Search found 8 matches

by Carl Kaufmann
Thu Feb 18, 2021 4:36 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Small bodied classical guitars
Replies: 3
Views: 5469

Small bodied classical guitars

Elderly injured fretted-instrument fellow looking for help in finding designs, and plans if possible, for classical guitars with small bodies, along the lines of some dating from the 19th Century. Please relay any thoughts you have on sources, selections to fill this special need. . This request is ...
by Carl Kaufmann
Wed Dec 02, 2020 11:48 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Spanish style building repair?
Replies: 8
Views: 10299

Re: Spanish style building repair?

Looking for help in replacing the top of a classical guitar. It is 22 years old, and its Western Red Cedar top is collapsing. It has developed waves and a deep hollow in front of the bridge-- clear signs that the builder (that would be me) made the top too thin and did not brace it strongly enough. ...
by Carl Kaufmann
Wed Apr 08, 2020 7:11 pm
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Shellac as sealer under nitro
Replies: 4
Views: 6115

Shellac as sealer under nitro

How about using clear shellac as sealer on bare rosewood body and spruce top, to be over coated with nitrocellulose? This would be the real stuff, plain shellac flakes freshly dissolved in alcohol, not denatured, no additives. Have some vinyl sealer on hand but it is old and way past its sell date. ...
by Carl Kaufmann
Tue Jul 24, 2018 6:23 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Fingerboard removal
Replies: 12
Views: 14874

Re: Fingerboard removal

No, the neck joint has not failed. (Unfortunately) It is rock solid ... The problem is Builder' Error, plain and simple. This careless fool did not fit the neck at the corrective angle to the heel, so from Day One, the strings have naturally been at the wrong height at fret #12. Trying to force the ...
by Carl Kaufmann
Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:52 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Fingerboard removal
Replies: 12
Views: 14874

Re: Fingerboard removal

Thanks for confirming that heat will do the job-- but I am still concerned: How much heat is too much?? I have some ¾" aluminum plate stock that can be cut to fingerboard shape and heated to any desired temperature. That would make a great heat source. If it lifts the frets, no problem? I can p...
by Carl Kaufmann
Sun Jul 22, 2018 4:18 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Fingerboard removal
Replies: 12
Views: 14874

Fingerboard removal

Suggestions welcome on removing a bound, ebony fingerboard from a mahogany neck on a six-string acoustic guitar, without destroying the fingerboard. This is a blue guitar I built for a friend, and it needs a change in neck angle. Cannot correct with the adjustable truss rod. Neck is mortice-and-teno...
by Carl Kaufmann
Mon Jul 02, 2012 11:49 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: William Cumpiano Interview
Replies: 24
Views: 88715

Re: William Cumpiano Interview

Charlie, I believe Cumpiano and Natelson could easily get their book into digital form? I just had this done on a book-length typewritten manuscript. It can be done relatively inexpensively and, once done, the book can be edited/rewritten/manipulated as easily as any computer-generated document.
by Carl Kaufmann
Mon Jul 02, 2012 11:39 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Ovation top repairs
Replies: 4
Views: 5789

Ovation top repairs

Seeking info to repair finish on an Ovation with a cracked top. Am told Ovation uses cataylzed polyester finish on its tops. May be able to just glue the crack. May have to fit a spline. Don't know yet. But after it is fixed, what would you recommend for touchup/refinish of the top? (And yes, us new...

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