FretHaus Endowed Scholarship is Music to Students’ Ears

Each spring, the FretHaus studio offers approximately 15 students the opportunity to design and fabricate their own guitars. Students’ designs have been showcased in a variety of locations, from the Alabama Contemporary Arts Center in Mobile to Gibson Garage in Nashville.

The scholarship, endowed with $30,000, will provide a $1,000 award annually to an INDD student who aspires to be part of the FretHaus studio.

“This is a great example of the growing attention and generous financial support the Industrial Design program is receiving,” said Alex Hart, a philanthropy officer in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction.

Industrial Design Professor Rich Britnell, a key collaborator of FretHaus, is excited that the scholarship highlights both INDD and the studio.

“FretHaus became a strong addition to the program, as so many people love music and guitars,” he said. “It’s one of the many fun and inspiring opportunities Auburn University offers to students.”

FretHaus has become a studio full of strong emotional connections, with one student designing an AC/DC-themed guitar inspired by childhood memories of classic rock. Brenner Oakes ’22, a member of The Band Silhouette, has even put his studio-made guitar into action on stage.

The studio has also fostered partnerships with industry leaders, including EMG Pickups, based in Santa Rosa, California. EMG has supported the studio since its inception, providing more than $5,000 worth of electronics each year. Another key partner is Gibson Guitars, which began after Britnell presented at their headquarters.

“They asked how they could help, and when they found out we needed materials, it just took off,” Britnell recalled. “From necks to toppers, students have received their orders, and Gibson has been incredibly supportive.”

The studio expresses its thanks annually with a video message showcasing the students’ newly designed guitars.

“Gibson really encourages and enjoys what our students create, and it’s special to be associated with them,” Britnell said.

Keith Medley, Master Luthier and Product Development Manager for Gibson, is also a Professor of Practice in SIGD. He joins the studio about five times a semester to assist students with the technical aspects of guitar design. In fact, Britnell shared that a student is currently in talks to have her guitar design made into a Gibson production model.

“When the students present their work at our annual event, they give their pitch, and then we do a little shredding to show off the instruments,” Britnell explained. “It’s a blast.”

With the addition of this scholarship, FretHaus is poised to inspire the next generation of guitar designers, and the INDD program is set to continue strumming the right chord in the world of design education.