Search found 205 matches

by JC Whitney
Thu Dec 28, 2023 4:48 pm
Forum: Wind, Percussion, and Miscellaneous and Experimental Instruments
Topic: Kalimba with uke resonator
Replies: 17
Views: 20115

Re: Kalimba with uke resonator

So… does it also follow that when the uke strings were plucked/strummed the kalimba keys would vibrate sympathetically? Ukalimba-itar?
by JC Whitney
Tue Dec 19, 2023 7:07 pm
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: RIP Frank Ford
Replies: 4
Views: 11439

Re: RIP Frank Ford

A giant indeed.
May he rest in peace.
by JC Whitney
Tue Dec 12, 2023 8:28 am
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: For a crafty friend - homemade fretless acoustic basses 85% reused material
Replies: 7
Views: 17189

Re: For a crafty friend - homemade fretless acoustic basses 85% reused material

Are they viable musical instruments, or primarily art objects? If the former, are they good enough that a professional musician would consider using one? Maybe see if you can find a way to get the word out about them at Berkeley, given your proximity to Boston? Have you considered pursuing having a ...
by JC Whitney
Fri Sep 29, 2023 8:40 am
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Nashville Telecaster
Replies: 9
Views: 16065

Re: Nashville Telecaster

Very nice! This one would have been a great candidate for the recent "What electric guitars have you built because you couldn't buy it?" thread. The shot at the nut makes me chuckle - if I hadn't read about the neck width, I'd have assumed that picture's aspect ratio was wonky/stretched ho...
by JC Whitney
Thu Sep 21, 2023 10:14 am
Forum: Ukuleles
Topic: Banjo tuners?
Replies: 3
Views: 6914

Re: Banjo tuners?

Have you considered recessing the rear of the headstock (forstner bit?) a few mm at each hole, to get wood thickness down to 13.5mm for Grovel UPTLs? I'm envisioning that the large barrel part of the UPTLs would be countersunk into the back of the headstock. Perhaps use something along the lines of ...
by JC Whitney
Thu Sep 14, 2023 1:40 pm
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Leaving a smidgeon of fingerboard to meet string span
Replies: 13
Views: 17436

Re: Leaving a smidgeon of fingerboard to meet string span

Assuming the neck is unfinished and not yet assembled, how about adding an 1/8" of matching maple stock to each side and then planing back to your desired width?
by JC Whitney
Tue Sep 12, 2023 2:34 pm
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: What electric guitars have you built because you couldn't buy it?
Replies: 39
Views: 69801

Re: What electric guitars have you built because you couldn't buy it?

Oh, and the pickup slides to and fro! It just keeps getting better and better.
(my apologies to all for sidetracking this thread)
by JC Whitney
Thu Aug 10, 2023 10:31 am
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: How do you store your plans?
Replies: 8
Views: 8687

Re: How do you store your plans?

I'm entering my fourth decade as an architect - certainly doesn't make me an expert, but I've tried to learn from my mistakes along the way. Flat files are great both in terms of the protection they offer and keeping things flat, but Barry is right on the money regarding re: their drawbacks. Tube st...
by JC Whitney
Mon Aug 07, 2023 1:32 pm
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Locking nut on an angled headstock
Replies: 11
Views: 8597

Re: Locking nut on an angled headstock

Looks like you could add truss nut access pretty easily (with apologies for hacking up your image). Perhaps use oval head countersunk bolts on the strap instead of button heads to allow a clearer tool path into the truss nut?
1.jpg
by JC Whitney
Mon Aug 07, 2023 11:23 am
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Locking nut on an angled headstock
Replies: 11
Views: 8597

Re: Locking nut on an angled headstock

Very nice - safe to say that your truss rod nut is at the bridge end of the neck?
by JC Whitney
Fri Jul 28, 2023 9:12 am
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Please educate me on headless bass bridge/tuner hardware
Replies: 6
Views: 8779

Re: Please educate me on headless bass bridge/tuner hardware

I ventured down a similar rabbit hole a few years back. That project has yet to make it to the starting line, but at the time I was really intrigued by ABM's 3901 single string combination bridge/tuners (and their cousins by other mfrs). Reviews of the ABM version seemed to be predominantly positive.
by JC Whitney
Fri Jul 21, 2023 8:00 am
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: How to repair the top of this Les Paul Standard?
Replies: 7
Views: 8088

Re: How to repair the top of this Les Paul Standard?

Perhaps one of these was the culprit
IMG_0540.jpeg
… although it seems it would have scratched up the finish. Maybe drop filled at s some point?
by JC Whitney
Thu Jul 13, 2023 4:20 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Can This Be Fixed?
Replies: 3
Views: 6853

Re: Can This Be Fixed?

Perhaps a good opportunity to try your hand at a sunburst finish (if it's out near the perimeter)?
by JC Whitney
Fri Jun 30, 2023 10:19 am
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: The Mighty WEN 9" Bandsaw!
Replies: 3
Views: 7176

Re: The Mighty WEN 9" Bandsaw!

I too am mightily small. Just finished up the last of several hundred board feet of Spanish Cedar I bought a quarter century ago (used for trim work, not instruments). I’d be leery of this if it was maple, but Spanish cedar should be ok. Just use an appropriate tpi/blade and take it slow and steady ...
by JC Whitney
Mon May 29, 2023 10:00 am
Forum: Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Custom Bass Build - 5 string fretless
Replies: 12
Views: 8621

Re: Custom Bass Build - 5 string fretless

If you go the CNC route for the body, save the belly/arm/etc contouring to do by “hand”. That way you can stick a mock-up neck in, hang it from a strap, sit on a stool, lay on the floor with it - and really dial it in to comfortably fit your own (human) body. As for the cap.. to my eyes 3/4” looks n...
by JC Whitney
Tue Feb 07, 2023 10:24 am
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Cracked Corsair smooth plane
Replies: 5
Views: 8740

Re: Cracked Corsair smooth plane

Just found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sCSUuDzrdY
It would be interesting to know if this held up over time. That page also has a link to a good brazing repair video.
by JC Whitney
Tue Feb 07, 2023 10:19 am
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Cracked Corsair smooth plane
Replies: 5
Views: 8740

Re: Cracked Corsair smooth plane

Can you post a picture of the crack? Welding cast iron that thin is indeed a real tightrope walk... preheating, post heat and slow cooldown, etc. I've seen some pretty amazing successes using JB Weld. Are the two sides of the crack sill aligned? If so, could you open the walls of the crack up on the...

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