 2 Finishing Techniques In repair work, it’s important to be able to refinish both electrics and acoustics. You’ll learn the finishing techniques used by the manufacturers, plus the necessary woodworking skills to restore damaged guitars. Topics covered: Stripping finishesRepairing dentsFinish sandingApplying wood fillersSpraying custom colorsSpraying a sunburstSpraying metalflake finishesWet sandingBuffing finishesCLASS: REPAIRS 3 Acoustic Repairs Many repair people today acquired their skills on electrics, but unfortunately have neglected the acoustic market because acoustic repairs are usually more advanced. Here we will focus in-depth on acoustic guitars and their unique problems. Topics covered: Neck resetsBridge re-gluesRepairing cracksHumidity problemsRe-gluing loose bracesRepairing bridge platesCLASS: REPAIRS 4 Guitar Setup and Maintenance One of the most useful and challenging subjects of the program. Every repair job requires some amount of setup to enhance or maintain top performance. Topics covered: ElectricsTroubleshooting before setupNeck evaluationTruss rod designsMaking bone nutsBack-filing nuts and bridgesFitting and replacing intonation saddlesIdentifying fretboard radiusSetting up tremolos and locking nutsChoosing proper string gaugeAcousticsTroubleshooting before setupFitting bridge pinsReplacing and refitting bridge saddlesMaking compensated saddlesMaking bone nutsIdentifying fretboard radiusChoosing proper string gaugeCLASS: REPAIRS 5 Guitar Electronics A basic knowledge of guitar electronics is essential. You’ll learn how to rewire, repair and modify the most popular guitars. Topics covered: TroubleshootingSoldering techniquesReplacement pickupsWiring out of phaseTapping pickupsSplitting coilsEliminating humming problemsInstalling acoustics Piezo traducers style pickupsGuitar Construction: Building an Acoustic Steel String Whether you want to build or repair guitars, it’s important that you know how they’re assembled. This part of the program takes you step-by-step through the building process and gives you a real understanding of acoustic and electric guitar construction. We’ll cover only the most beneficial information and repeat as few procedures as possible. Upon completion, you’ll have hand-built a flattop acoustic guitar and a bolt-on-neck style electric as examples of your work. These finished instruments are an excellent way to introduce yourself to potential employers and customers. Because of Bryan Galloup's extensive repair and restoration history, he’s had the opportunity to document every detail of exceptional acoustic instruments. By understanding and combining these construction principles, he’s able to design great sounding, great playing, and reliable guitars. The guitar you build in this part of the program is designed by Bryan to introduce you to both traditional and innovative construction details. CLASS: ACOUSTIC 1 Body The heart of the acoustic guitar is the body. The tonal quality of the finished instrument reflects wood choices, bracing patterns and body styles. All of these elements will affect clarity, balance, projection, warmth and overall tonal character. Topics covered: Guitar layout and designSelecting woodMatching top setsMatching back and sideJoining tops and backsThickness sandingBending sidesCutting rosettes and soundholeFitting sides to moldParabolic sandingGluing in head and end blocksFitting kerfingShaping side bracesScalloping back bracesScalloping top bracingAssembling bodyBinding and perflingCLASS: ACOUSTIC 2 Neck The neck is what the player eventually identifies with more than anything else. We’ll look at how the neck affects the tone, feel, and playability of the guitar. Topics covered: Scale lengthMaking the fretboardBinding fretboardsPeghead designsPeghead overlaysTuner layout and fittingTruss rod installationGluing fretboardsShaping necks and heelsNeck setsFretboard markersLeveling fretboardsFrettingSide markersPeghead pearl inlayHeel capPearl inlayCLASS: ACOUSTIC 3 Finish Work Bryan has spent years perfecting acoustic guitar finishes, and will teach you his methods. You’ll learn how to apply a finish that gives the best tone without sacrificing wood protection. Topics covered: Finish sandingMasking techniquesSpray gun operationsWash coatsFillersClear coatsWet sandingBuffingCLASS: ACOUSTIC 4 Setup and Assembly Final setup and assembly are the means to well-balanced tone and great playability. Most people consider these to be the most challenging aspects of the course. Topics covered: Final neck setsBridge layoutsFinish removalGluing bridgesInstalling tunersFitting bridge pinsLeveling fretboards using neck jigFrettingDressing fretsMaking nutsMaking saddlesFinal setupFinal buff and polishGuitar Construction: Building an Electric In this portion of the building course you’ll focus on the most successful electric guitar of all time: the bolt-on-neck design. In almost any music store, these guitars outnumber others five-to-one. CLASS: ELECTRIC 1 Body Wood choice and body design play a large part in the tone of an electric guitar. Play several solidbody guitars unamplified, and you’ll notice distinct differences between various wood types. A solidbody that sounds good acoustically generally will sound good amplified. We’ll look at the different woods used to make electric guitars, and the effect of different body styles on tone and sustain. Topics covered: Body stylesWood choiceNeck jointsFitting neck to bodyFinish sandingInstalling body hangers for sprayingCLASS: ELECTRIC 2 Neck Just as wood affects the body, when making a neck you have to pay attention to wood choice in order to have a good sounding guitar. You’ll learn what makes a neck sound and play great. Topics covered: Wood choiceScale lengthsFretboard radiusTuner installationTruss rodsFinish sandingInstalling neck hangers for finishingCLASS: ELECTRIC 3 Finishing You’ll finish your electric guitar with the same methods used by guitar companies in the 50’s and 60’s — techniques that have stood the test of time. See how to get a two-tone color high gloss nitrocellulose finish that has a vintage look. Topics covered: Body wood stainsSpraying techniquesCustom colorsSunburstMetalflakeClear coatsWet sandingBuffingCLASS: ELECTRIC 4 Electronics Now that you’ve assembled a great guitar you have to choose the best pickups and wiring harness. For our student electrics we use Lindy Fralin pickups: very high quality hand-wound pickups designed to our specifications of wood choice and body style. Topics covered: Pick guardsGrounding platesPickup installationWiring volume potsWiring tone potsWiring switchesWiring output jackBridge and string groundingCLASS: ELECTRIC 5 Final Assembly Learn how to assemble and set up an electric guitar to factory specs. Our methods make the job much easier, and cut your set-up time in half — skills you’ll use every day. Topics covered: Pickguard placementBridge placementSetting neckTuner installationInstalling strap bottomsFret dressNutBridge set upActionString tree placementPick up heightIntonationFinal buff and polish
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