Advanced guitar repair II is recommended for individuals who have either completed Basic Guitar Repair I or who have a background doing beginning lutherie work and a desire to take their skills to the next level. This will be a busy week! Topics include: full refret including planing fingerboard, acoustic bridge removal/replacement, making new ebony or rosewood acoustic bridge from scratch, re-routing saddle slot, acoustic neck reset, crack repair and reinforcement (sides, top, headstock), discussion of various adhesives, tool sharpening, french polish, and buffing to a high luster. In-depth discussion on guitar/mandolin construction throughout history, tonewood, finer points on professional setup work, bracing patterns, design flaws on iconic models, and generally what to expect as a full-time luthier. There will also be an opportunity to examine some high-end instruments and discuss the finer points of their construction. The goal of this course is to demystify some of the more complicated repairs, and thereby gain confidence to become a professional luthier. The above repairs will all be demonstrated by the instructor during the morning session, providing the student a unique experience to ask questions and engage in the process. During the afternoon, students will be encouraged to tackle their own challenging projects under the tutelage of an established professional.
Materials and tools: One or two acoustic guitars, archtops or electrics are also acceptable. Ideal projects include: guitars needing a refret, loose/cracked bridge, poor neck angle, cracks of various types. While many tools will be on hand for these repairs, the student is encouraged to contact the instructor for further guidance based on the specific repair they wish to tackle. Preparation is key to getting the most out of this particular workshop.
A basic tool list for specific operations will also be available at https://training.unh.edu/tools-and-materials-violin-craftsmanship-institute under "Basic Guitar Repair." Please contact the instructor directly at sanzoneguitars@gmail.com to discuss specific tools for the Advanced course.
Classes meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with open workshop hours from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
After earning a philosophy degree from Boston College back in 1995, Chuck packed his car and headed out to the Roberto-Venn school of lutherie in an attempt to find a worthwhile career path. Building and repairing musical instruments just seemed like an idyllic life for a creative soul who lived for music. 24 years later he’s still at it, building 4 pieces of functional art each year in a historic one-room schoolhouse nestled in the Green Mountains of Vermont - most notably for legendary Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. This long and rewarding career has included a restoration apprenticeship at the Music Emporium, many years at Tippin Guitars (building and restoration), rising to become rental workshop manager at Johnson String Instrument, training luthiers in China on 5 occasions in both guitar and violin repair as well as design & product development, studying with maestro Hans Nebel of the Wurlitzer workshop, and currently as the master luthier for Juzek Stringed Instruments/Metropolitan Music in Stowe, Vermont. The challenge of repair and restoration work has always been a motivating force, and he especially enjoys restoring family treasures.
