We have diligently tried to create a program that encompasses many different processes within a growing skill set. The school centers around the guitar because it is the basis of many stringed instruments, and its building principals may be applied universally to many types of instruments, from the simple to the complex.

Within the Mountain View approach to learning is the belief that a solid construction background is required to be the most effective repair technician. Along the path of construction there will be some destruction. We hold firm the belief that there are no mistakes, only repairs. Along this line, there will be lectures and demonstrations on many common and not so common repairs. Armed with problem solving techniques, students learn essential business skills, including a repair-person's responsibility to their customer, the instrument, and to themselves. Their skill in assessing repairs aids in their measurement of their personal abilities and confidence in completing professional quality work.

Customize your Program
Mountain View Luthier School now offers students the freedom to customize their curriculum, choosing a program that best fits their needs. Private Instruction is also available on a daily basis. Please contact us for additional details.

Examples of Courses Offered:

Electric Guitar or Bass with a bolt on neck. This course is the foundation for basic woodworking and lutherie. An example of subjects covered include basic design and drafting, power tool safety, wood types and selection, jig/template construction, neck carving techniques, basic wiring, fretting, fret dressing, set-up, intonation and oil varnish polyurethane gel finishing.

Steel-string Acoustic Guitar. Choose from Dreadnought, OM or Parlor sized instruments. In this course, we cover all of the aforementioned subjects within the platform of the acoustic guitar. New territories covered are side bending/rim assembly, top/back lamination and bracing, neck lamination, setting neck angle, fitting a dovetail/setting a neck, inlaying a rosette, basic tap tuning, spray lacquer basics or beginning French polishing (as time permits).

Archtop Guitar. All of your skills will come together in this course, and will be further extended with cutaway side bending, making/fitting a fingerboard extension for an arched plate, the effect of neck angle on a moveable bridge and tone, and methods behind Sunburst finishing.

Shop hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Private Instruction Rates
• One Hour: $75.00
• Four Hours (One Half Day: $300.00
• Eight Hours (One Day): $500.00
• Custom Courses of less than one week must be scheduled at the Private Instruction rate of $500.00 per day.

Custom Course Rates
• One Week (40 hours): $1250.00
• Two Weeks (80 hours): $2000.00
• One Month (160 hours): $3500.00
• Two Months (320 hours): $6000.00
• Custom Courses of less than six months are priced at $3000.00 per month.


• Six Months (960 hours): $16,500.00. Custom Course of more than six months and less than one year are priced at $2750.00 per month.


• One Year (1920 hours): $30,000.00 or $2500.00 per month

There is a $500.00 non-refundable reservation deposit. This will be deducted from the first month's tuition. Upon your arrival, we require a 25% deposit of your total tuition. This deposit will be deducted equally from your monthly tuition costs.

Please Note:  Tuition includes "student grade" wood.  Better quality woods are available for an additional cost.  Students provide all guitar hardware, including tuners, pickups, cases, etc., allowing for greater design flexibility. 

Registration: Program dates depend on student demands, and registration deadlines will be determined accordingly. We will try to accommodate special requests or needs within reason to meet student needs or time constraints. Please contact us for upcoming course schedules.