Search found 180 matches
- 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...
- 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...
- 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...
- 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,...
- 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
That wouldn’t be my expectation, but maybe I’ll try it.Bob Gramann wrote:Talk to D’Addario. I expect that they will be interested.
- 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...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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...
- Fri Aug 09, 2019 10:36 pm
- Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
- Topic: Finally - Build Number 2 - Violette DC 254
- Replies: 9
- Views: 9818
Re: Finally - Build Number 2 - Violette DC 254
Well done! How did you do the neck joint?
- 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.
- 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...
- 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!
- 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.
- 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,...
- 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...
- 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.
- 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 ...
- 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...
- Wed Jul 17, 2019 9:54 pm
- Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
- Topic: Sharkfin. Attempt on an ergonomic bass
- Replies: 21
- Views: 25800
Re: Sharkfin. Attempt on an ergonomic bass
Cool! I really love the back