Custom guitar builder Randy Spencer at Dallas Guitar Show
Build your own guitar at Spencer Acoustics in Garland, Texas. Randy Spencer is a master home builder now building boutique acoustic guitars. Randy’s shop, Spencer Acoustics, is open to experienced builders and novices alike. When I met Randy, I only had a rudimentary knowledge of building – like I built several skateboard ramps as a kid and work on my own cars. I was no where near qualified to build an acoustic guitar from scratch, so I thought..
My guitar building journey unwittingly began while I was perusing Craig’s List for custom guitars and amps. I stumbled upon Randy’s post to “Build your own guitar!” and I thought ‘Wow, that’s cool.’ I did some googling regarding luthier schools in the United States and the nearest school is in Nashville, Tennessee and costs $6,000 dollars – that includes tuition and materials only (you still have to pay room and board).
Randy charges 50 dollars per class and each guitar building class is 3 hours long. That is cheap!! Let’s say you don’t know how to setup an acoustic guitar or even change your own guitar strings for example, go to Randy’s for one class and you will have that guitar knowledge for a lifetime. This is an overly simplistic approach to class, but I want you to understand that the skills you learn at Spencer Acoustics continue to enrich your guitar life for years to come. You cannot find a better guitar building coach in the North Texas area. Randy is the man.
Guitar Building Classes
Guitar building student Tom cutting the curved end of his fretboard in Spencer Acoustics Workshop
Spencer Acoustics’ guitar building classes are tailored specifically to the individual and their guitar build needs. Randy does not use a lecture format; instead, he works one-on-one with the student at their pace. Every class is situational. If you want to spend one class building your acoustic guitar and the next class swapping pickups in your favorite electric, do it! During building classes, Randy explains each step in detail and demonstrates the ‘how to.’ Then, it’s your turn to start building!
Randy is always supervising and available throughout the duration of the guitar building class. Classes are only $50, so there is no pressure to rush through your build. Since class is not in lecture format, you can take time off for holidays and not worry about falling behind – build at your own pace.
Guitar building classes are available weekly – Monday through Saturday. Daytime class times is 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. Evening class time is 6pm-9pm. Closed Sundays…see you Monday.
- Guitar building class is 3 hours long.
- Cost is $50 per class, materials not included.
- Materials for a typical guitar is about $400 without electronics.
- You will make every part of the guitar from scratch. NO KITS ALLOWED!
- Build an OM Acoustic, a Dreadnought Acoustic, a 3/4 size guitar, or one of several other styles including electric guitars.
- Work at your own pace. Taking time off for work and holidays will not put you behind.
- Situational. Class is tailored to the individual student and build.
- One-on-one and small group instruction.