Lutherie Classes Archives - Dogwood Guitars

Guitar Building and Repair Classes

Greg loves teaching guitar building and repair as much as he loves building guitars himself. Although not currently taking on an apprentice, Greg is offering individual classes in two areas: Guitar Building, and Acoustic and Electric Guitar Setup and Repair. You will learn in a relaxed atmosphere from an experienced and meticulous craftsman and custom builder. […]

Lutherie Classes: Acoustic Guitar Building Class

Guitar Building Class Have you ever wanted to build your own high quality acoustic guitar, but were intimidated by the amount of tools, jigs, and skills involved? Here is your opportunity to work one-on-one with an experienced professional luthier and builder to make your own guitar in beautiful rural Knox county Ohio. The class is […]

Lutherie Classes: Setup and Repair

Acoustic and Electric Guitar Repair and Setup Classes Want to learn how to work on your own guitars? Or maybe you want to earn some extra cash doing setups and repairs in your community. These classes, offered when it is convenient for you, will show you the right way to perform all manner of essential […]

The Eminence

The Eminence is a Grand Auditorium sized guitar that Greg designed to provide a little extra high frequency (treble) response, along with the clear and balanced tone that all Dogwood models are known for. A slightly smaller body depth and a very … [Read More...]

1977 Martin D-18 Restoration

Older Martins often need substantial work to restore them to excellent playability. Recently a 1977 Martin D-18 was brought to me for evaluation. The guitar needed a neck reset, fret work, bridge plate repair, and cracks in the top repaired. A new … [Read More...]

Guitar Build Class: Tom S.

I recently completed a rewarding two week twelve day deep dive into guitar building. The course was taught by Greg Maxwell of Dogwood Guitars in Mt. Vernon Ohio. “Course” is inadequate to describe this skill and technique refining … [Read More...]

1932 Martin 0-18 Parlor Guitar

It's not often that a luthier has the opportunity to work on a pre-war Martin. This little 1932 Parlor 0-18 came to the shop in very rough condition. It took a tumble down some stairs, resulting in a long crack in the treble side of the body and … [Read More...]

Shop Tour

The original Dogwood Guitars shop, located in rural central Ohio. The Dogwood Guitars shop is located in Mount Vernon, OH, having relocated back to central Ohio in August of 2017 after operating for five years in Kansas City. The shop is fully … [Read More...]

Building a Monarch: Binding

The quality of the binding and purfling work is one of the factors that makes a guitar a true work of art. Some builders install bindings and purflings in one step, and this can lead to less-than-perfect results. Dogwood guitars are bound using a … [Read More...]

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Why do old guitars sound better?

Why do some old guitars sound so good? Even inexpensive guitars can age into really good sounding instruments, and some old guitars attain legendary tone. Why is this? The answer can be found in one of three factors and the best combine all of them. First it should be pointed out that some old guitars sound great... but not all of them. This is true regardless of brand. It is probable that many average sounding guitars don't make it to old age because they aren't deemed to be worth taking … [Read More...]

More Technical Articles

The Three Elements of a Great Guitar

Guitar players and collectors have so many choices available to them. New, used, factory brands, hand built...how do you narrow down the choices to the best option for you? In my opinion, any guitar should be measured by three characteristics: Tone, playability, and appearance. I list these in order of priority. While all three should be excellent, many players go for the eye candy first. But first and foremost a guitar must have great tone to be a great guitar. Abalone trim, perfectly … [Read More...]

More Viewpoint Articles