Search found 153 matches

by Ron Belanger
Wed May 30, 2012 4:45 am
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: Aloha Doc...
Replies: 2
Views: 3833

Re: Aloha Doc...

Goodbye Doc. You will be missed.
by Ron Belanger
Tue May 29, 2012 3:36 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Acoustic guitar pickup
Replies: 6
Views: 21128

Re: Acoustic guitar pickup

My vote goes to K & K. I think they are the best bang for the buck.
by Ron Belanger
Mon May 28, 2012 8:35 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: New Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin
Replies: 23
Views: 22285

Re: New Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin

Peter, No bother I have slotted the saddle in the past but this one seems ok without. The pins I am using now come from Gurian and the head is a bit smaller than I've used in the past, where I've had to file the side of the pin for string clearance. The compensation is what is recommended by MacDona...
by Ron Belanger
Mon May 28, 2012 11:48 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Wenge?
Replies: 24
Views: 14755

Re: Wenge?

What Clay said.
by Ron Belanger
Mon May 28, 2012 8:49 am
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: New Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin
Replies: 23
Views: 22285

Re: New Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin

If I remember right the string spacing is (low to high) 4 mm, 3.5 mm, 2.5 mm and 2.5 mm. the spacing between the pairs is (low to high) 10 mm, 9.5 mm and 9 mm.
by Ron Belanger
Mon May 28, 2012 8:46 am
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: New Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin
Replies: 23
Views: 22285

Re: New Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin

Hi Peter,
Here is the photo of the bridge. I highly recomend Graham MacDonald's "The Bouzouki Book" if you are planning this style of instrument.
by Ron Belanger
Sun May 27, 2012 10:28 am
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: New Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin
Replies: 23
Views: 22285

Re: New Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin

Mark, Sorry I missed that question earlier. I tune it an octave lower than a mandolin GDAE. A lot of celtic players use GDAD similar to DADGAD and some use ADAD or GDGD which would give an open D or G without the 3rd. What other tunings are you familiar with. also if you are interested my string gau...
by Ron Belanger
Sun May 27, 2012 10:18 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Wenge?
Replies: 24
Views: 14755

Re: Wenge?

With the Wenge I used a fox bender, used damp paper on both sides and bent starting at 250 degrees F and increased the temperature to a little over 325 and let it cook for 15 minutes. After it cooled I put it through a reheat cycle for another 15 minutes or so and they came out fine, with just a lit...
by Ron Belanger
Fri May 25, 2012 1:23 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: New Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin
Replies: 23
Views: 22285

Re: New Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin

Thanks for comments folks, I really appreciate them, Jim - It is 3 1/2 inches deep and the neck joint is a flush bolt on. Jon - as Jim mentioned it is Laskin style arm bevel. I believe Tony Karol did the tutorial. I know it is up on the OLF archives as well. Dave - I get my SV directly from Grafted ...
by Ron Belanger
Thu May 24, 2012 8:49 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: New Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin
Replies: 23
Views: 22285

Re: New Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin

Thanks Mark, I use the bracing the Graham MacDonald suggested. An X with lattice. I do a carbon fiber sandwich on the X braces. The nut is 1 3/8 in. and the pin spacing at the bridge is 1 13/16 in. I find the 23 in scale length good for melodic players, and as I am mainly a guitar player I find it e...
by Ron Belanger
Thu May 24, 2012 8:06 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: New Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin
Replies: 23
Views: 22285

New Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin

Here is my newest instrument. Irish Bouzouki / Octave Mandolin Curly Soft Maple back and sides Adirondack spruce top Curly Soft Maple neck Ebony fret board and headstock veneer African Blackwood Bridge Spalted Birch and abalone rosette Gotoh mini tuning machines 23 inch scale length KTM SV finish on...
by Ron Belanger
Sat May 19, 2012 4:14 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Wenge?
Replies: 24
Views: 14755

Re: Wenge?

Wenge is an excellent tone wood for acoustic back and sides. It has a bright glassy tap tone and I really like the dark Chocolate Brown color. I've built a dreadnought with it and look forward to doing more. It is relatively easy to bend, but it is a bit splintery and the pores are deep so take extr...
by Ron Belanger
Mon May 07, 2012 3:32 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Issues with pre-fretting overhanging part of fretboard?
Replies: 10
Views: 9849

Re: Issues with pre-fretting overhanging part of fretboard?

I also fret before I glue the fingerboard to the neck. It is vital to insure your neck and fingerboard gluing surfaces are dead flat. I use a fret arbor press with the StewMac fret press caul set. Works like a charm. Then I follow a similar procedure to Greg to get the fingerboard flat. It works for...
by Ron Belanger
Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:23 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Neck Joint Yamaha APX-4-12
Replies: 9
Views: 8871

Re: Neck Joint Yamaha APX-4-12

Check this discussion http://www.mimf.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=697
Mark Swanson sez they are similar to a Martin Dovetail as far as resets are concerned.
by Ron Belanger
Thu Apr 19, 2012 9:11 am
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Essential tools for traveling musicians-What do you take?
Replies: 8
Views: 9006

Re: Essential tools for traveling musicians-What do you take?

I am assuming this is for small emergencies and string changes on a personal instrument. A small multi-tool is useful and a mini screwdriver with 6 tips that I found at Lowes. The minimum for me would be wire cutters, a string winder and a truss rod allen key.
by Ron Belanger
Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:40 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: William Cumpiano Interview
Replies: 24
Views: 88562

Re: William Cumpiano Interview

Thanks GT&T is where I started.
by Ron Belanger
Thu Apr 05, 2012 12:39 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: fretboard delam
Replies: 8
Views: 8911

Re: fretboard delam

I would be reluctant to use Titebond on a joint that has been previously glued without cleaning the old glue out. Epoxy might work better.
by Ron Belanger
Tue Apr 03, 2012 4:09 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: An unusual string buzz
Replies: 31
Views: 18670

Re: An unusual string buzz

One of my best purchases early on was Dan Erliwine's Videos and book on fretting. It was well worth the investment. I initially purchased it for refrets, but everything he says and does relates to new builds as well. If you plan to continue building and / or repairing, I highly recommend them.

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