The Whetstone School of Lutherie offers professional instruction in the construction and repair of stringed musical instruments. We are located in Brattleboro, Vermont which is centrally situated between the metropolitan areas of New York, Boston, and Montreal. Brattleboro is a fun place to visit with a vibrant arts community and a wide variety of dining, lodging, and recreational opportunities for students and family members alike.
The school is a state-of-the-art teaching facility that features a well equipped machine room and a spacious classroom with plentiful bench space, a complete selection of hand tools, and a wide assortment of contemporary building fixtures. We keep our classes small to promote a relaxed teaching environment and enhance the learning experience for everyone.
Our intention is to start slowly and allow the school to grow organically over time. The curriculum presently includes core courses on how to build acoustic guitars and banjos – and it will expand over the next year or so to include ukuleles and mandolin family instruments. Our plan is to supplement these courses with a diversified offering of workshops in various realms of guitar repair, instrument design, inlay work, and other specialties.
Craftsmanship is an elusive goal, and the practice of lutherie is one of those pursuits in which you never really stop learning. Our goal is to add to your knowledge base in a way that empowers you to keep growing long after you leave us. Whether you already have some instrument making experience, or you are just a beginner – we are certain your time here will be a fun and exciting experience that you will value for a lifetime.
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