Build Courses

These courses are designed for people who want to understand how instruments are actually built, not just how tasks are performed.

The focus is on complete systems: geometry, material behavior, tolerances, process sequencing, and decision-making. You will leave with a finished instrument and a working understanding of why it behaves the way it does.

This is not a hobby class.

It is not a shortcut to mastery.

It is structured exposure to real build work.

Participants work through the full construction of an instrument under direct guidance, covering:

Design intent and Platform Behavior 

Material Selection and Preparation
Neck Construction and Geometry
Body Machining and fit
Fretwork, Finishing, and Final Setup
Quality Control and Verification
 

You are involved in the decisions, not just the execution.

Each participant completes and takes home the instrument they build.

Disclaimer: While it is YOUR instrument, it is still one of OUR instruments, baring the Contriver name and logo. 

Limitations are in place to preserve the overall mechanics of our system.

Courses are small and time-intensive by design.

This ensures meaningful oversight, real hands-on work, and accountability at each stage.

Participants are expected to:

show up consistently 

work carefully and deliberately

engage with the process beyond surface-level tasks
 

This is closer to supervised production than a classroom environment.

Course pricing reflects

Materials

Shop access

Tooling and consumables

Direct instruction time

The completed instrument
 

Pricing is discussed directly and varies by platform and complexity.

For the right candidate, course participation may lead to paid production work.

This is not guaranteed and not implied.

It is a practical outcome when skill, judgment, and reliability are demonstrated.

When it does occur, work is compensated appropriately and structured to be sustainable—not exploitative.

This course is suited to people who

Want to understand the why, not just the how 

Are comfortable working carefully with real materials 

Respect Process, Tolerances, and Accountability
 

If you’re looking for a casual experience or a certificate, this likely isn’t the right fit.

If you want to build something properly, and understand what you’re doing

you’ll get real value here.

If you’re interested, reach out with

Your Background 

What You Want to Learn 

and

What You’re Hoping to Build
 

We’ll discuss whether the course makes sense—for both of us.