# Guitarist's Tech Workshop with Kurt Bloch, Ben Verellen

Canonical URL: <https://www.creativelive.com/classes/guitarists-tech-workshop-kurt-bloch-ben-verellen>

## Overview

Setting up your guitar can seem like a dark art requiring specialized knowledge. Reading a schematic of a tube amplifier can feel like staring at ancient text. Guitar and tube amp masters Kurt Bloch and Ben Verellen are here to help.

In this two-part workshop, Kurt and Ben will show you exactly how to get the best sound out of your gear.

In part one, Kurt will teach the basics of setting up your guitar. You'll learn about:

- Truss rod adjustment
- Bridge and nut adjustment
- String gauge and playing style
- Guitar maintenance and upkeep
- Guitar electronics and pickups

Part two is your primer on tube amplifiers. Kurt and Ben will explain how they work and show you how to keep them sounding great. You'll learn:

- Tube biasing
- Block diagrams and understanding schematics
- Basic amplifier maintenance
- Capacitor, resistor, and transformer replacement
- Speaker repair and power matching

Kurt Bloch is Gibson Guitar's in-house guitar guru and a legend in the Seattle music scene. He plays in The Fastbacks and Young Fresh Fellows and has production credits for his work with The Presidents of the United States of America and Tokyo Dragons. Ben Verellen started Verellen Amplifiers and now has a full-time staff building handmade custom tube amplifiers for some of the most respected artists in rock and metal. He also fronts Helms Alee, a rock band based in Seattle.

Don't get caught with a bad tone and a blown speaker. Let these two masters show you how to take care of your gear and get the best possible sound.

## Instructors

### Kurt Bloch

As the founder and leader of the Fastbacks, Kurt Bloch's place among the great garage rock pantheon is secure, but his credits as a producer have taken him to the next level in the underground (though he's not quite to above ground level yet).

### Ben Verellen

Ben Verellen is the founder and chief amp-designer of Verellen Amplifiers in Seattle, WA as well as the guitarist for Tacoma, WA based rock band Helms Alee.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $29