Elevating the Art of Guitar Repair




Text For Repairs and Setups : ( 519 275 1008 )

Precision work / Fast turn-around / Best price \m/ !


Guitar Repair and Design #guitarrepairschool - the last Four and a half Decades ...


Guitar Repair and Design

Study directly with Michael McConville

on Patreon
The journey continues .... here:

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The guitar family extrapolates in many directions ...

12 string / Arch top / solid body /
fretted and fretless basses / nylon string classicals
Strats / Tele / Les Paul / etc... etc ...

This opportunity, for the students to examine 
and adjust so many different types of guitars, 
and to observe the idiosyncrasies and "rules of physics"
for each member of the guitar family;
this is what makes these Patreon Videos so enduring.


Restoring, repairing, building, teaching and playing guitar
has been my journey, this past 45 years.

Every year we collectively, continue to "raise the bar",
in a constant quest for new and better ways to
 Elevate the the Art of Guitar Repair and Design.


It is my mission to enlighten and inspire
all of those who have taken the time to attend
my courses,
and to those from the Global community
who continue to peruse my musings
observations and instructions
here on the McConville Guitars Blog
and on the StringTech Workstations
YouTube channel.

My heartfelt thanks goes out to all,
 for years of support and encouragement.

Stay tuned, there's lot's more to come !











Dear Michael,
You have been delivering this training through Continuing Education at Conestoga College for over 15 years now.  The quality of your courses and the feedback from your students is nothing but exceptional.  Your passion is contagious.  Your students respect your knowledge and you inspire them to further develop their skills and allow them the opportunity to apply what they have learned.  Conestoga College is proud to have you as a Professor.  You are expert in your field, reliable, punctual and a pleasure to work with!

Sincerely,

Sandra Schelling
Dean, Continuing Education and Corporate Training
Conestoga College
( October 2010 )




Back in the mid 1960's, when I first got into the guitar repair scene, there wasn't much to choose from as far as supplies, information and tools. The only places I could find at that time were Franz Dotzauer in Erlangen West Germany and Bill Lewis Musical in Vancouver ( which was eventually bought out and moved to California and re-named Luthiers Mercantile ). 

When the early Guild of American Luthiers issues came out (1972 ) , things finally started to open up. Now of course, thanks to the internet, there are numerous sources to choose from for tools, wood, bodies, necks, hardware, fret supplies, finishing supplies and instructional videos on various repair and fabrication techniques. Realistically, like any trade or craft, it still takes hands-on experience to develop these skills to a level of excellance.

In the "Guitar Repair and Design Courses" at Conestoga College, we covered practical, safe, efficient techniques; I always taught my students how to develop a logical approach in dealing with all of the various members of the guitar family. In those small classes of 6 / 8 students; we would always cover a wide range of topics and techniques above and beyond the designated curriculum.  The design and fabrication of simple templates, fretting tools and a few other specialized guitar repair tools are covered. I always encouraged the students to "cut to the chase" and "think on their feet", as is so often required, to get the job done. When dealing with the multitude of tasks that one faces every day in this field of work; this approach makes the difference; streamlining the process, keeping yourself and your customers happy!

 The 350 + detailed videos on my Patreon channel 
allow you to attend these classes
 "with a front row seat ". 
When my subscribers ask a question 
ALL of the subscribers benefit !

Like any other trade or craft, 
it is not enough to be good ....
 you need to be good and efficient 
in order to turn over the work 
in a timely fashion.   


 These old shots ( before the advent of digital cameras ) taken at my Brunswick St. shop, will give you all a glimpse into a time ( 24 years ago ) where I had just started to teach my Conestoga College "Guitar Repair and Design" courses and had retro-fitted an old chair-factory into a fully functional Guitar Design / Restoration and Teaching facility .



I am very grateful for this period. 
All of this became possible due to the help, 
faith and encouragement of countless customers,
 students and  friends who shared 
the vision and contributed in so many ways.

Now the journey continues with my Patreon subscribers
Thank you for your support !




I will continue to share "with the "Global Guitar Community "
what I have learned over the past 4 1/2 decades.

Please consider Subscribing and joining in on the fun 




Serving the guitar industry for 45+ years.  

Thanks goes out to all who have contacted me over the years,
with encouraging words and suggestions.

"Elevating the Art of Guitar Repair and Design",
continues to be my mission.


Sincerely+ Gratefully in your Service,

              Michael McConville