The first student to build his guitar with me this year has left the shop and is taking a concert quality OM steel string acoustic guitar home with him. Congratulations to Fred from Seattle, Washington. 
 
Upcoming Virtual classes: I offer two virtual classes a year: French polish and Voicing. These classes are interactive and allow students to see what I am doing at my bench as I work. All you need is a computer with a camera and mic to participate. In the voicing class students will learn how to select soundboard material, then thickness, brace and voice the soundboard. This can then be used on a guitar or saved as a reference when making future soundboards in your shop. This year's class dates are March 5, 12 and 19 at 8:00AM MT. Each class session is approximately two hours and there will be homework assignments to be completed before the next class. .
In the Virtual French polish class students learn my modern approach to French polishing that allows one to finish a guitar in as little as a day or two. I also demonstrate several products and methods for pore filling during the surface prep stage. This year's class dates are April 16, 23 and 30 at 8:00AM MT.  Each class session is approximately two hours and there will be homework assignments to be completed before the next class. .
Visit the Lutherie Academy teaching page to learn more about these once a year Virtual Class opportunities. Classes fill quickly. Contact me to add your name to the list of participants. Also see the comments below from those that have taken a Virtual Class with me.    
 
 

VIRTUAL VOICING CLASS - Thanks for putting on the class.  I have really enjoyed it and it has clarified for me that there isn't a magic formula and it's all about manipulating the variables to get to the right balance of stiffness and looseness.  It's taken a lot of the voodoo out of the process.  I have been watching your courses and videos a ton over the last 5 years and it's fun to finally get to meet you "in person". Brian

VIRTUAL VOICING CLASS - I'm really enjoying the Voicing class. I know that the class is more aimed at intermediate and advanced builders but as a novice I've learnt a huge amount and probably shaved years off the process of developing that sensitivity to the properties of the materials we use. - Nick

VIRTUAL FRENCH POLISH CLASS - Last week's session was great - really informative and enjoyable too. You made the process very easy to understand and implied that it was much more straightforward than the rather problematic and mysterious reputation it's acquired. I've spent all week putting it into practice and frankly I've been amazed at the results I've achieved - especially as a complete beginner and without one to one tuition. I've made some pieces of wood very shiny! I've no doubt that finishing an instrument will be a bit more challenging than small flat sample boards but even at this stage I feel confident enough to have a go at it. You've done such a good job with the classes and videos. Nick in the UK

VIRTUAL FRENCH POLISH CLASS -   Thanks again for the French polish instruction. It's going to make a world of difference for me. - Jared

VIRTUAL FRENCH POLISH CLASS - The class was very useful and worth the money. I’m happy with what I got out of it and the ability to log in for refresher is a great facility. Thanks again for the class and the feedback, I appreciated them both. - Foster