Man 1: This is a workbook for the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery, along with classroom

lectures, demonstrations, and actual building of guitars by the students. It provides step-by-step
instructions and the construction techniques and basic Luthiery skills taught in school. The
course is intended for the novice or first time instrument builders. The course incorporates the
construction techniques and building experience of the school's founders, John H. Roberts and
Robert L. Venn. John and Bob provide much of the classroom instruction, with recently
graduated assistant instructors helping with various phases of construction and the proper use
of tools. This workbook will be used as a guideline and for future reference after the student
graduates. It contains a descriptive narration of each phase of construction in order of the
building sequence used at the school. Many illustrations are provided as well, showing
important measurements, instrument patterns, etcetera. The main emphasis is on learning by
doing with a student encouraged to do as much as the actual construction as possible. At least
one electric and one acoustic instrument must be completed in the term. After a several days of
shop orientation, including the instruction and safe tool use, maintenance procedures, mold
design, and construction, the student begins instrument construction. While most students
choose to build acoustic or electric steel string guitars other instrument choices include the
electric base, classical guitar, resonator guitar, dulcimer, and mandolin. At the end of the six-
month terms, students will have one electric and one acoustic instrument, theirs to do it as they
please. Keep sell or trade in to the school for more instrument building supplies. If you choose
to keep your instruments, you may find them to be useful in securing employment in the string
instrument construction, in repair fields or even in the custom wood working industry. We look
forward to teaching and working alongside you for the next six months and especially seeing the
smile on your faces as you display your completed instruments.