PRACTICAL MODAL TUNING MASTERCLASS
EARLY BIRD SALE
Practical Modal Tuning Masterclass
A three week live masterclass focused on the practical application of modal tuning in a professional luthier's workshop.
Rather than covering the theory behind modal tuning, we will follow the process through an actual guitar build, from material analysis and establishing target plate thicknesses, through initial tuning of the closed box, modal checks throughout construction, and final tuning of the completed instrument.
Includes:
4 × 90 minute live sessions
Three week guided cohort
Weekly practical exercises and prizes
Private Facebook group
Mid week updates, discussion, and support
Q&A throughout the course
*Prices shown in USD.
Practical Modal Tuning Masterclass
A three week live cohort focused on applying modal tuning in a professional luthier's workshop.
When: October 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2026
Where: Live on Zoom
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Pacific Time
Modal tuning is a powerful tool, but understanding the theory is only part of the process.
The real challenge is knowing when to measure, what the measurements are telling you, and what to do with that information while building an instrument.
This masterclass focuses entirely on that practical application.
We'll follow my entire process from material testing, through initial modal tuning of the closed box and important stages of construction, to tuning and optimising the finished instrument.
This is not a course on the theory behind modal tuning. Instead, I'll show you how I use Chladni patterns and spectrum analysis as practical tools in my professional workshop, and how I use those measurements to make decisions throughout my whole building process.
What You Will Learn
Week 1: Chladni, Spectrum Analysis & Material Testing
October 7, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Pacific Time
We'll begin by setting up the tools you need to perform modal analysis in your own workshop.
We'll cover:
Setting up a Chladni system
Setting up and using spectrum analysis software
Using Chladni and spectrum analysis together
Testing your own top and back plates
Using material testing to establish target plate thicknesses
You'll also receive a free plate thickness calculator that turns your material testing results into target plate thicknesses.
Your Week 1 Challenge
Build your own Chladni and spectrum analysis setup, test your materials, and post your results in the private Facebook group.
Anyone who demonstrates their setup and posts their material testing results using both spectrum analysis and Chladni patterns will be entered into a draw to win a spruce top from Pacific Rim Tonewoods.
Week 2: Closed Box Initial Modal Tuning
October 14, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Pacific Time
Once your measurement system is working, we'll move on to the instrument itself.
We'll cover:
Locating the modes of the top and back
Interpreting the results
Performing the initial modal tuning of the closed box
Your Week 2 Challenge
Test an instrument currently in progress, a finished instrument, or both.
Cross reference your spectrum analysis data with your Chladni data to identify and confirm the modes you are seeing.
Post your spectrum analysis data and corresponding Chladni patterns in the private Facebook group.
Everyone who posts their testing results will be entered into a draw to win another spruce top from Pacific Rim Tonewoods.
Week 3: Final Tuning & Optimisation
October 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Pacific Time
In the final week, we'll move to the completed instrument and look at final modal tuning and optimisation.
We'll cover:
Using modal analysis to optimise a finished instrument
Interpreting the results
Deciding what can still be changed
Making modal adjustments
Measuring monopole mobility
Your Final Challenge
Show the steps you took to perform final tuning on an instrument, or demonstrate how you would approach optimising a finished instrument.
The emphasis is on your process and your decision-making.
Anyone who completes the final challenge will be entered into the final prize draw, held during the recap session.
Final Recap & Q&A
October 28, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Pacific Time
One week after the final masterclass session, we'll come back together for a final recap and Q&A.
We'll review the complete process, discuss your results, answer questions, troubleshoot problems, and talk about incorporating modal tuning into your own workshop.
The final prize draw will also take place during this session.
What Makes This Different?
There are already many excellent courses and resources that explain the theory behind modal tuning.
This isn't one of them.
This masterclass is about the practical questions that come up at the bench:
How do you set up the equipment?
How do you test your materials?
How do those measurements translate into target plate thicknesses?
When should you measure the instrument?
What should you look for?
How do you cross reference spectrum analysis data with Chladni patterns?
What do you do when the measurements aren't where you want them?
And once the instrument is finished, what can you actually do with the information?
These are the questions we'll work through using your own materials and instruments.
The Masterclass Includes
✓ 4 × 90-minute live masterclass sessions
✓ Recordings of all live sessions for catch-up and review
✓ Three-week cohort
✓ Private Facebook group with mid-week support and discussion
✓ Practical weekly challenges
✓ Chladni and spectrum analysis setup instruction
✓ Material testing
✓ Free plate thickness calculator
✓ Target plate thickness methodology
✓ Closed box modal tuning
✓ Modal testing throughout construction
✓ Final tuning and optimisation
✓ Weekly prize draws
✓ Final prize draw during the recap
Who Is This For?
This masterclass is intended for guitar makers who already have a working knowledge of guitar construction and want to incorporate modal tuning into their own workshop.
You do not need to be an expert in acoustics or modal analysis.
You do need to be comfortable building guitars and willing to build and use your own measurement setup throughout the course.
The emphasis is on practical application rather than acoustic theory.
What You Will Need
You will need access to:
A computer capable of running spectrum analysis software
Basic materials and equipment for building a Chladni setup, including a 5" speaker, computer and amplifier
An instrument and tonewood to test during the course
A willingness to experiment, measure, and share your results
Specific equipment and setup information will be provided during the course.
Join the Cohort
Take modal tuning out of the realm of theory and put it to work in your own workshop.
October 7 to 28, 2026
Live on Zoom
3 core sessions + final recap and Q&A
Session recordings included
Private Facebook group + practical challenges + mid-week support + prize draws
Join the Practical Modal Tuning Masterclass
Practical Modal Tuning Masterclass
A three week live masterclass focused on the practical application of modal tuning in a professional luthier's workshop.
Rather than covering the theory behind modal tuning, we will follow the process through an actual guitar build, from material analysis and establishing target plate thicknesses, through initial tuning of the closed box, modal checks throughout construction, and final tuning of the completed instrument.
Includes:
4 × 90 minute live sessions
Three week guided cohort
Weekly practical exercises and prizes
Private Facebook group
Mid week updates, discussion, and support
Q&A throughout the course