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 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.  Please note:  Students planning to build an arched top instrument should plan on a minimum of two months course time.  An additional $1000.00 in materials will be assessed to tuition rates, unless student's choose to provide all their own materials (thus waiving the additional material cost). 

Please Note: "Student grade" wood is included with tuition costs. Better quality woods are available at an additional cost. Students provide all guitar hardware, including tuners, pickups, cases, etc., allowing for greater design flexibility.

Shop hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with an hour lunch break between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m.

The number of guitars built will depend upon the course undertaken by the student, and their personal skills and abilities.  Mountain View Luthier School LLC cannot guarantee the maximum or the minimum number of instruments undertaken by students, as individual skill sets may be more or less depending on experience, motivation, and/or effective use and management of time within course time frame constraints.  Students who progress faster may begin another instrument with the instructor's permission. However, the student will be responsible for purchasing his or her materials for any extra instrument or project.

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. Click here for additional registration information. 

Tuition:  Please click here for information on tuition and enrollment discounts.