Lesson 1Electronics and pickup systems for steel-string acoustics: undersaddle piezo, soundboard transducers, mics, preamp features and placementInvestigate undersaddle piezos, soundboard transducers, internal mics, and blended systems for steel-string acoustics. Learn preamp placement, EQ, and feedback control strategies for reliable live and studio use in varied Botswana conditions.
Undersaddle piezo installation and couplingSoundboard transducers: placement and toneInternal microphones and blended systemsOnboard preamps, EQ, and phase controlsShielding, wiring, and feedback managementLesson 2Body shapes and sizes: dreadnought, OM, concert, parlor, jumbo — tonal and ergonomic tradeoffsSurvey dreadnought, OM, concert, parlor, and jumbo body shapes, relating air volume, waist, and depth to tonal balance and projection. Evaluate ergonomic factors such as reach, comfort, and playing posture for local players.
Dreadnought power, bass, and strumming focusOM and concert balance for fingerstyle clarityParlor intimacy, midrange, and couch playingJumbo volume, low-end, and stage presenceBody depth, waist, and seated comfortLesson 3Finish choices and effects: gloss nitrocellulose, polyurethane, oil/varnish — acoustic resonance, durability, and aestheticsCompare nitrocellulose, polyurethane, and oil or varnish finishes in terms of film thickness, flexibility, and repairability. Understand how finish chemistry and application methods influence resonance, durability, and appearance in humid Botswana climates.
Nitrocellulose: thin films and aging behaviorPolyurethane: protection, thickness, and feelOil and varnish: hand-rubbed acoustic responseFinish thickness and damping of top vibrationSurface prep, pore filling, and adhesionLesson 4Back and sides wood: rosewood, mahogany, maple — overtone spectra, projection, and weight considerationsExplore how rosewood, mahogany, maple, and other back and side woods affect overtones, projection, weight, and balance. Learn to match wood density and damping to desired tonal goals and player comfort with accessible woods.
Rosewood density, overtones, and low-end focusMahogany midrange emphasis and dry responseMaple clarity, quick decay, and stage projectionLaminated vs solid backs: tone and stabilityWood thickness, side depth, and overall weightLesson 5Bracing systems: X-brace variants, scalloped vs. non-scalloped, tone bars, and structural considerationsStudy X-brace layouts, scalloping styles, and tone bar patterns that control stiffness, volume, and reliability. Learn how brace carving, placement, and gluing methods balance resonance with long-term structural safety for durable builds.
Standard X-brace geometry and load pathsForward-shifted X vs rear-shifted X voicingScalloped vs straight braces: attack and sustainTone bars and finger braces: fine-tuning responseBrace height, width, and mass optimizationLesson 6Fretboard and bridge materials: ebony, rosewood, alternatives, and their effects on sustain and feelExamine how ebony, rosewood, and alternative fretboard and bridge materials influence stiffness, damping, sustain, and tactile feel. Learn to choose materials that complement the top and support stable intonation using local alternatives.
Ebony hardness, brightness, and wear resistanceRosewood warmth, porosity, and tactile feedbackBridge mass and footprint effects on top motionEngineered woods and composites as alternativesGrain orientation and glue joint reliabilityLesson 7Scale length, string tension, and neck profile selection for playability and toneUnderstand how scale length, string gauge, and neck profile shape tension, feel, and tone. Learn to specify dimensions that suit different styles, hand sizes, and tunings while maintaining structural safety for Botswana musicians.
Scale length, pitch, and string tension mathShort vs long scale: feel and tonal shiftsNeck depth, width, and shoulder shapesRadius, fret size, and playability factorsMatching tension to tunings and string gaugesLesson 8Nut and saddle materials: bone, Tusq, synthetic options — tonal differences and wear characteristicsAnalyze bone, Tusq, and synthetic nut and saddle options, focusing on hardness, consistency, and wear. Learn how contact area, fit, and polishing influence attack, sustain, tuning stability, and long-term reliability in dusty environments.
Bone density, lubrication, and tonal characterTusq and engineered synthetics: consistencyNut slot geometry, break angle, and tuningSaddle height, compensation, and intonationContact surfaces, polishing, and string wearLesson 9Top wood selection: spruce (Sitka, Adirondack), cedar — stiffness-to-weight, response, and recording behaviorCompare Sitka, Adirondack, and cedar tops in stiffness-to-weight, headroom, and responsiveness. Learn grading, thicknessing, and bracing strategies that optimize projection, dynamics, and recording behavior with available woods.
Sitka spruce versatility and dynamic rangeAdirondack stiffness, headroom, and attackCedar warmth, sensitivity, and light touchGrain, runout, and top grading criteriaThicknessing tops for target stiffness
