Dear visitors,
due to the current situation (COVID-19), all seminars have been postponed until further notice.
Stay safe, stay home if you can, and keep the hope: Spring is here, and it will probably make things uncomfortable for this stupid bug.
For any inquiries, drop me a line! info@lospennato.com
(Infinite thanks from the bottom of my heart to all doctors, nurses, and other health-care personnel, for protecting us even if that means putting themselves in harm’s way.)
|
Phase 1 – DESIGN
Then, with my help, you will refine your concept: You will develop an electric guitar (or bass) working on the shape, the ergonomics, the materials, the aesthetics, the style, and the playability. This usually takes 5 or 6 remote, one-on-one, 45-minutes sessions, which we will held via Skype, so it doesn’t matter where you live (we will speak in English, Spanish, or Italian). You will base your design in a standard template, and put your creativity at play in order to come up with a beatiful design. This process results in the complete blueprint and specifications of your own electric guitar. We will define each detail, even your logo! |
Phase 2: CONSTRUCTION
The Eleventh Workshop on Guitar Design and Making will take place during the week from May 20th to May 24th – 2019. We will only have five days to complete the instrument, so we will work with focus and resolve, following this timeline:
Type of guitar: Due to the time constrain, we need to avoid certain techniques take many hours (and even days) to be completed. This means: no binding, no tremolos, no carved tops (ergonomic bevels are okay), no unusual scales, no crazy electronics (unless you are already trained in guitar wiring). We will build a beautiful, but straightforward, solid-body electric guitar; it’s value will rest on the personality of your design, not in adornments or unnecessary complications. Finishing: The finishing process is not included in this workshop. For that, you have two options. 1) To send the guitar to a professional finishing service (not included in the cost). I can recommend some for you, which charge fair prices (I am not commercially associeted to them, nor I receive any financial compensation from my recommendation). 2) To finish the guitar yourself back at home, using either Tru-Oil, or sprayed lacquer, following the instruction in my books. I can give you some tips regarding products and procedures, if needed. |
Requirements
However, there is one crucial requirement: that you strictly follow my indications in regard to safety. The process has been designed to be safe (we will use mostly hand tools, no chemicals, etc.) but nonetheless you will be required to sign a contract with a waving clause. We want you to travel back home with a beautiful guitar and all your fingers and eyes attached to where they belong, okay?
|
The workshop:The construction sessions will take place in an authentic lutherie workshop (see pictures below). You don’t have to worry about tools, machines, or anything else. Everything is there, ready for work. The workshop is located in Berlin, in the traditional neighborhood of Spandau, close to the famous Citadel (a fortress built in the 1500’s, and one of the best conserved in the world). Reaching the venue is easy from almost any part of the city, either by train or subway. The workshop is located at a 10-15 minutes walk from the Spandau station, an ideal opportunity to breath in the fresh air before the work starts. You are going to need it!
This is how an afternoon at the workshop looks like :)
|
Hours:We will work on the week of the seminar from Monday to Friday— each day from 1pm to 7pm. This leaves you the mornings free, so you can have a relaxed breakfast and visit the city attractions (museums, historical places, etc.). After a full afternoon working on your guitar, you are ready for a shower, dinner, and the night-life of the city (although you will have to organize that part by yourself). However, on Sunday evening before the seminar starts, you are invited to a homemade pizza night at my home, complemented with my wife’s world famous Tiramisu dessert :) We will meet and greet, talk gutiars, show you a few of my instruments, and share a beer (or three). |
Cost:The cost of the course is EUR 2,350.- (plus additional VAT charges that apply to EU residents. Participants from non-EU countries are exempt of this tax). The fee includes:
Not included in the cost: The pickups. Since this is a very personal choice that regards the sound and character of your instrument, you will buy (at your cost) and bring the pickups yourself. You will receive my guidance on this too, of course. |
Payment:The payment is done in two parts. You pay 50% before the design phase, and 50% before the construction phase. Important – By paying the fee, you abide by these conditions:
Payment methods: Bank transfer or PayPal. (Please note that I do not accept cash, money transfers, checks, or credit cards—except via PayPal). |
What do you get from this course?You go back home with all of this:
… All at the price of a good quality —but still conventional— guitar (i.e. your typical Fender or Gibson), bought over-the-counter at some music shop (yawn!). (This is an example of a guitar designed and built by one of my students).
|
Things you must organize yourself:
|
The next steps:1) Contact me at info@lospennato.com, and let me know that you are interested in participating (no obligations at this point). You are automatically put on a waiting list until the first payment is made; only then you are confirmed as a participant. Please remember that I can only accommodate a limited number of participants, in order to closely follow everyone’s work. 2) We will plan a weekly design session via Skype. Usually 5 or 6 are enough, but we can meet as many times as necessary for you to complete your design (this is a key part of being able to build a guitar in one week). 3) Make the necessary reservations to come to Berlin. I suggest using AirBnb.com or Booking.com, where you can reserve many hotels and apartments using a free-cancellation policy. (Tip: Take into account how easy would be to get from your hotel or apartment to S+U Rathaus Spandau station.) Again, I wait for your message, questions, etc. at info@lospennato.com. See you soon in Berlin! |