Search found 127 matches

by Alan Peterson
Wed Aug 21, 2019 9:15 am
Forum: Electronics
Topic: Low Impedance pickup - prototype
Replies: 20
Views: 35833

Re: Low Impedance pickup - prototype

On the topic of state variable filters, any opinion as to how this may work with the Craig Anderton "Super Tone Control", found almost anywhere on the web (as well as his books)? I'm thinking if you drop one of those into a guitar body along with two of your Lo-Z pickups, you basically hav...
by Alan Peterson
Sat Jul 20, 2019 1:19 pm
Forum: Electronics
Topic: "Vegematic" Buttons
Replies: 13
Views: 15147

Re: "Vegematic" Buttons

Wow, that's a LOT more than I was expecting. AliBaba wants me to order 10,000 of these things, but I don't expect to be making that many cheap guitars.

Thanks for the great info all. Time to get busy...
by Alan Peterson
Sat Jul 13, 2019 2:59 pm
Forum: Electronics
Topic: "Vegematic" Buttons
Replies: 13
Views: 15147

"Vegematic" Buttons

Does anyone have a legit verified source for "Vegematic" buttons, as used as pickup and tone switches on vintage EKO and Teisco guitars? I've checked the usual sources (All Electronics et al) and tried a number of descriptive terms ("interlocking button switches", "replaceme...
by Alan Peterson
Wed Jun 19, 2019 9:26 am
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: Help for Old Factory Locations
Replies: 3
Views: 5712

Help for Old Factory Locations

I've been scouring the web for information about old guitar factory locations, standing or gone -- if you've seen prior postings of mine, you know this to be something of an interest for me. Thanks to Google Maps, I've "driven down" the streets of Kalamazoo to see the old Gibson factory, W...
by Alan Peterson
Sat May 04, 2019 10:37 am
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: "vegan' glue & other alternative glues
Replies: 10
Views: 16055

Re: "vegan' glue & other alternative glues

I'm reviving this discussion to apprise everyone of a compelling article in Strings Magazine: http://stringsmagazine.com/the-search-for-the-vegan-violin/ Never mind just the glue - - violin makers also have to deal with horsehair, leather, gut, abalone shell and, once upon a time, ivory. Guitars are...
by Alan Peterson
Fri Mar 29, 2019 9:12 am
Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
Topic: Not What I'd Call a "Hardwood"
Replies: 4
Views: 7862

Re: Not What I'd Call a "Hardwood"

I looked up David's link on the ThermoWood product.
Glad to see they got the process worked out. Any time I combine thermal energy + wood, the result is charcoal. Not very helpful in guitar building, but superb for filtering homebrew.
by Alan Peterson
Thu Mar 28, 2019 4:14 pm
Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
Topic: Not What I'd Call a "Hardwood"
Replies: 4
Views: 7862

Not What I'd Call a "Hardwood"

A stroll thru the neighborhood Guitar Center revealed a fairly attractive Ibanez solid body guitar hanging from the wall, nicely priced at just under $200. In looking up the specs, I discovered the company is using "treated white pine" as a fingerboard material. PINE? Seriously? Forgive my...
by Alan Peterson
Sat Nov 03, 2018 4:58 pm
Forum: Bowed Stringed Instruments and Bows
Topic: Need help identifying this violin
Replies: 13
Views: 27008

Re: Need help identifying this violin

That alternating ropey-looking edge trim caught my eye, even if it is a cheap bit of decoration.
Any info anywhere on how to do that?
by Alan Peterson
Thu Nov 01, 2018 10:22 am
Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
Topic: Skateboard Woods
Replies: 3
Views: 6540

Skateboard Woods

The folks at the DIY skateboard supplier ROAROCKIT ( http://www.roarockit.com/ ) do a pretty good turn selling wide maple & birch veneers for boardmakers, but also take some pride in supplying to instrument makers as well. Looks to me that some of their wider veneers might be appropriate in maki...
by Alan Peterson
Sun Oct 28, 2018 12:53 pm
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Pig Guitar
Replies: 3
Views: 7977

Pig Guitar

If you want a fun Fall read, follow along with Gavin L. Wilson as he builds a novelty pig-shaped guitar for a bandmate.

http://guitarz.blogspot.com/2018/04/the ... uitar.html
by Alan Peterson
Wed Oct 24, 2018 11:50 am
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: The "____ON" Smokestack
Replies: 1
Views: 4672

Re: The "____ON" Smokestack

And just to add to the silliness ...

If you turn and "look over your shoulder", you'll see two men and a woman heading to the parking lot on a day the plant appears to be closed.

It's hard to tell, but I think they're making off with the plans for the Standard Eagle Classic. :D
by Alan Peterson
Wed Sep 12, 2018 8:29 am
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: The "____ON" Smokestack
Replies: 1
Views: 4672

The "____ON" Smokestack

Work continues on the restoration of the historic "Gibson Smokestack" at the old factory on Parson's Street in Kalamazoo (presently home to Heritage). I dont know how long it will still be up there, but if you enter 42.300989, -85.580580 into Google Maps and switch to Street View, you'll g...
by Alan Peterson
Sat Sep 01, 2018 10:27 pm
Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
Topic: What is "Advanced Spruce"?
Replies: 2
Views: 5598

What is "Advanced Spruce"?

I saw that in a description of a violin top while perusing ultra-cheap violins on Aliexpress.com, just for giggles.

I never heard of the stuff, and Mr Google isn't much help. Anyone know?
by Alan Peterson
Thu Feb 08, 2018 10:42 am
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: "Relic-ing" a Finish: Opinion Only
Replies: 8
Views: 10570

"Relic-ing" a Finish: Opinion Only

In poking around the web, I'm seeing a lot more finished guitars than I did before that are being called "Relic'ed". Some are believable, some are just over the top. Call it opinion only, but when badly done and most of the finish is missing, all I can think of is, "Man, what kind of ...
by Alan Peterson
Thu Jul 20, 2017 11:25 pm
Forum: Electronics
Topic: Fender Acoustasonic 90 repair
Replies: 2
Views: 6071

Re: Fender Acoustasonic 90 repair

I don't have a schematic either, but I might suspect either no power going to the preamp circuit board associated with the front panel controls; or perhaps a onetime overvolt condition to that board which baked the op amps.
Time for the meter.
by Alan Peterson
Tue Jun 13, 2017 10:22 am
Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
Topic: Who is the best supplier of exotic woods I. The US?
Replies: 15
Views: 19241

Re: Who is the best supplier of exotic woods I. The US?

Anyone know if coconut lumber is available in the U.S.?
Just askin'...
by Alan Peterson
Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:12 pm
Forum: Electronics
Topic: Split he neck w pre
Replies: 1
Views: 4888

Re: Split he neck w pre

A less complicated solution might be to use a switch that brings in a resistor when in dual-coil mode. This way, the combined output will be reduced to match the single-coil level, and the difference is made up for at the amplifier.
by Alan Peterson
Tue Aug 30, 2016 5:08 pm
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: ONE OF LIFE'S GREAT IRONIES
Replies: 0
Views: 6367

ONE OF LIFE'S GREAT IRONIES

There is a Les Paul Middle School in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
It does not have a guitar program.

http://www.lespaulmiddleschool.com/
by Alan Peterson
Thu Aug 25, 2016 10:28 pm
Forum: Bowed Stringed Instruments and Bows
Topic: Wood Used on Crappy Violin
Replies: 12
Views: 19933

Wood Used on Crappy Violin

Okay, so Jet.com and Amazon are selling the GoPlus "Durable" violin for, basically, lunch money. I'm not buying one, but am curious about this line from the product description: "The head, back and sides of violin are made from Composite Wood". Where I come from, that means MDF o...
by Alan Peterson
Wed Aug 10, 2016 1:30 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Harmony-Silvertone Woods Question
Replies: 3
Views: 4990

Re: Harmony-Silvertone Woods Question

Barry Daniels wrote:Where do you get "instrument grade birch ply"?
Its the same as "marine grade", just prettier. :D

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