Search found 601 matches

by lamanoditrento
Fri Jun 13, 2025 2:29 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Help Us Colour the New BGMS Workshop
Replies: 2
Views: 156

Re: Help Us Colour the New BGMS Workshop

I did see some very reasonably priced rosewood B&S sets somewhere recently too!
by lamanoditrento
Fri Jun 13, 2025 10:42 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Help Us Colour the New BGMS Workshop
Replies: 2
Views: 156

Help Us Colour the New BGMS Workshop

BGMS External 2.jpeg A lot of students have asked how they can pitch in with the new space—so we’ve set up a GoFundMe to help cover paint and materials. Once we hit target, we’ll host a couple of Sunday painting days where students/volunteers can help bring the place to life. This space was designe...
by lamanoditrento
Tue Jun 10, 2025 4:36 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Inside a Lockey Hill Cello (c.1780)
Replies: 3
Views: 282

Inside a Lockey Hill Cello (c.1780)

One of my students sent me this: a series of internal photographs of a Lockey Hill cello from around 1780. The work shows the interior structure in sharp detail—tool marks, cleats, grain runout, even repairs. The cello was made by Lockey Hill, fifth son of Joseph Hill and part of the English Hill fa...
by lamanoditrento
Sat Jun 07, 2025 12:24 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Archtop considerations and hello
Replies: 8
Views: 686

Re: Archtop considerations and hello

I have talked to Trent at BGMS about it but thought it would be a good discusion here. Well, that’s one way to guarantee a reply. Name-drop me in a post and hope the guilt kicks in. It worked. Here I am. Now, on the question of NGR for an archtop top: is it traditional? Not even close. Will it work...
by lamanoditrento
Fri Jun 06, 2025 8:51 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Forum Governance Update: ANZLF Now Supported by Incorporated Association
Replies: 5
Views: 1403

Re: Forum Governance Update: ANZLF Now Supported by Incorporated Association

If anyone has any questions about this — why and what for — please ask away. One I’ll pre-empt: why the forum, and not just have a Facebook group? Fair question. But here’s the thing. Facebook is a revolving door. Posts disappear down the feed. The signal-to-noise ratio is terrible. And it’s not a r...
by lamanoditrento
Wed Jun 04, 2025 1:17 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Forum Governance Update: ANZLF Now Supported by Incorporated Association
Replies: 5
Views: 1403

Forum Governance Update: ANZLF Now Supported by Incorporated Association

We’re pleased to announce that the Australasian & New Zealand Luthiers Forum (ANZLF) is now supported by a formal incorporated structure. To ensure continuity, transparency, and shared stewardship into the future, a new Queensland-based association has been formed: the Oceania Luthiers’ Collective I...
by lamanoditrento
Thu May 29, 2025 5:45 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Masterclasses at BGMS – Open to Public
Replies: 1
Views: 709

Re: Masterclasses at BGMS – Open to Public

We’ve now sold the quorum of seats for the August masterclass—thank you to those who’ve already secured their spot.

A $250 deposit is all that’s needed to lock in your place. If you’re keen to join us, get in touch soon as remaining seats are limited.
by lamanoditrento
Fri May 16, 2025 8:39 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Masterclasses at BGMS – Open to Public
Replies: 1
Views: 709

Masterclasses at BGMS – Open to Public

Hey All, BGMS are running a new series of lutherie masterclasses. They’re open to both students and anyone from the broader community who’s keen. All are hands-on, detailed, and led by people who know their stuff. The first one available for booking: Trevor Gore – Modal Tuning 22–24 August (Fri–Sun)...
by lamanoditrento
Wed Apr 30, 2025 2:33 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Brisbane Vintage Guitar Show – BGMS Exhibiting, Demonstrations, and Student Performances
Replies: 3
Views: 3515

Brisbane Vintage Guitar Show – BGMS Exhibiting, Demonstrations, and Student Performances

Hi everyone, Just a quick post to let you know that Brisbane Guitar Making School (BGMS) will be exhibiting at the Brisbane Vintage Guitar Show on 24–25 May 2025, at the Polish Club in Milton in Brisbane. The show is being put on by Sean Powers (one of Steve Toscano's former student's I believe). Th...
by lamanoditrento
Tue Apr 01, 2025 4:30 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Englemann & flame maple archtop
Replies: 6
Views: 39931

Re: Englemann & flame maple archtop

Thanks Wow - very stylish and well executed. I really like how you carried the art deco theme through everything - especially the matching shapes of the pickguard and tailpiece. Do you plan and draw all of that at the outset or does it evolve as the build goes on? I usually have a theme or one idea ...
by lamanoditrento
Tue Apr 01, 2025 4:05 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: New BGMS Workshop Now Open in Rocklea (QLD)
Replies: 2
Views: 4877

New BGMS Workshop Now Open in Rocklea (QLD)

Hi all, Brisbane Guitar Making School has just opened a new workshop in Rocklea. It’s a purpose-built teaching space designed for small group learning, with plenty of bench space, natural light, and room to work at your own pace. This move also marks a shift in how we teach. We’re moving away from t...
by lamanoditrento
Mon Mar 10, 2025 11:39 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Englemann & flame maple archtop
Replies: 6
Views: 39931

Re: Englemann & flame maple archtop

Thanks guys. Here is a quick sound sample with some very overexpose camera work


youtu.be/H0bNX3VxgrE
by lamanoditrento
Sun Mar 09, 2025 6:30 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Englemann & flame maple archtop
Replies: 6
Views: 39931

Englemann & flame maple archtop

Heya All, I was talking to Martin the other day and realised how remiss I had been in not posting anything for such a long time. I can't quite believe how much running your own workshop dominates you're time. Despite having less time to build than I did before, I have managed to build a little, incl...
by lamanoditrento
Sun Aug 18, 2024 8:08 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Ideas for breaking locktight
Replies: 10
Views: 27111

Re: Ideas for breaking locktight

I know you've asked us not to ask you what you were thinking...but it's what we're all thinking so I'll ask the question!! :mrgreen: What were you thinking? :shock: Short answer: I thought I was smarter than I was and acted more stupid than I should be. Long answer: I prepared a captured nut in blo...
by lamanoditrento
Sat Aug 17, 2024 4:26 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Ideas for breaking locktight
Replies: 10
Views: 27111

Re: Ideas for breaking locktight

A tricky one. You could try heating the jack with a large soldering iron..heat should travel up the threaded barrel without causing too much damage to surrounding wood. Thanks Martin, its the surrounding french polish I would worrry about... need to get locktight up to 200 degrees, so I think that ...
by lamanoditrento
Fri Aug 16, 2024 4:34 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Ideas for breaking locktight
Replies: 10
Views: 27111

Ideas for breaking locktight

Rushing, I did a stupid thing and used locktight on a flush mounted output jack. Now the jack cannot be accessed from the inside and I of course have a lot of deep regret :oops: . If anyone has any ideas about how I can break locktight from the outside, I would be eternally grateful. This is the typ...
by lamanoditrento
Fri Aug 16, 2024 4:22 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: F-hole feedback busting
Replies: 8
Views: 22097

Re: F-hole feedback busting

Mark McLean wrote:
Sat Aug 10, 2024 9:44 pm
I just saw some flat interlocking sheets of that type of stuff at Bunnings, sold as flooring for your caravan annex or Ute tray. Cheap.
Awesome. Added to my bunnings list!
by lamanoditrento
Sat Aug 10, 2024 12:48 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: F-hole feedback busting
Replies: 8
Views: 22097

Re: F-hole feedback busting

You know how you can buy feedback busters for acoustic guitars with traditional round holes which are just a rubber plug that blocks the soundhole. Well, there was a guy who had a business in the USA called Doug’s Plugs and he made f-hole shaped plugs for archtops. His website had a hundred or so a...
by lamanoditrento
Sat Aug 10, 2024 12:44 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: F-hole feedback busting
Replies: 8
Views: 22097

Re: F-hole feedback busting

Hi Trent, As a long time f hole electric player I feel the pain. Benedetto states ".. .there is no way of being certain if a particular guitar will feedback. Some guitars (archtop) feed back, some do not" I have found in higher volume scenarios a notch filter or similar works to reduce the offendin...
by lamanoditrento
Mon Jul 22, 2024 10:09 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: F-hole feedback busting
Replies: 8
Views: 22097

F-hole feedback busting

Has anyone heard of f-hole feedback busting other than stuffing with foam or taping them up (which seems to be the only google answers I get)? I've only carved the top, not braced or holes cut. Actually they won't exactly be f shaped either. But is just enough to slow the airflow? I have a halfcocke...
by lamanoditrento
Fri May 24, 2024 5:32 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: QLD maple silkwood & paulowinia LP style carvetop
Replies: 2
Views: 25168

QLD maple silkwood & paulowinia LP style carvetop

Here's another guitar I finished recently that I also haven't posted here. This one I built as a bit of professional development and a fear that I would be needed to cover for the instructor of the solid-body classes at some stage. I've made a couple of electrics but I thought a carve top and a set ...
by lamanoditrento
Fri May 24, 2024 5:03 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Measuring bridge rotation before closing the box.
Replies: 1
Views: 26455

Re: Measuring bridge rotation before closing the box.

Hi Colin, I've seen the jig you are describing or something very similar. I though it was in a thread on the ANZLF but I haven't been able to find it. I think it was an instructor at RobertoVenn and did a quick search on google and IG but couldn't find it. The difference in the jig was the SB was no...
by lamanoditrento
Fri May 24, 2024 4:36 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: BH Sassafras & Silver Quandong Tenor Uke
Replies: 4
Views: 33603

BH Sassafras & Silver Quandong Tenor Uke

I thought I had posted this already but I must have dreamed it. This is a recent-ish commission of a tenor ukulele (or perhaps its really just a really small four stringed nylon guitar). It has a silver quandong SB, blackheart sassafrass B+S, QLD maple silkwood neck, mulga FB, has a K&K Aloha pickup...
by lamanoditrento
Fri May 24, 2024 3:55 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Solid-body Instructor Wanted (Brisbane)
Replies: 6
Views: 27108

Re: Solid-body Instructor Wanted (Brisbane)

Any takers for the position Trent? Sorry its taken me so long to put up an update. Yes, actually. Louis moved from Melbourne and joined the team and is now enjoying the headscatching the rest of us do when trying to answer the question "If I didn't know where 'x' belonged where would I put it?". Sc...
by lamanoditrento
Fri May 24, 2024 3:46 am
Forum: Contemporary Acoustic Guitar Design and Build - Trevor Gore
Topic: Where has everyone gone?
Replies: 8
Views: 42609

Re: Where has everyone gone?

Thanks for putting up all those spreadsheets Greg. I think its an amazing thing to do. But then again, I have to google how to use vlookup every couple of years or so when I have to use it. I've saved them all for closer inspection later but I will definitely be delving into the compensation sheet. ...