Search found 42 matches

by John LaTorre
Thu Jun 02, 2022 1:53 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: short-scale acoustic bass plans.
Replies: 1
Views: 1593

Re: short-scale acoustic bass plans.

I got a kit on sale from BargainMusicians, since the price of the kit equalled what I would have paid for the neck alone, so I basically got the body and electronics for free. The assembly instructions were pretty bad, since they applied to all the kits they sold. They did send me, via email, a pict...
by John LaTorre
Thu Jun 02, 2022 1:44 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: cloth tape side reinforcement
Replies: 9
Views: 3611

Re: cloth tape side reinforcement

When I did my experiment I made up 'coupons'; slices of wood from broken sides that were about 1-1/2" along the grain and 4" or so across it, and around 2 mm thick; normal side thickness. Thanks for the write-up, Alan. Your methodology seems sound to me. But what were the results of the t...
by John LaTorre
Fri May 06, 2022 1:31 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: cloth tape side reinforcement
Replies: 9
Views: 3611

Re: cloth tape side reinforcement

I agree that linen soaked in hide glue would probably be the best solution. But I'm going to use the insignia cloth on a test piece, just to see.
by John LaTorre
Fri May 06, 2022 1:27 pm
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Tru-Oil Substitute for Necks
Replies: 12
Views: 9559

Re: Tru-Oil Substitute for Necks

Thanks, all.

I found an unopened bottle in the back of my supply cabinet. I've tested it and it seems to work well, so I think I'm set for the next three or four necks.
by John LaTorre
Tue May 03, 2022 8:33 pm
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Tru-Oil Substitute for Necks
Replies: 12
Views: 9559

Re: Tru-Oil Substitute for Necks

Barry Daniels wrote: Tue May 03, 2022 6:32 pm Amazon carries it. However, if you existing stock hasn't dried out, it should work fine.
I'm not sure Amazon would ship it to a California address, but it's worth asking. The "sell by" date on my unopened bottle is 2021, so it will probably do.
by John LaTorre
Tue May 03, 2022 6:05 pm
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Tru-Oil Substitute for Necks
Replies: 12
Views: 9559

Tru-Oil Substitute for Necks

I've always used Tru-Oil for finishing the necks of my guitars and mandolins because they get so much more contact with skin and perspiration, etc. Now that Tru-Oil is increasingly difficult to get here in California (LMII no longer carries it, and most of the gun stores can't get fresh stuff anymor...
by John LaTorre
Fri Apr 29, 2022 3:46 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: cloth tape side reinforcement
Replies: 9
Views: 3611

Re: cloth tape side reinforcement

On my next build, I might try what sailmakers call "insignia cloth" which is a thin polyester cloth with an adhesive back. It's used for cutting out the letters and logos on sailboat sails, and it sticks to just about anything and is hell to take off. I happen to have some left over from m...
by John LaTorre
Sat Apr 16, 2022 4:59 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: short-scale acoustic bass plans.
Replies: 1
Views: 1593

short-scale acoustic bass plans.

I have it in my head to build a short-scale (30") electric bass guitar using a hollow-body or partial-hollow body, somewhat on the lines of the Hofner bass, although the violin cutouts don't seem to be necessary. It would have the usual four strings. Can anybody steer me to plans for this or to...
by John LaTorre
Fri Jan 11, 2019 5:19 pm
Forum: Bowed Stringed Instruments and Bows
Topic: Trapezoid cello
Replies: 0
Views: 10421

Trapezoid cello

Hi, all, I recently came across a book called Making a simple violin and viola by Ronald Roberts. He'd built several violins and violas with trapezoidal soundboxes, based on some experimental work done by Savart about a century ago. He claims that the sounds are comparable to the conventional violin...
by John LaTorre
Fri Jan 11, 2019 4:34 pm
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: Instructions for using a chisel
Replies: 20
Views: 31665

Re: Instructions for using a chisel

I met a guy in the tonewood business on monday who had part of the tip of his left index finger missing thanks to a bandsaw. He has some nice guitars but can't really play them any more. That didn't stop Django Reinhart. Over the years, I've done horrible things to my right hand (I'm left-handed). ...
by John LaTorre
Sun Oct 22, 2017 11:44 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: D'Addario string gauge mixup
Replies: 6
Views: 9860

Re: D'Addario string gauge mixup

Clay Schaeffer wrote:D'Addario posted a guide on line for telling counterfeit strings from authentic.

http://www.daddario.com/upload/DABR_...wRes_12587.pdf
That's the first place I went. Ball ends were the right shape, wrapping looked good, so I assumed that the strings were the genuine article.
by John LaTorre
Sat Oct 21, 2017 9:58 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: D'Addario string gauge mixup
Replies: 6
Views: 9860

D'Addario string gauge mixup

Hi, all: While stringing up a new build with D'Addario EJ16 strings, I happened to notice that the color-coded ball ends on the two upper strings were switched ... the first string's was purple, and the second string's was silver. I caught the error right away, but got to wondering if anybody else h...
by John LaTorre
Sat Oct 21, 2017 9:47 pm
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Fretboard oil
Replies: 9
Views: 11672

Re: Fretboard oil

Just to expand on my comment, linseed oil is a drying oil - similar to a varnish. The difference is that "boiled" linseed oil is partially oxidized, so it dries and cures really fast. Raw takes several days, sometimes more than a week to dry, and longer than that to fully cure. Old time w...
by John LaTorre
Sat Oct 21, 2017 9:43 pm
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: Instructions for using a chisel
Replies: 20
Views: 31665

Re: Instructions for using a chisel

Chisels should be very sharp on one end only. That end should not be pointed at body parts. I have 4 stitches in my left hand as reminder of that simple rule. Remember to keep the sharp side directed away from the parts you want to keep. -Jim I second that, having put a nice gash in my off-hand ind...
by John LaTorre
Mon Jun 15, 2015 1:40 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Optimum thickness for red cedar soundboard?
Replies: 21
Views: 24732

Re: Optimum thickness for red cedar soundboard?

Alan Carruth wrote: All I can do is tell you how I do it, and that may not be your cuppa.
Good enough for me.
by John LaTorre
Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:11 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Optimum thickness for red cedar soundboard?
Replies: 21
Views: 24732

Re: Optimum thickness for red cedar soundboard?

Thanks for your response, Alan. I'm going to go for 2.8. If it ends up thinner than that by a wee bit, I can always make the braces a little taller. In fact, that might be the way to go, since I can always modify the bracing when the strings are off at string changes, reducing their height if the bo...
by John LaTorre
Tue Jun 09, 2015 4:09 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Optimum thickness for red cedar soundboard?
Replies: 21
Views: 24732

Re: Optimum thickness for red cedar soundboard?

Thanks for your responses. The scale length is 24.9", and it's going to be a finger-picking guitar. I'll be putting either lights or extra-lights on it. As for the feel, I'm really not skilled enough to give an opinion, but it seems a little stiffer in flex than the spruce tops I've used before...
by John LaTorre
Tue Jun 09, 2015 12:25 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Optimum thickness for red cedar soundboard?
Replies: 21
Views: 24732

Optimum thickness for red cedar soundboard?

I'm building a 000 12-fret with a western red cedar top. It's currently just a shade over 3mm thick. I've gotten two conflicting opinions from luthiers about what the optimum thickness should be: one says 3.5 mm and the other says 2.5 mm. What has your experience been with this material?
by John LaTorre
Thu Jun 04, 2015 2:46 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Best place to locate a battery box?
Replies: 1
Views: 2906

Best place to locate a battery box?

I'm building an acoustic guitar in which I'm installing an active microphone system (a Baggs Lyric). The unit came with one of those little nylon battery bags you're supposed to attach to the inside of the guitar with Velcro. Instead of using that, I'm going to build a battery case into the body. (I...
by John LaTorre
Wed Apr 15, 2015 7:23 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: My new favorite tool - the Scraper!
Replies: 22
Views: 17736

Re: My new favorite tool - the Scraper!

This is a tool I've come to use all the time: http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Types_of_Tools/Scrapers/Scraper_Burnisher.html t's really a "last step" tool for setting the hook. Most of the real work in sharpening scrapers, like sharpening plane blades, is truing up the surfaces. The f...

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