Fret Haus: Guitar Design and Fabrication

In 2018, Professor Rich Britnell created Fret Haus, a guitar design studio and senior thesis program. Britnell originally developed the idea for Fret Haus because so many of his students were interested in guitars and music, and the studio is now in its third year. Students are challenged to design and fabricate solid body guitars. This innovative curriculum has led to a fruitful partnership with experienced industry professional Keith Medley, Lead Design Engineer at Gibson Guitars and now Professor of Practice at Auburn University. At the 2019 Fret Haus showcase, Medley provided a musical performance while attendees viewed posters, guitars and related products designed by the students.

A spring 2021 showcase took place at the Alabama Contemporary Art Center in Mobile.

Rich Britnell is Professor of Industrial Design in the School of Industrial and Graphic Design.