Build Your Own Guitar

Welcome to BuildGuitar, a division of Loucin Guitar Co. located in Oakville, Ontario just 30 kilometres west of Toronto. We offer an intensive course of instruction in acoustic guitar making. Students will be instructed one-on-one by Garren Dakessian and will learn every aspect of the process from start to finish, resulting in their very own hand-crafted acoustic guitar. We provide everything needed including a full workshop, materials, tools, forms, molds and jigs. View the gallery of amazing guitars built by former students. Many have returned to build a second and third guitar. 

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The Course

  • Guitar design and bracing patterns based on playing preferences and acoustic principles
  • Use of all power and hand tools
  • Making all internal and external parts from rough stock
  • Joining, planing and bracing the sound board and back 
  • Bending the sides 
  • Inserting or inlaying purfling and sound hole rosettes
  • Cutting and fitting the neck-to-body joint
  • Building, shaping and carving the neck & volute
  • Making and slotting the fretboard 
  • Custom inlay work
  • Installing and dressing frets
  • Finishing techniques; wet-sanding, buffing and polishing
  • Final assembly and set-up for superior playability

Pricing

  • The course cost of $4,999.00 CAD (+ applicable taxes) includes all materials needed to create an LD, ZD, AD or a 1939 acoustic guitar. These are all full bodied guitars without a cut-away and finished in satin nitrocellulose lacquer. Upon course completion, you take your guitar home in a hard shell case.
  • A $500.00 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your space. Balance of the payment is due on the first day of the course. 
  • Now available upon request – custom payment plan
  • Students must be minimum 19 years of age and have basic woodworking skills. Waiver to be signed.

Course Schedule

Courses can be tailored to accommodate your schedule. We recommend 1 day or night per week. An average student requires 4-8 months to complete their acoustic guitar. Courses run all year, excluding July and August.

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