Search found 152 matches

by John Steele
Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:15 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Okay that's it....were banning banjos from the forum
Replies: 18
Views: 15713

I read somewhere that the banjo is the only 'stringed' instrument originated in the states`I have one (my bro's) but never play it. Way too pluckie for me. I prefer the warmth of wood over steel & cowhide. But Doc Bogs is cool.
by John Steele
Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:34 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Variations on a Macca.
Replies: 131
Views: 123264

The rosette looks great there Nick. Be neat to see the final product. From the pics it looks like the router bit follows the template edge as a guide. Is there a bearing or just bit shaft? I can appreciate the complexity of making that inner pattern cut. Nice job.
J
by John Steele
Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:35 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Suggestions needed
Replies: 13
Views: 11369

Black binding might look pretty cool with the ebony FB. Will it have a pick guard as well? I can see the ivoriod too. Would be a nice contrast.
J
by John Steele
Sun May 31, 2009 12:15 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Right you lot are in serious trouble
Replies: 49
Views: 34997

Kim wrote:Nice work Martin, you must be enjoying ur'self because the mold looks very good.......still reckon it looks like a Trojan sheep though. :D
I was thinking "wooden bike helmet".....
Looks like a great project going there, can't wait to see the final outcome.
And we get to watch!
by John Steele
Sun May 24, 2009 1:29 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Tailpiece Grand Concert
Replies: 10
Views: 11143

Really nice Joe. When Kim's done playing I want some time with it! That top color looks great. Just a great overall look. Couple questions; What is the body depth? and did you notch the ladder braces or the long braces? Looks like you notched the ladder braces where they cross the long braces. thx J...
by John Steele
Fri May 22, 2009 1:48 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Electric quilt maple carvetop neck through.
Replies: 16
Views: 14486

That is some serious eye candy. So many nice touches, I really like the binding and the top. With that thru neck it looks like it would sustain a note until the next day.... Beautiful design.
J
by John Steele
Mon May 18, 2009 10:10 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Anyone here make banjos????
Replies: 42
Views: 31972


youtu.be/
I think you forgot "Stringbean". Buddie had the whole hip-hop look happening way before its time....
by John Steele
Fri May 15, 2009 3:39 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: No 6 Fretted Up
Replies: 21
Views: 16784

That is some tidy work there sir! Looks very clean & crisp.
You did wax the end grain on those tops, right? :lol:
J
by John Steele
Mon May 11, 2009 2:36 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: My New Baby
Replies: 12
Views: 9857

Congratulations;
It is beautiful & healthy
Thank gawd you did not practice abstinence....
by John Steele
Mon May 11, 2009 2:27 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Variations on a Macca.
Replies: 131
Views: 123264

Nick; You are a crafty buggar after my own heart! That was a nice solution with the the lining to create a shelf for the "interior" back plate. I like the slot/baffle idea as well. Is that spruce you are using for the neck block? I have always had a liking to the Maccaferri design and look. In fact ...
by John Steele
Mon May 11, 2009 10:27 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Intonation nightmare on my 'little guitar'...
Replies: 36
Views: 30631

A young man recently brought me a guitar to look at. It was a classical style guitar that had been strung with steel strings. It too, was " a bear to tune" Looking at it from the side I noticed the top had collapsed in front of the bridge and there was a HUGE bow behind the bridge. This bow tilted t...
by John Steele
Sun May 10, 2009 3:22 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Tenor Kasha Ukulele
Replies: 21
Views: 21935

Beautiful work Matt. First Kasha Uke I've ever heard of or seen. Nicely done to say the least.
by John Steele
Tue May 05, 2009 2:45 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Ah, Spring
Replies: 10
Views: 8479

Trust me, its there....LOL! I went from the bottom of the rosette to the binding. Fortunately I had some left over wood from the top to splice in, so I was able to get a good color match. On a side note; While the top had the usual array of clamps to button down the the wedge I happened to give the ...
by John Steele
Tue May 05, 2009 11:28 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Ah, Spring
Replies: 10
Views: 8479

As an update.... No where near as sweet a solution as the happy face Ozzie posted for his Uke, but a degree of function I guess. http://www.anzlf.com/phpBB2/userpix/244_Zip_it_1.jpg Ok, I went for the basic crack repair. I thought long & hard and since this was a new style I was trying to develop I ...
by John Steele
Tue May 05, 2009 11:08 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: What's you your workbench?
Replies: 203
Views: 173358

Just scraping bindings on another L-1. This one is all "California Koa"... OK, just walnut, but after the post of the gorgeous guitar with King Billy Pine I guess I got a bit envious of the really cool name. Great seeing the things people are working on. http://www.anzlf.com/phpBB2/userpix/244_L1_Wa...
by John Steele
Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:21 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Ah, Spring
Replies: 10
Views: 8479

Dave; 'normal' humidity is around 45-55% except in winter where it goes 100%+ with the fog. The top wood has been hanging around for 10-15 years and has been stored well but not at final thickness.. I would have thought it would have reached some sort of equilibrium by now. So much for thinkin'. But...
by John Steele
Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:46 pm
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: There are some real @rseholes on this planet - caution heavy
Replies: 31
Views: 21914

Sounds like a pretty crappy way to end the day. I can't think of anything that would help other than to say given the circumstances you're allowed and people will understand. While I am new here, I see you offer support to all that need it. Back atcha M8
J
by John Steele
Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:31 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Ah, Spring
Replies: 10
Views: 8479

Ah, Spring

Ok, its been a while since I've been bitten by the humidity bug, but.... I have a build that I was getting ready to route the binding ledges in. Normally, I keep works in progress this far along indoors in a case. I got called away and managed to leave this in the garage for a couple of days just wh...
by John Steele
Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:21 pm
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Things that FAIL
Replies: 15
Views: 12941

I sure hope they remembered to save that missing bridge pin. Won't be the same without it!
by John Steele
Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:35 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: I've been cogitating!
Replies: 28
Views: 20758

Paul Hostetter has a bit of info regarding the Selmar/Maccaferri guitars with internal resonaters that were semi double backed. http://www.lutherie.net/resonate.html I remember seeing pictures of an old prototype (1940ish?) Gibson with a double back & sides. Kind of a box-in-a-box with sound 'vents'...
by John Steele
Mon Apr 20, 2009 2:19 pm
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Can you guess from the pic where I've been today?
Replies: 23
Views: 17585

The wife and I are about 20 minutes west of Sacramento in Dixon, CA
by John Steele
Mon Apr 20, 2009 1:49 pm
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Can you guess from the pic where I've been today?
Replies: 23
Views: 17585

Came across this in 2007 on my way to Canada. Had just exited the NE corner of yellowstone nat'l park, Dropping towards Billing, MT. This pass was at 11,000 ft. I hope to head back that way this August. I just thought it was a great view and thought I would share. I am so glad people come from far a...
by John Steele
Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:27 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Couple of L1's
Replies: 14
Views: 13008

Mark; Neck joint was typical dovetail. I've tried all the alternates (even straight epoxy to body via David Young's book of many moons ago) and keep staying with dovetail. Its a pain but I've gotten pretty decent at it. The finish is french polish which was my first attempt. I am pretty much sold on...
by John Steele
Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:00 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Ukulele Mania! (Yet another one)
Replies: 23
Views: 17867

FWIW, that smiley face ROCKS! The headstock logo instantly reminded me of some asian-pacific alphabet letter. Both made me smile.
by John Steele
Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:29 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Couple of L1's
Replies: 14
Views: 13008

Thank you for the kind comments; A few more pics as requested. Sorry about the poor photogragphy skills. (Chicken courtesy "Emma" from across the street).Someone asked where my plans were from. Drew them up myself. Found the best straight-away picture of an L1 I could find and blew it up to match kn...