Search found 235 matches

by Mike Conner
Thu Oct 26, 2023 7:44 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Paper for label?
Replies: 7
Views: 14506

Re: Paper for label?

Ivory linen type acid free paper, printed in a laser printer and signed with fine sharpie. I spray the back with 3M contact adhesive. Lower carefully through the sound hole with curved tweezers. Flat tops get a single oval label. The archtops have a numbered label inside one f-hole, and Psalm 108 qu...
by Mike Conner
Fri May 05, 2023 7:01 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Bending Basswood for Laminated Sides
Replies: 9
Views: 2738

Re: Bending Basswood for Laminated Sides

Eric, I bend on a hot pipe, so my methodology may not directly translate.... I have been using Supersoft 2 for all my bending, these days Walnut and Curly Maple. The Curly Maple would facet, even with using distilled water, and it scorches if bent dry. I apply the SuperSoft 2 the evening before, app...
by Mike Conner
Wed Feb 15, 2023 9:10 pm
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Problems with EnduroVar II, Time to Change
Replies: 5
Views: 6663

Re: Problems with EnduroVar II, Time to Change

Thank you Marshall and Barry for the details! I had read your prior posts regarding the finishes and sanding and plan on apply all the recommendations you have so generously provided. Methods usually evolve with experience both positive and negative, so it really helps to have the details of your pr...
by Mike Conner
Tue Feb 14, 2023 8:16 pm
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Problems with EnduroVar II, Time to Change
Replies: 5
Views: 6663

Re: Problems with EnduroVar II, Time to Change

Just took the most recent build out of the case, where it has rested now for several weeks, to check the setup etc. for delivery tomorrow. The EnduroVar II finish still has an odor! Likely resting in the case contributed to retaining the lingering 'fragrance'. It's not unpleasant, but it is noticeab...
by Mike Conner
Sun Feb 05, 2023 3:34 pm
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Problems with EnduroVar II, Time to Change
Replies: 5
Views: 6663

Problems with EnduroVar II, Time to Change

Recently completed two flattop guitar builds using EnduroVar II. I had really good results with the original EnduroVar formulation for prior builds (archtops, Flattops and a Dobro). Unfortunately the original was discontinued and replaced with a "refomulated" EnduroVar II. Really not satis...
by Mike Conner
Sat Jan 07, 2023 7:25 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Making top for a hammered Dulcimer
Replies: 4
Views: 5513

Re: Making top for a hammered Dulcimer

Since you have a table saw, and assuming you also have a dado blade set for it: - Use the dado set to mill off the 1/8 or so you are removing in series of passes, leaving strips or ridges at the original height. This gives you a really good target for handplaning the ridges down to the thickess targ...
by Mike Conner
Tue Oct 04, 2022 8:14 pm
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Alternative to X/Parallel bracing
Replies: 10
Views: 11275

Re: Alternative to X/Parallel bracing

Here's a photo showing the X bracing I used, and also the pickup sensor placement. The sensors are JJB. The notes and signatures are from George's family and friends. 20150112_182725.jpg Here's how the carved braces end up. Also, the braces end well in from the edges, and these areas of the top plat...
by Mike Conner
Tue Oct 04, 2022 11:32 am
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Alternative to X/Parallel bracing
Replies: 10
Views: 11275

Re: Alternative to X/Parallel bracing

oops! I guessed I missed that Fernando was asking about archtops. On my archtop builds I use X bracing, crossing ahead of the bridge line. Carving of the braces can help adjust the stiffness. Documented in my Archtop Journal posts.
by Mike Conner
Mon Oct 03, 2022 7:51 pm
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Alternative to X/Parallel bracing
Replies: 10
Views: 11275

Re: Alternative to X/Parallel bracing

I'm building dreadnoughts (3 complete and one closing the box) using "V" bracing inspired by the Taylor offering. They sound fantastic. Just some partial photos of the Taylor version online, and of course no drawings. Created my own version with pen, paper and informed guesswork. The front...
by Mike Conner
Thu Jul 07, 2022 3:48 pm
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Wood binding glue
Replies: 11
Views: 9610

Re: Wood binding glue

Alan: Brand and source for the fish glue. I'd like to give that a try... I got this a couple of years ago. I've used it for binding, and gluing on tops, backs and other things when I wanted or thought I might need a longer set time. No failures yet, but it hasn't been long. Apparently not very resi...
by Mike Conner
Thu Jul 07, 2022 8:02 am
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Wood binding glue
Replies: 11
Views: 9610

Re: Wood binding glue

I use Super Soft with all the wood bindings, and on back or side plates if they curl or cup after resawing or thickness sanding. With bindings, I wet them down with Super Soft using a foam brush the day before I am going to bend them, then they "soak" overnight in a "sandwich" st...
by Mike Conner
Wed Jul 06, 2022 4:12 pm
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Wood binding glue
Replies: 11
Views: 9610

Re: Wood binding glue

Alan: Brand and source for the fish glue. I'd like to give that a try...
by Mike Conner
Wed Jul 06, 2022 7:48 am
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Wood binding glue
Replies: 11
Views: 9610

Re: Wood binding glue

I've only used shop-made wood bindings, walnut or curly maple. Regular Titebond for me. I have made some curly maple bindings with a 0.050" thick walnut purfling for binding on curly maple bodies. I use Titebond 3 for joining purfling to the binding. I try to bring out the curly figure and seal...
by Mike Conner
Thu Jun 30, 2022 7:54 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Bending some Mahogany questions
Replies: 17
Views: 5732

Re: Bending some Mahogany questions

Does SuperSoft 2 help with mahogany? Been really great with curly red maple.
by Mike Conner
Wed Jun 08, 2022 9:35 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Moving the whole nut for better intonation ?
Replies: 7
Views: 2998

Re: Moving the whole nut for better intonation ?

In my builds I locate the nut 0.013" 'forward' (towards the 1st fret). I do the standard calculations for fret positions, then reduce the nut to 1st fret distance by 0.013". The fretboard still is located so that the 14th fret is at the neck/body joint. Some acoustic setups have achieved i...
by Mike Conner
Fri Jan 07, 2022 7:27 pm
Forum: Detailed Builds/Tutorials
Topic: Squareneck Resonator - Detailed Build Notes
Replies: 62
Views: 89539

Re: Squareneck Resonator - Detailed Build Notes

Thanks, Bob! It was a humbling experience.
It's also great to see how content on MIMF lives on and helps folks far beyond the initial dialog. I know I have used the forum as a reference many many times.
by Mike Conner
Wed Dec 22, 2021 8:32 am
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: Reached a crossroad, opinions welcome
Replies: 11
Views: 11320

Re: Reached a crossroad, opinions welcome

Jeff, I have built 10 instruments as a hobby. I do have the advantage that I play them, so they can be more than wall art. I have the same feeling about selling them - I am not at the pro level that would justify promoting and selling my work, and that was never my goal or motivation. Some of the in...
by Mike Conner
Sat Dec 18, 2021 9:49 am
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Thinking of making an archtop - how can I best use this wood?
Replies: 19
Views: 22179

Re: Thinking of making an archtop - how can I best use this wood?

Oh, and I start with 0.75" thick plates for the front and back arches, so you would be resawing and surfacing down to that before jointing, etc.
by Mike Conner
Sat Dec 18, 2021 7:35 am
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Thinking of making an archtop - how can I best use this wood?
Replies: 19
Views: 22179

Re: Thinking of making an archtop - how can I best use this wood?

One alternative not mentioned here (so far) is to relocate offcuts from the waist area to fill out the width of the lower bout. I have done this very successfully on my builds. The archtops and dreadnought size I have built are 16" wide at the lower bout. I have used some curly maple and walnut...
by Mike Conner
Wed Oct 13, 2021 6:26 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Bending Progress
Replies: 8
Views: 4636

Re: Bending Progress

Really nice work, Eric. Cool that you went for "character" using the repurposed WRC rather than regular old spruce, and the rosette looks complimentary to the front plate.

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