Nashville is a city of musicians, but to keep their instruments, stage and studio ready they need guitar techs. Now a new craft academy is helping students learn the trade.
"We teach people to design, build, repair and repair electric and acoustic guitars," said Michael Phifer, Director of Guitar Craft Academy in Nashville.
Guitar Craft Academy helps musicians, passionate about playing, learn technical skills to keep them consistently employed.
"If you're a rock musician in Nashville chances are you don't make any money so you have to have a day job. And instead of working in a coffee shops and restaurants and stuff, I do handyman stiff on the side. Thought of this as an investment," said student Clayton Marsh.
According to instructors, 90 percent of the students who just graduated already have jobs, most working with local guitar artisans.
"They can work for a manufacture, they can go out on the road as a guitar tech. They can work for a repair facility or start their own business," said Phifer.
Student Craig Standridge retired from the Air Force and said this will be his second career.
"There's nothing better than doing something that you love," he said.
The course is a 6-month commitment.
Guitar Craft Academy is having an open house Saturday, August 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. Click here for more info.
