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Home School of LutherieMaster ProgramTerm 3 Galloup School of Lutherie Practical training in a professional shop 
Master Program, Term 3: Building an Archtop, Shop Layout, and Business Planning
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 CLASS: BUSINESS 1 The Business Plan |
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Time for us to sit down and take a look at how you want to proceed as a luthier after completing the Master Program. There are many things to consider, whether you’re starting your own business or seeking employment. We’ll help you lay out a sound business plan for setting up a shop or finding a position in lutherie. CLASS: BUSINESS 2 Shop Layout The Galloup Guitars school and shop are among the best planned, best equipped shops in the country. This attention to shop layout makes it easier to learn and helps you get your work done on schedule. After you graduate and move to your own shop, what you learn in this Shop Layout segment of the program will keep you working efficiently. We discuss how to set up a shop for your current work as well as a shop design that will accommodate your projected businesses growth. CLASS: ARCHTOP 1 Body Your guitarmaking skills aren’t complete until you’ve mastered the techniques of building an archtop guitar — one of the most desirable and collectible instruments, and also among the most difficult and fun to build. By the time you have completed this final segment of the Master Program you will have experienced every aspect of guitar building and repair and will have the knowledge necessary to progress as a well-rounded Luthier. Topics covered:  Guitar layout and designSelecting woodMatching top setsMatching back and sideJoining tops and backsTop carvingBracing topCarving F holesTuning the topBending the sidesFitting he sides to moldGluing the head and end blocksFitting the kerfingShaping the side bracesScalloping top bracingAssembling the bodyBinding and purflingCutting the dovetailCLASS: ARCHTOP 2 Necks The archtop neck design includes the handsome details that are traditional on jazz-style guitars: wooden stringers running the length of the neck, and a carved volute on the back of the peghead. You'll build a neck using these classic design elements and learn how they affect tone and strength. Advanced binding work is included too: a bound peghead, bound fretboard, and peghead inlays. Topics covered: Scale lengthMaking the fretboardFretboard bindingsFretboard inlaysTruss rod installationCutting the dovetailPeghead designsPeghead overlaysTuner layout and fittingGluing fretboardsLeveling fretboards using the neck jigFrettingShaping necks and heelsNeck-setsFretboard markersSide markersPeghead pearl inlayHeel capCLASS: ARCHTOP 3 Bridge, Pickguard, Tailpiece and Trus Rod Cover Like the most impressive archtops, yours will have a hand-carved wooden tailpiece and bridge, and a pickguard and truss rod cover made of wood. You’ll choose wood that matches your fretboard and peghead overlays, and ties together the overall look of your instrument. Topics covered: TailpieceTailpiece mounting bracketTruss rod coverPickguardPickguard mounting bracketsCLASS: ARCHTOP 4 Electronics Your archtop is a true acoustic instrument, but most archtop players prefer the versatility of a pickup. You’ll mount a free-floating pickup that secures to the pickguard, learning how to mount electronics to the instrument unobtrusively. Topics covered are Pickup selectionPickup placementAltering the pickguard to accept the pickupMounting controls to the pickguardOutput jack placementCLASS: ARCHTOP 5 Finishing In finishing, you’ll learn how to deal with flame maple back and sides, with the added challenge of an arched top and back. At this point, you’ll be impressed by how far you’ve progressed as a finisher! Topics covered: Scraping bindingFinish sandingUsing spray gunsAdvanced masking techniquesWash coatsSpraying a three tone sunburstClear coatsWet sandingBuffingCLASS: ARCHTOP 6 Setup and Assembly Setting up an archtop is significantly different from the other instruments we’ve covered. You’ll now be dealing with a much steeper neck pitch and adjustable archtop style bridge. Topics covered: Final neck-setsBridge layoutsMaking bridgeMaking tail piece-Installing tunersFitting tail pieceDressing fretsMaking nutsFinal set-upFinal buff and polishGraduation When you finish your archtop, you’ll have completed the Galloup Master Program. It’s time for congratulations — you’ve accomplished a lot of work, and gained a world of experience!   
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