MIMF

Lovely work, mate.

Looks fantastic

Hey Al,

You're a gem. Thanks for sharing this

That is beautiful!

On a side note, hope Mark is doing well.

Thanks for the feedback!

I've been working off a Blum Benchhorse for a few years now, and find it about perfect for me. It's just about waist height.

Hey everyone, I finally got a used jointer! I'm planning on finally making a decent workbench. I'm planning to make a 72"x 18"x34" Roubo with hard rock maple. From an instrument maker's standpoint, is there anything that I should be aware of? Currently, I plan to just have a leg vise, and use auxill...

Are you talking Nomex? I think the Gore and Gilet book is the way to go.

I know I'm late to the party, but how about "Catastratphe?"

First thoughts....you sure that wasn't a $100,000 PRS custom shop?

Nicely done.

That's some gorgeous work!

I wasn't expecting something like Studley's chest.

Also, I'm probably going to build a neck pocket ala Stewart Travel guitar.

Dear MIMF, With a possible California shutdown in October, I might build my first electric guitar. For many years, I've been lusting after a Telecaster with the ergonomics of a Strat. If it can fit in a laptop bag, even better. I'd like to run some ideas past everyone, and have a better idea of what...

I just wanted to thank everyone on this thread. It's been years since I've considered building a guitar, but the recent shutdowns have made me dust off the idea. I may laminate a nice figured Port Orford cedar body, print out some plans (Thanks, Jamie!), and figure out some hardware. Will probably p...

The Ko'Aloha is significantly louder. Some ukulele affectionados describe it as "brash," "open," "loud." https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/showthread.php?10892-Kamaka-vs-KoAloha I hypothesize that most ukuleles are significantly overbuilt, since the string tension is significantly less than anyth...

Lastly, there's the jig itself.

It's a scrap of particleboard, some threaded rod, and plexiglass.
Sometimes they'll use a heavy weight (like a jug of glue) to clamp things together.

Also note there's no taper/arching to the body.---why? to save money and labor!

Note: the neck is just a but joint.

In contrast to Kamaka's mortise and tenon, they just use giant disk sanders.
They glue a but joint to the neck...not sure if it's epoxy or titebond.

Also, there are NO LINERS. No kerfing

Note that the bracing just under the soundhole is a square. This is their "magic brace" which frankly cuts down on assembly dramatically. They make these in huge batches, and glue in about 2 minutes to top/sides. I like the idea a lot, and will likely do a version of that (but with mortise and tenon.)

Note: this is for a Tenor body.

Bracing? There is none aside from the bridge plate.
Center-seam reinforcement to avoid delamination of face (costly repairs)

In contrast, Ko'aloha is a study of how to cut corners in construction without compromising sound/playability.

FWIW, the spokesman was full of BS and had no idea about lutherie.
However, his father (the founder) was a genius in that respect.