The Guitar Repair & Building program in Red Wing draws students of all ages and backgrounds from all over the world. In our program, you will experience hands-on learning as you progress from basic repairs to the step-by-step process of building guitars.
Gain a thorough understanding of woods, adhesives, history, and materials related to fretted instruments. You will practice a variety of common repairs and learn acoustic and electric guitar set-up, fretwork, finishing, and how to perform neck resets.
Please note
Our Guitar Repair and Building program does not offer repair services to the general public.
Degrees in
Guitar Repair and Building DIP
In the one year Guitar Repair and Building program, you will experience hands-on learning as you progress from basic repairs to the step-by-step process of building your own acoustic guitar.
In the second semester, students build a flat-top steel string guitar in the Guitar Repair & Building diploma. You will have the opportunity to build a highly personalized instrument. Students can also design and build their own electric guitar or bass as part of the Electric Guitar Building certificate.
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- Guitar Repair and Building - DIP (37 credits)
Guitar Development and Production - DIP
Please Note: Admissions to the Guitar Development and Production Diploma are currently suspended. No new students are being accepted into the program at this time. For questions or guidance on alternative program options, please contact advising@southeastmn.edu.
The Guitar Development and Production diploma takes lutherie to a higher level of challenge. The program is designed for students who have successfully completed Guitar Repair and Building.
Students build at least two instruments over the course of the year. All students construct either an archtop guitar or a mandolin using a combination of CNC and hand carving. In the Spring Semester, students design and build a custom instrument using CAD and 3D modeling.
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- Guitar Development and Production - DIP (37 credits)
Electric Guitar Building CERT
Students in the first-year Guitar Repair & Building program have the option to design and build an electric guitar as part of their program.
Most of the coursework in the 17-credit Electric Guitar Building certificate is part of the Guitar Repair and Building program, including electric guitar set up and fretwork. Designing and building a highly personalized electric guitar or bass takes that knowledge to the next level.
Learn More
- Electric Guitar Building - CERT (17 credits)
Careers in
Music Stores
Repair Shops
Guitar Makers
Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Minnesota State College Southeast placement rate: 78.6%
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At Minnesota State College Southeast, you can choose your own path, whether it's hands-on training for a new career or taking transfer-level classes to begin a bachelor's degree. Apply now so you will be ready to build the future you've always wanted!
