Search found 251 matches
- Tue Jan 19, 2021 1:39 pm
- Forum: Tools and Jigs
- Topic: Wow! Rulers Are Not the Same! Recommend An Accurate Straight-Edge?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 22181
Re: Wow! Rulers Are Not the Same! Recommend An Accurate Straight-Edge?
I noticed this long ago, as well. For some reason I was comparing rulers, and I noticed that the cork backed ruler I had purchased from Staples, which is great for cutting a straight line, because the cork doesn't slide as easily, was WAY off from other rulers. I now only use that for cutting straig...
- Sun Jan 17, 2021 9:27 pm
- Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
- Topic: Stupid question of the day. Finish then set neck, or set neck then finish?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 6902
Re: Stupid question of the day. Finish then set neck, or set neck then finish?
I completed two set neck guitars in late 2019, and I finished them after I glued on the neck. My reasoning was that any imperfections in any point of the neck joint could be filled, and sanded. They came out very well.
- Mon Dec 14, 2020 11:16 am
- Forum: Glues and Finishes
- Topic: No bubbles or brush marks with water borne finishes
- Replies: 8
- Views: 9295
Re: No bubbles or brush marks with water borne finishes
Very interesting Chuck. Do you use the same technique between each coat? How many coats do you find you need with this technique?
- Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:09 am
- Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
- Topic: Sunburst on Tom Bills archtop
- Replies: 10
- Views: 11669
Re: Sunburst on Tom Bills archtop
I am a member of Tom Bills' Art of Lutherie program. I took his VERY detailed French polish class. Tom only uses French polish, due to an accident that almost blew up his house when using nitrocellulose lacquer, and some health concerns. He always dewaxes his shellac flakes, even though he buys dewa...
- Thu May 14, 2020 6:07 pm
- Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
- Topic: Dome height
- Replies: 13
- Views: 15389
Re: Dome height
There was a guy in Los Angeles CA, USA, who was doing bent 2 piece tops for archtops. I'll have to look around for his site. Really nice guy. Basically, he was using a flat top, and bending it to the arch shape, and then jointing the two halves, and gluing them together. It saved a ton of wood. I we...
- Sat Apr 25, 2020 9:43 am
- Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
- Topic: Newbie build
- Replies: 10
- Views: 13235
Re: Newbie build
That looks fantastic. My first guitar was also an archtop, and I made two at the same time. I found that doing a step on one would help me do the second one better, so I switched around which one I did first. It was very satisfying, as I am sure it was for you, and the results are stunning. Great job!
- Fri Mar 06, 2020 10:57 am
- Forum: Glues and Finishes
- Topic: A faster, non-spray booth, finish for a classical guitar project.
- Replies: 6
- Views: 9547
Re: A faster, non-spray booth, finish for a classical guitar project.
You may want to check out obrienguitars.com French polish finish. I think it is brand specific, but he puts on a really nice French polish finish in less than a day or so (can't remember exactly, but it is quick). He does a 7 day guitar making class, and this is the finish he uses. From the pictures...
- Tue Feb 18, 2020 9:37 am
- Forum: Tools and Jigs
- Topic: Glue spreader applicator
- Replies: 19
- Views: 22585
Re: Glue spreader applicator
I have a glue bottle with a rubber wheel on the end, but don't keep glue in it. If I want to use the rubber wheel to spread glue, I just squeeze the glue out from the original bottle, and use the wheel to spread it out. It needs to get cleaned after each use, or it will get all clogged up, so not gr...
- Fri Jan 17, 2020 2:43 pm
- Forum: Glues and Finishes
- Topic: KTM-9 - compatible waterbased substitute?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 11308
Re: KTM-9 - compatible waterbased substitute?
What's the shelf life of something like KTM9 or Emtech 6000? I have cans of each that are several years old. If they are no good for instruments now, I will just use them for sealing molds or something. Don't want to get involved with having to strip uncured finish of a guitar I put a lot of time in...
- Mon Nov 04, 2019 4:07 pm
- Forum: Tools and Jigs
- Topic: Source and Band Saw Blade recommendations
- Replies: 10
- Views: 9643
Re: Source and Band Saw Blade recommendations
I bought a Lenox carbide tooth blade after I had a problem with my old blade. I spoke to a guy who resaws wood for a living, and he told me about the Lenox carbide. Yes, it was expensive, but the cut is as smooth as glass, and it will last a very long time.
- Thu Oct 17, 2019 9:08 pm
- Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
- Topic: Completed walnut topped electric
- Replies: 5
- Views: 8149
Re: Completed walnut topped electric
Thanks David. Yes, there are a lot of little details. The dark walnut and the gloss finish makes it very difficult to photograph. The pictures don't do this guitar justice. Oddly, people just love the blue one I finished a week or two before this one. I think they like the color and the curly maple....
- Thu Oct 17, 2019 8:19 am
- Forum: Electronics
- Topic: What makes a pickup hot?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 12625
Re: What makes a pickup hot?
Thanks everyone for your responses. Clearly another area in which I have a lot to learn. It's bad enough we really don't know how a guitar works, and what the magic formula is to produce great "tone," however we may define that, but now I have to be puzzled about pickups and electronics (a...
- Mon Oct 14, 2019 9:30 pm
- Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
- Topic: Completed walnut topped electric
- Replies: 5
- Views: 8149
Re: Completed walnut topped electric
I like the way they sound. This is my first electric, so I don't really have anything to compare them to. Barlow Guitars from Long Island, uses them, and he says all his customers, from jazz players to metal heads really like them. Ezy is great to work with. They answer all your questions, and help ...
- Sat Oct 12, 2019 9:18 pm
- Forum: Electronics
- Topic: What makes a pickup hot?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 12625
What makes a pickup hot?
So, I see lots of pickups that say they are hot, or high output or great for metal, or whatever. Some have lower impedence (ohms) and some have higher. What is it that makes a pickup hotter? I am assuming what they mean is that the pickup is more sensitive to the movement of the strings, and puts ou...
- Thu Oct 10, 2019 8:32 am
- Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
- Topic: Buying parts in advance
- Replies: 3
- Views: 7287
Re: Buying parts in advance
Bob, that seems to be the way to go - a "best practices" approach. I have heard from several luthiers that StewMac and LMII totally stand behind their stuff, which is fantastic. I usually don't just buy stuff on a whim, but because I know I will need it and use it for a project I have in m...
- Wed Oct 09, 2019 9:11 pm
- Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
- Topic: Buying parts in advance
- Replies: 3
- Views: 7287
Buying parts in advance
Looking for advice on what you folks do about buying parts and supplies in advance. I often see parts (tuning machines, bridges, stop tails, etc.) that I see at a good sale price, and just hang onto them for future projects. So, what happens if a year or two or more, you go to use that part, and you...
- Mon Oct 07, 2019 5:53 am
- Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
- Topic: Completed walnut topped electric
- Replies: 5
- Views: 8149
Completed walnut topped electric
Top: Hand carved exhibition grade figured Claro walnut Body: Chambered African ribbon stripe mahogany with gold mother of purl purfling and curly maple binding Neck: Master grade curly western big leaf maple, with two carbon fiber reinforcement bars, and two-way truss rod Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewo...
- Wed Oct 02, 2019 12:29 pm
- Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
- Topic: Electric bouzouki
- Replies: 15
- Views: 12688
Re: Electric bouzouki
I would love to see that too. Do you remember his name, or location? The Greek bouzouki community is pretty tight.
- Wed Oct 02, 2019 11:10 am
- Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
- Topic: First Electric Guitar
- Replies: 8
- Views: 9314
Re: First Electric Guitar
I know exactly what you mean Mark. When I finish an instrument, I just shake my head, and think, how can anybody expect to make a living doing this? It takes so much time, and things don't always go as planned, and the cost of materials is high. You start to understand why companies do what they do....
- Tue Oct 01, 2019 11:22 am
- Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
- Topic: First Electric Guitar
- Replies: 8
- Views: 9314
Re: First Electric Guitar
You are right about the time and effort. I just do this as a hobby, so it might be a few hours after work during the week, but most of the work is done Saturday, Sunday and any days off I might have. I started these in November 2017!