October 10-16, 2026 (7 day)

Making a Cutaway Guitar

with John Ressler

$1,470

$710 material fee payable to John

Part of the MASW Higher Education Program

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Workshop Description

Take your guitar building to the next level by adding custom details to your project. This is an advanced guitar building class in which you will learn to build a Venetian (bent) cutaway guitar, using walnut or sapele back and sides with spruce tops. You will be bending your own sides in class and fitting them to the form, as well as carving your own neck. The challenges in binding the cutaway area, as well as fitting the neck, will be covered in detail. All materials to complete the guitar will be provided. This class will expand your thinking of traditional guitar designs and methods and will jump-start you to creating your own unique guitar design. Some guitar building experience, or a high level of woodworking skill would allow you to get the most out of this class.

Key Points

  • Selection of instrument-grade woods and their effect on tone
  • Making the cutaway bending form
  • Side bending, including bending a cutaway side
  • Binding a cutaway side
  • Fitting a neck to a cutaway guitar
  • Accurately cutting the neck mortise in the guitar body
  • Neck carving

Meet the Craftsperson

John Ressler

Visit the Full Week Programs page for complete details on our weeklong workshops!

$1,470.00

Making a Cutaway Guitar with John Ressler October 10-16, 2026 (7 day)

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