Search found 180 matches

by John Clifford
Wed Aug 28, 2019 11:50 am
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: StratoJag
Replies: 9
Views: 9646

Re: StratoJag

Thanks Jim. Yes, I'm aware of the issue you describe, but that's not what's happening with mine. I'm using the vibrato sold by StewMac, and it has plenty of clearance above the screw heads. The only thing I can think of is that the string holes in the tailpiece are so large that only the ball itself...
by John Clifford
Wed Aug 28, 2019 12:58 am
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: KMG binding router 'clone'??
Replies: 11
Views: 11704

Re: KMG binding router 'clone'??

I have a simple method for routing archtop bindings. I do it on my router table. The guitar is supported by 3 spool clamps made from 3/4" plywood placed in a triangle around the edge. I made a sleeve from the same 3/4" plywood that fits over the bearing-guided router bit, so the guitar edg...
by John Clifford
Wed Aug 28, 2019 12:42 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Cracked poly finish
Replies: 8
Views: 8570

Cracked poly finish

I recently acquired a Parker Fly with a crack in the finish that's been there for several years. I think they used some kind of poly finish. It's more plasticy than lacquer. I'm not worried about how it looks now, but the edges of the finish seem to be getting a little loose and starting to peel bac...
by John Clifford
Wed Aug 28, 2019 12:11 am
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Actual effect of volume/tone pots on acoustic tone
Replies: 6
Views: 9102

Re: Actual effect of volume/tone pots on acoustic tone

I haven't done this to an acoustic archtop, so I can't speak from experience. But I would worry more about vibrations from the pots and wiring connected to the top than about the small 3/8" holes and minimal added mass. In theory you could connect everything tightly enough to prevent vibration,...
by John Clifford
Tue Aug 27, 2019 11:47 am
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: StratoJag
Replies: 9
Views: 9646

Re: StratoJag

Bob Gramann wrote:Talk to D’Addario. I expect that they will be interested.
That wouldn’t be my expectation, but maybe I’ll try it.
by John Clifford
Mon Aug 26, 2019 11:02 pm
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: StratoJag
Replies: 9
Views: 9646

StratoJag

I wanted a jangly, surfy guitar kinda like a Jaguar, but I wanted it to have a broader tonal palette, kinda like a Stratocaster. So I made this one. The body is actually my own design, but it resembles a Jaguar with Stratocaster noiseless pickups and a 6-way selector toggle. It sounds exactly like w...
by John Clifford
Tue Aug 13, 2019 8:11 pm
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: Is guitar building like crack or nicotine?
Replies: 18
Views: 23129

Re: Is guitar building like crack or nicotine?

Barry, that's good advice and I've followed it to an extent. I've given away several and sold a couple. Part of the problem for me is that very few people are interested in the kind of instruments I want to make (acoustic archtops). I'm not complaining, it's my choice and that's just how it is. But ...
by John Clifford
Tue Aug 13, 2019 1:42 pm
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: Is guitar building like crack or nicotine?
Replies: 18
Views: 23129

Re: Is guitar building like crack or nicotine?

Not for me. I ran out of room to store them so I stopped building them. I am building, very slowly, a PJ bass for a friend of mine but I don't think that counts. Of course it counts. But this is a serious problem for the hobby builder. Not only space, but motivation. The joy of discovery starts to ...
by John Clifford
Fri Aug 09, 2019 11:12 pm
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Steinberger gearless tuners
Replies: 4
Views: 5839

Steinberger gearless tuners

Has anyone here used these on a guitar with a regular peghead? I'm interested in trying them on my next solid-body electric, but they're kinda pricey and I'm wondering how well they really work. https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Tuning_Machines/Solid_Peghead_Guitar_Tuning_Machines/Steinberg...
by John Clifford
Sun Aug 04, 2019 2:00 pm
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: cutaway at neck body join
Replies: 12
Views: 12470

Re: cutaway at neck body join

Brian, you're making me wonder about the wisdom of struggling with dovetail joints. If I ever make a perfect one, then maybe I can abandon the practice.
by John Clifford
Sun Aug 04, 2019 1:53 pm
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Level, crown & polish frets before gluing the neck?
Replies: 9
Views: 6899

Re: Level, crown & polish frets before gluing the neck?

Some things to consider: Some people believe in leveling frets with the neck under tension to simulate the actual balance between string pull and truss rod. In that case, obviously you'd have to do it after the neck is on. On the other hand, it's much easier and safer to work on the upper frets with...
by John Clifford
Wed Jul 31, 2019 11:41 am
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: cutaway at neck body join
Replies: 12
Views: 12470

Re: cutaway at neck body join

Oops, I meant the neck extension, not the fretboard or fingerboard or whatever that thing is called. I haven’t had my coffee yet this morning!
by John Clifford
Wed Jul 31, 2019 11:35 am
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: cutaway at neck body join
Replies: 12
Views: 12470

Re: cutaway at neck body join

Yeah, my neck blocks have a 90 degree angle, and I resolve it the same way, by slightly tapering the fingerboard extension to where it meets the top. A tiny bit of extra room for your hand in the cutaway area is not, in my opinion, a bad thing.
by John Clifford
Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:14 pm
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: arch top how to align neck,neck block and end block
Replies: 3
Views: 6494

Re: arch top how to align neck,neck block and end block

In addition to what Brian said, it will help a LOT to make sure that your neck block and the area of the sides that overlap it are perfectly flat and perpendicular to your center line in the area that will be covered by the neck joint. You have to pay attention to this beginning with your body mold,...
by John Clifford
Sun Jul 28, 2019 12:40 am
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Archtop Tenor Uke
Replies: 7
Views: 8376

Re: Archtop Tenor Uke

Thanks folks. Rick, I actually didn't use any bracing in this one. I thought the arch would be sufficient for structural support, and I seem to have been correct. Of course, it's hard to say how that choice affected the sound. I've built three other archtop tenor ukes, and put parallel (or V) braces...
by John Clifford
Tue Jul 23, 2019 11:14 am
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: The shiniest finish for classical guitar back/sides
Replies: 11
Views: 9445

Re: The shiniest finish for classical guitar back/sides

Purists, and even not-so-purists, might have a problem with a poly finish on a classical guitar.
by John Clifford
Thu Jul 18, 2019 1:42 pm
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Archtop Tenor Uke
Replies: 7
Views: 8376

Re: Archtop Tenor Uke

Thanks. Brian, I think it has a nice, rounded woody sort of sound with the nylon strings. The highs are a little muted compared to a standard ukulele, as you'd expect. It sounds better plucked than strummed. Yes, it has a high G string. I might change that later. No neck reinforcement or bracing on ...
by John Clifford
Wed Jul 17, 2019 10:03 pm
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Archtop Tenor Uke
Replies: 7
Views: 8376

Archtop Tenor Uke

This one has been taking up space in my shop for ages, and I finally finished it today. This arguably belongs in "other stringed instruments," but it's really just a little 4-string archtop guitar, so I'm posting it here. Top is sitka spruce Back & sides are quilted maple Ebony fretboa...

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