Thursdays 6-9
Faculty Contact Information
Wed & Thurs 5-6pm
Dr. Jessica Kawa
Office Phone: 815-802-8774
Email: jkawa@kcc.edu Office: L328
Steven Weber Email: sweber@kcc.com
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify components of a guitar. (T)
- Interpret properly project-relevant schematic diagrams and translating those diagrams into functional electronic circuits. (T)
- Apply design and assembly skills to achieve a playable instrument. (T)
- Describe wood species and their attendant environment issues. (S)
- Create proper headstock design features. (E)
- Properly drawing body and headstock designs with a simple, CAD-type computer application and building/manifesting these designs in physical reality. (E)
- Solve math problems relative to all aspects of guitar design & fabrication, i.e. fretboard layout. (M)
- Select proper finishes and paints based on their chemistry and compatibility. (S)
- Identify and describe the various physical-science aspects of the guitar. (S)
- Identify and describe the use of simple machines and mechanical systems in a guitar. (S)
- Describe quantitatively the functional electronics in an electric guitar. (M)
Required Supplies: Safety glasses Required
Scientific calculator
Red pen
Pencil(s)
Eraser
Optional Supplies:
Ear protection (ear plugs or earmuffs)
Dust mask Work gloves
Program Grading Scale: Grade Points A 900-1000 B 800-899 C 700-799 D 600-699 F 599 or less Evaluation: Attendance 75 Study Questions/Quizzes/homework 320 Workshop/lab cleanup/safety 70 Guitar building journal 80 Guitar build progress 225 Comprehensive guitar quality rubric 220 Class photo 25 Exit Survey 25
Business, Technology & Human Services
Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650
Course Policies
Covid-19
KCC continues to comply with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and the Illinois Department of Public Health as we teach and learn in the COVID-19 era. Masks are optional.
Time Commitment Expectation
- At a minimum, the average person can expect to spend one to two additional hours outside of class. This time will be dedicated to reading and viewing online materials, answering study questions, completing homework, studying for quizzes, and building an electric guitar.
- Students who choose to have a custom paint finish must spent extra time outside of class time priming, painting, and clear-coating their guitar.
Class Attendance
- Regular attendance at all scheduled class sessions is expected.
- There are NO excused absences.
- Attendance can not be made up.
- To receive full class attendance points, you must not be late or leave early.
- Reading assignments are indicated on Canvas, and should be finished before the topic is covered in class.
- Some important information provided during the lecture/lab does not appear in Canvas. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain handouts and information presented for any class for which he/she is absent.
- The student should complete all tasks during the week for any class that was missed.
- If a student misses four or more classes in one semester, he/she may receive an automatic “F”.
- If a student knows ahead of time that they need to miss class for an unavoidable reason, they should let the teacher know ASAP so arrangements can be made for the student to attend the other class section during that same week, if possible. Due to limited space this may not always be an option.
Lab Cleanup and Safety
- Lab cleanup is from 8:45 - 9:00 PM.
- All students must preform cleanup duties.
- There are NO excused cleanup absences.
- If a student chooses to work with permission and supervision from an instructor after 9:00 PM, he/she must cleanup after themselves.
- Students not wearing safety glasses in the wood shop will lose their cleanup and safety grade for the day.
- Students using a cell phone in the wood shop will lose their cleanup and safety grade for the day.
Classroom Code of Conduct
- Use of cell phones during class is not permitted in the workshop.
- Use of tablets or laptops during class is not permitted in the workshop.
- No texting, Twitter, Facebook, Internet surfing not related to electric guitar building.
- No playing video games.
- No Food in the Innovation Lab (Room V111).
- Please turn off or set cell phones to vibrate. If a call must be answered, please leave the classroom quietly.
- If you violate any of this policies, you will lose that day’s attendance points and be asked to leave the class.
Computer Graphic Technology Lab Safety
- All students must sign the V111 Innovation Safety Contract before working the the lab.
- Students will be allowed to work in V102 Engineering Design Lab or V107 Graphic Design Lab outside of scheduled Computer Graphic Technology class times during open building hours. Lab schedules are typically posted on the door or bulletin board.
- Students will not be allowed to work in V111 Innovation Lab Wood Shop outside of enrolled class times without prior approval or consent of instructor or program coordinator and direct supervision of tutor, instructor or program coordinator.
- Students will be allowed to work in V111 Innovation Lab Tech Room outside of enrolled class times with prior approval or consent of instructor or program coordinator. However, no power tools may be used.
- Students must supply and wear safety glasses in the wood shop.
- Students must wear closed toe shoes at all times.
- Students must not wear loose fitting clothing. Students with long hair shall tie it back.
- No headphones or earbuds are NOT allowed at any time.
Student Support Hours
- The Innovation Lab V111 will typically be open for use on 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM before class.
- Students may email, or telephone or schedule appointments with instructors virtually (Canvas BigBlueButton, or Webex), during the instructors' student support hours. Students may also meet face-to-face with the professors at his/her office.
- Instructors will respond to student emails and other communication within a 24-hour period Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semester. If an email is unable to resolve a student issue/concern, the professors will schedule to meet with a student virtually (Canvas BigBlueButton, or Webex).
Study Questions Homework Policy
- Study Questions Homework can NOT be made up.
- Study Questions Homework must be submitted by the date/time due.
- Any student failing to submit Study Questions Homework by the date/time due will receive a zero.
- Students with four submittals below 50% will be removed from the class roster.
- First failed submittal (below 50%) will result in a verbal warning.
- Second failed submittal (below 50%) will result in written warning.
- Third failed submittal (below 50%) will result in removal from Innovation Lab for the day with written warning.
- Forth failed submittal (below 50%) will result in be withdrawn from the class roster.
Guitar Progress Checks Policy
- Guitar progress checks must be submitted by the date/time due for full credit.
- Guitar progress checks submitted after the date/time will not receive credit.
Guitar Build Journals Policy
- Guitar Build Journals must be submitted by the date/time due for full credit.
- Guitar Build Journals submitted after the date/time will not receive credit.
Pop Quiz Policy
- Pop Quizzes cannot be made up.
- Any student missing a Pop Quiz will receive a zero.
- Any student arriving late for the Pop Quiz will not be given extra time to complete the Pop Quiz.
- Pop Quizzes may not be taken online outside of class.
KCC Student Athletes Policy
- All student athletes will be granted attendance points while participating in KCC sporting events, not practices.
- All missed labs, quizzes and tests due to sporting events must be completed within one week of the scheduled quiz or test.
- All missed quizzes and tests due to sporting events must be rescheduled during posted office hours.
Incomplete Grade Policy
- All course requirements must be completed by the end date of the course.
- An incomplete grade will NOT be granted regardless of the extenuating circumstances.
Plagiarism
- KCC defines plagiarism: Representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own. Plagiarism includes claiming credit for assignments completed by someone else. Copying someone else’s homework file is plagiarism.
- In all academic work, the ideas and contributions of others must be appropriately acknowledged and work that is presented as original must be, in fact, original. Using an AI-content generator (such as CHATGPT) to complete coursework without proper attribution or authorization is a form of academic dishonesty.
- If you are unsure about whether something may be plagiarism or academic dishonesty, please contact your instructor to discuss the issue. First violation will result in a zero for the assignment. The second violation will result in “f” failing of the course.
Week 1, Introduction of STEM Guitar, 8/20/2025 and 8/21/2025 Learning Objectives: • Explore the history of Guitarbuilding.org • Review the types of builds at Guitarbuilding.org • Define the typical KCC electric build • Explore body and headstock shapes In-Class Activities: • Review syllabus • Review Canvas • Sign Photo/video release • Review safety procedures • Sign KCC Safety Contract • Pick out bodies, necks and fretboards • Review Guitar Build Journal Assignment • Draw body and headstock shapes
Week 2, Body and Headstock Construction – I, 8/27/2025 and 8/28/2025 Learning Objectives: • Describe the Fibonacci Series (Sequence) and its relationship to the so-called Golden Mean • Describe and discuss the significance of the Golden Mean (Golden Ratio) giving at least three examples of • its appearance in nature. • Describe the application of the Golden Mean (Golden Ratio) to the size, shape, and physical form of a guitar • Design and demonstrate headstock shaping • Design and demonstrate body shaping o Define arm relief shaping o Define belly relief shaping o Define routed edges • Demonstrate safe band saw operations • Demonstrate safe skill saw operations • Demonstrate safe shaping operations • Demonstrate safe power sanding operations Before-Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Study Questions Homework – Online, Due Week 2 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Body and Headstock Sketch Homework, Due Week 2 Thursday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal In-Class Activities: • Headstock o Transfer sketch to headstock blank o Cut out outline o Sanding the outline • Body o Transfer body drawing to body blank o Cut out outline o Shape arm relief o Shape belly relief o Sand the outline, arm relief, and belly relief
Week 3, Body and Headstock Construction – II, 9/3/2025 and 9/4/2025 Learning Objectives: • Visually identify and know the names of the basic parts of a guitar • List of websites URLs for vendors of guitar parts, tools, and resources • Research the cost of an electric guitar build • Demonstrate safe router operation • Demonstrate wood repairs on guitars • Describe and discuss the differences between end grain; face grain, edge grain in various kinds of wood. • Determine the best direction in which to cut and shape wood relative to its grain orientation • Demonstrate the trial fitting of the guitar neck to the guitar body’s neck pocket, and properly QC the critical dimensions • Describe and explain the differences between various grits of sandpaper and their respective functions. • Demonstrate sanding the neck, headstock, and body. • Explain and demonstrate the fitting of the truss rod into its slot in the guitar neck Before-Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Guitar Anatomy and Cost Estimate Homework, Due Week 3 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal In-Class Activities: Headstock o Cut out outline o Sanding the outline Body o Cut out outline o Shape Arm relief o Shape Belly relief o Sand the outline, arm relief, and belly relief o Router the edges of the body Quality Control o Trail fit of the guitar neck to the guitar body’s neck pocket Neck o Sanding the neck and entire headstock Guitar Progress Check #1
Week 4, Preparing the Fretboard, 9/10/2025 and 9/11/2025 Learning Objectives: • Explore the placement of the frets by using Fibonacci Series • Explore different types of fret dots • Describe wood species used in guitars • Layout fret locations • Define and demonstrate safe drill press operations • Install fret dots on the fretboard • Chamfer nut end of the fretboard Before-Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Study Questions Homework – Online, Due Week 4 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal In-Class Activities: Preparing Fretboard o Layout fret locations o Drill fret dots o Insert plastic with super glue o Cut off fret dot material o Chamfer nut end of the fretboard
Week 5, Assembling the Neck, Electronics Pocket, 9/17/2025 and 9/18/2025 Learning Objectives: • Determine proper location of electronics pocket for your body style • Hog out the electronics pocket • Define the functions of the truss rod • Explore neck tension and compression • Assemble the fretboard to the neck Before Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Study Questions Homework – Online, Due Week 5 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal In-Class Activities: Electronics Pocket • Sketch electronics pocket on the body • Hog out electronics pocket with drill press Assembling Neck • Flatten the fit of the fretboard and neck • Prep fretboard for attachment to neck • Glue fretboard to the neck
Week 6, Electronics Pocket, Jack Hole, Wiring Hole, Pickup Access Hole, 9/24/2025 and 9/25/2025 Learning Objectives: • Create the electronics pocket using a router • Create wiring hole between the pickup pockets • Create the jack hole • Create pickup access hole • Demonstrate fretboard radius sanding • Apply Tru-Oil to the guitar neck and fretboard Before Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Study Questions Homework – Online, Due Week 6 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal In-Class Activities: Electronics Pocket • Router the electronics pocket • Router the electronic pocket cover recess Wiring Holes • Drill 7/8” jack hole • Drill 5/16” wiring hole from electronics pocket into first pickup pocket • Drill the 5/16” hole between pickup pockets. • Fit the electronic cover Fretboard Radius Sanding • 12" radius-sand the fretboard w/120 grit • 12" radius-sand the fretboard w/220 grit • Raise grain and 12" radius-sand the fretboard w/400 grit Neck Finishing • Apply Tru-Oil to the guitar neck and fretboardGuitar Progress Check #2
Week 7, Fretting, 10/1/2025 and 10/2/2025 Learning Objectives: • Calculate fretboard math • Prepare fretboard for fret install • Install frets • File fret ends • Level frets • Install side dots Before Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Study Questions Homework – Online, Due Week 7 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal In-Class Activities: Install and File Frets • Prepare fretboard for fret install • File fret ends • Level frets Side Dots • Install side dots
Week 8, Finishing – I, 10/8/2025 and 10/9/2025 Learning Objectives: • Define sanding sealer • Define natural (Tru-Oil) finish • Define stain finish • Define primer • Define swirl dip finish • Define solid color paint finish • Define a painting guitar stick • Demonstrate the finishing process for the neck Before Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Study Questions Homework – Online, Due Week 8 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal, Due Week 9 Wednesday 6In-Class Activities: Neck Finishing – Part 1 • Apply second coat of Tru-oil Body Finishing • Sanding – 220 grit • Apply first coat of sealer to body, NOT fretboard. o Let dry, 30 minutes minimum. • Apply second coat of sealer to body, NOT fretboard. o Sanding – 320 grit o Let completely dry for 48 hours. • If swirl dip or painting, apply two coats of primer during spring break
Week 9, Finishing – II, 10/15/2025 and 10/16/2025 Learning Objectives: • Observe or demonstrate swirl dips • Define painter’s tape • Define protective clear polyurethane finish • Define wet sanding a guitar finish • Define buffing a guitar finish Before Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Study Questions Homework – Online, Due Week 9 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal In-Class Activities: • Preform swirl dips • or • Apply first coat of finish Guitar Progress Check #3
Week 10, Electricity and Magnetism in Electric Guitars - I, 10/22/2025 and 10/23/2025 Learning Objectives: • Explore electric guitar history and development • Explore magnets, magnetism, and magnetic fields • Explore guitar magnetic pickups • Interpreting electrical schematic symbols • Interpreting wiring diagrams • Comparing different wiring arrangements used in electric guitars • Assemble the wiring harness Before Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Study Questions Homework – Online, Due Week 10 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal In-Class Activities: • Create wiring connections for the wiring harness • Complete finishing steps Week 11, Electricity and Magnetism in Electric Guitars - II, 10/29/2025 and 10/30/2025 Learning Objectives: • Demonstrate soldering for electrical circuits • Test connectivity of the wiring harness Before Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Study Questions Homework – Online, Due Week 11 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal In-Class Activities: • Solder wiring connections • Install the wiring harness in electronic pocket • Test wiring harness • Complete finishing steps
Week 12, Assembling the Guitar – I, 11/5/2025 and 11/6/2025 Learning Objectives: • Define treaded fasteners • Explain the hole sizes used in the guitar • Install tuner machines to the headstock • Install string ferrules • Install electronic hardware Before Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Study Questions Homework – Online, Due Week 12 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal Guitar Progress Check #4 11/6/2025, Last Day to Withdrawal
Week 13, Assembling the Guitar II, 11/12/2025 and 11/13/2025 Learning Objectives: • Fit the string nut • Install the strap button to the guitar body • Secure the neck to the guitar body Before Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Study Questions Homework – Online, Due Week 13 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal In-Class Activities: • Install tuner machines to the headstock • Install string ferrules • Install control knobs, output jack and bridge ground wire • Install the bridge and ground • Install pickups and frames • Solder pickups wires, bridge ground and testing • Secure the jack plate to the body • Fit the string nut • Screw the neck to the body • Locate and install strap button
Week 14, Guitar Setup I, 11/19/2025 and 11/20/2025 Learning Objectives: • Rough in bridge saddles • Align the guitar neck • Install guitar strings • Locate and Install string trees on headstock • Tune open strings EADGBe Before Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Study Questions Homework – Online, Due Week 14 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal In-Class Activities: • Rough in bridge saddle positions • Align the guitar neck • Install guitar strings • Install string trees on headstock • Tune open strings EADGBe Guitar Progress Check #5
Week 15, Guitar Setup II, 11/26/2025 and 11/27/2025 – ONLINE (No Class,hanksgiving) Learning Objectives: • Install the electronics cover • Set neck relief • Adjust pickup height • Adjust string height at 1st fret (Nut Adjustments) • Adjust string height at 21st fret (Bridge Adjustments) Before Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Study Questions Homework – Online, Due Week 15 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal In-Class Activities: • Install the electronics cover • Adjust pickup height • Set neck relief • Adjust string height at 1st fret (Nut Adjustments) • Adjust string height at 21st fret (Bridge Adjustments)
Week 16, Intonation, 12/3/2025 and 12/4/2025 Learning Objectives: • Define intonation • Perform intonation adjustments Before Class Activities: • Reading and viewing assignment – Online • Study Questions Homework – Online, Due Week 16 Wednesday 6:00 PM • Update your Guitar Build Journal, Due Final Week Wednesday 6:00 PM In-Class Activities: • Perform intonation adjustments • Set intonation to concert pitch and final testing Finals Week, 12/10/2025 and 12/11/2025 Before Class Activities: • Update your Guitar Build Journal, Due Final Week Wednesday 6:00 PM In-Class Activities: • Exit survey • Class photo • Comprehensive guitar quality evaluation • Guitar jam Copyright The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further Information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at http://www.kcc.edu/students/collegeinfo/copyright/index.asp . Syllabus Disclaimer Instructor may change this syllabus according to instructional needs or time constraints
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.