Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Thanks Nick. This is a superb tutorial. Only one on internet I've seen. My research suggests: PROS + String break angle improved. + Fewer holes through the bridge, top and bridgeplate. + The bridge can be smaller so more of top to resonate. Some believe there is tone improvement. + Uncluttered: Ofte...

I have an inlay design for fretboard that's a little intricate and considering pour-in inlay with mica colouring. I've never seen the results firsthand. 1. Do they look ok? 2. Do any of the above noticeably yellow or wear badly? I'm thinking 2, 5, 10 years. 3. Which is the best glue/resin for this? ...

Appreciate the effort guys. I posted about this on luthiers forum on Facebook. A lot of interest in the idea.

There's no chance of retrieving the images on this thread, I expect? Great conversation on the topic.

There's no chance of retrieving these images I suppose? Great thread on the topic.

Thanks so much folks. It takes a bit of work to build a good forum like this.

Thanks so much folks. It takes a bit of work to build a good forum. And this is a great community.

Thanks Martin for prompt response. - I've never had a guitar with heel end adjustment. It seems really awkward to me. Headstock end seems simpler to do, but possibly because I've done more thinking about it. - yeah, 2mm seemed thin to me. My fretboard is about 6mm. What's too thick for 1st fret incl...

Some things I can't find clear answers to online. Or I find contrary advice without clear rationale. 1. Bolt on neck : are these Bunnings taskmaster bolts and threaded inserts up to the job? (Leftover from harp build). Or are there much better solutions? PXL_20241221_073949447.jpg 2. Truss rod place...

Thanks for that, Martin and Allen

12-string build in Tassie sassafras. Scarf joint reinforcement? 1. 15° scarf joint angled towards the headstock, not the body. 2. Headstock will be 10mm piece with scarf joint, 3mm facing which will reinforce the joint. (These are not to thickness yet. Total headstock thickness 13mm for Gotoh sg381s...

I've been travelling with work like crazy since January. So now… I need some further advice and also to buy some hardware related to a set of design questions. I don't want rubbish but don't want to pay top dollar for every part, and I have no idea. I'll pay if that's what's needed, but I built a ma...

Thanks folks. Really generous responses. Seeing different approaches gives you a repertoire of options.
The final touches were sandpaper strip glued to edge of length of pine I planed flat. Bingo.

I'm likely to only make two acoustic guitars, so trying to keep purchase of specialist tools to a minimum. How do I measure thickness of middle of soundboard on a budget ? I saw on here a plunge dial caliper attached to home made jig with long arms. If that's a cost effective solution, where would I...

Really helpful, thanks for prompt response. I have a no.6 plane but no shooting board. So I planed a board straight and clamped the two pieces flush and put it in vice. The spruce pieces are on the other side in the pic facing up. PXL_20240707_010228320.jpg Actually I was on the right track and clos...

My two pieces of Sitka spruce 4mm, planed edges, put flat against the window and pressed together by hand: cannot eliminate daylight showing through. Multiple attempts. My understanding is this shouldn't happen at all - zero light - is that correct? That there's zero tolerance? How do I solve this? ...

It's a good alert to what the tensions are doing and role of the neck block. I spent ages thinking through tension in harps.

Thanks Mark and Taffy. Very helpful options to think through and the pics really help. I'm encountering different folk who have used the Sassafras neck and not encountered problems. My piece is long and closer inspection suggests the more radical curve can be avoided - I'll cut it to size to check. ...

Thanks Wayne, that's quite definitive. Especially with a 12-string with its extra load.

Thanks Martin and Mark. I've ordered the Kinkead book. An actual book immediately feels like something more useful than dozens of scattered YouTube videos. Maybe books will become the new thing. This timber appears to be growing in popularity and nice reports on tonewood - Maton have done it, which ...

I'm building a 12 string with my 16yo grandson. Hopefully making memories as much as a guitar. I've built folk harps and electric basses before - I'll post elsewhere maybe. This time I actually bought plans. I did build my son's electric bass with him years ago. Bit of a learning curve on an acousti...