MIMF

Hi guys I'm back I think I have it solved. I tried all you're suggestions for which I am very grateful but nothing worked so just on a hunch I put a D string on it not for any special reason but just because I had one to hand tuned it to E and bingo just like magic it intonated all the way down the ...

Thanks again guys that gives me lots to be going on with. Sorry Bob I did mean Sycamore

Thanks guys,the first thing I did was replace the string so that should be OK, I am in fact using two tuners as I didn't believe the first one but it showed the same reading,it's a really strange one. by the way Bob I made a beautiful guitar from that Cypress set I got from you a few years back must...

Hi, I just got an Epi Dot into the shop which has a strange intonation problem which someone may be able to help me with. The only string with the problem is the low E, when it is tuned to pitch E it also reads E at the 12th but when pressed at the first fret it reads F# I have adjusted the bridge t...

Thanks Stephen just the info I was looking for, I can now bend with impunity

Hi all, just bought a set of Malaysian Blackwood and have never used it before. It has a very glassy tap tone and I was wondering is it differcult to bend or how it glues.Any help would be great.

Hi Charlie, I just looked at the photo essay, I have to say it should be included in any reprints of Williams book,it just reminded me so much of my first experiences with Mr Cumpiano. With the book and your essay anyone could make a first foray into guitar making with confidence, well done.John

Thanks Doug

Thanks Doug now I know there were 7 extra strings, still a ways to go. John

Hi Guys, I'm looking for any information on the "Shakti guitar" played by John McLaughlin in the 70's I think it was built or designed by Abraham Wechter when he worked for Gibson. It is a normal 6 string but has another set of strings under the main one's running diagionally. I have a req...

Hi Ciaran, I would recommend Alaska Specialty Woods, I have used them since I started and I hav'nt got a bad one yet. Brent will post them over to you no problem, you can have em curly or straight and the quality is always great. Don't go over the top on your first most people don't start with Maste...

Just one thing I will say about the Cumpiano book is that things have moved on a little since it was written. This does not take away from the value of information contained therein but Mr Cumpiano acknowledges this and if you go to his site you can see some of the changes. Most necks now are bolt-o...

Hi Ciaran, I live just down the road in Wicklow and have been building guitars for a few years now. All the advice that the guys have given you so far is spot on as always. The first thing I did when I decided to build a guitar was buy a book and what a book it was and still is as I still use it as ...

Hi Mark I'm just admiring your beautiful guitar and wondering what is the benefit of using a zero fret ?

Well Chuck,as I say maybe I'm doing something wrong but all the Guitars I've built after the first few when I was learning how to apply a sprayed finish ( water based ) have turned out great. Why would you struggle ? it's just one more part of building a Guitar that has to be mastered, it's about th...

Hi everybody, I'm just reading this tread and I'm finding it hard to understand why there is so much sanding going on. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but most of my level sanding is done before I start spraying and when my finish is cured I just wet sand with 1500 grit W/D and then buff to a high g...

Thanks Alan that is a great starting point now I can start to draw a plan. Freeman they are pretty neat guitars I love the OM this is one of my favourite shapes.

Thanks Mark, I was looking for the lazy way out

I had a feeling that was the case Mark but I like to work with drawings, I know the top and the braces are heavier and the head stock is longer but what about the neck, how much wider or stronger should it be, what about the bridge how are the holes set out, so many questions that a plan would answer.

Hi everybody, just like to ask if anyone knows where I might get a plan for a 12 string guitar. I would like to try one,maybe when you get plotting Charlie you might have one for sale.