Setup and Care of Your Electric Guitar

Join veteran player and guitar repair guru Kevin Thomson for this two-day class that will cover all of the basics and best practices of how to set up your electric guitar to suit you, and how to maintain it. Kevin has toured extensively in the United States and Europe for over three decades and will share his experience and practical know-how to provide a solid foundational sense of how all the parts and variables of a guitar can work together for your style. From stringing, setup and troubleshooting to maintenance and cleaning, you will learn it all. (Note: soldering principles will be discussed, but there will be no hands-on soldering in this class.)

In the first class session, you will learn about how the instrument works; string types, their construction, and differences; the types and impact of pickups; instrument cables; the goemetry and principles of setup; and, finally, Kevin will debunk a few myths about the electric guitar. You can then choose a set of supplied strings, either GHS 10-46 or D'Addario balanced tension 11-50, or you can bring your own set to the second session. Students who prefer a different string set can receive a 10% discount on a set of their choice at Stockade Guitars on North Front St. in Kingston.

Session two will be a hands-on clinic where you will be guided through the setup of your instrument with the strings and other components of your choice. You will also leave with a compact toolkit that includes mini screwdrivers, allen wrenches, a string winder, and other necessary items for your roadcase.

Dates: Fri., Dec. 1 (5-9 PM) & Sun., Dec. 3 (1-5 PM)
Instructor: Kevin Thomson
Class size (max.): 6
Attendance (min.): 4**
Skill level: basic
Prerequisites: none

Registration
Household Member & Above: $150*
Individual Member: $157*
General Public: $175
Register By: Nov. 20, 2023

Materials: $25 (price at checkout will include tuition and material cost)

*Please login to receive your member discounts. Please note that you must be a current member the date of the event to receive your discount.

**Classes that do not meet the minimum attendance number may be cancelled or rescheduled. If so, you will receive a full refund regardless of the cancellation date.

Instructor: Kevin Thomson has been a recording and touring guitarist internationally since 1986. As a teacher, he shares decades of studio and stage experience. In his electric guitar setup class at WBS, students gain a working knowledge of the principles of guitar design and the techniques for making them play their best. (Artist photo credit: Lenny Gonzalez.)