Search found 251 matches

by Christ Kacoyannakis
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...
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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.
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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?
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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...
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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...
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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!
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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...
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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...
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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...
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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.
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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....
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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...
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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 ...
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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...
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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...
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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...
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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...
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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.
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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....
by Christ Kacoyannakis
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!

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