Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Hi Daniel, Great job for a first build. You should be proud of your accomplishment as it is not an easy task building a fine musical instrument. My first two guitars are out in the the shed and not in good condition. They where both learning curves especially about trying to build with timber not se...

Merry Christmas Martin and to all members and visitors to our forum.
Cheers
Alan

Hi Paul, They are all beautiful instruments. I have built many weissenborn copies but never thought to build a four string. I agree with Mark the Red Cedar Dulcimer. I would be interested what is inside the box especially the Dulcimer. Thanks for sharing the pics they are simply outstanding stringed...

Look forward to seeing some new builds Martin.
It has been a long time out of the workshop.
All good now
Cheers
Alan

G'day Old Picker,
I thicknessesed a King Billy top through my carbatec drum sander recently and had no problem using 100 grit paper in the machine.
Cheers
Alan

G'day Jules, I used all sorts of neck joints building my guitars over the past years. My Archtops use a bolt on neck with straight mortise and tenon joint and bolted in. I have a steel tool I had made for me like a Maton neck adjustment tool to attach and remove the neck. It is inserted through wher...

Thanks Dave, I really respect Alan Caruth will look into it. The demo's I have listened to on youtube are pretty convincing to me that the Tornavoz definitely lowers the air resonance of the box. Still it depends on microphones, room position in the recording environment that may make a difference t...

whoops not sure how I managed a double post.
Sorry?

Hi there, I have a classical guitar on the bench at the present time and would like to incorporate a Tornavoz. I have seen a few through my internet research some about 18mm high made from laminated wood some spruce, some rosewood. Making one from brass seems a big job where the wood small ones I h...

Hi there, I have a classical guitar on the bench at the present time and would like to incorporate a Tornavoz. I have seen a few through my internet research some about 18mm high made from laminated wood some spruce, some rosewood. Making one from brass seems a big job where the wood small ones I ha...

Yes that is a classy Archtop build.
Beautiful Blackwood and fabulous finish.
I do like the neck humbucker tone it is creamy.
Congratulations Wayne, another great instrument.
Cheers
Alan

Thanks Trevor and Ross for your advice. They are the better quality Gotoh classical tuners and they did feel a tight fit when installed. I have some beez wax so I will sand them till they are not such a tight fit with the dowel sandpaer method and then apply the beez wax because I have it in the wor...

Thanks Martin and Dave. I fell into a false sense of security using the Stewmac jig thinking it would be perfect. Not the case. When I installed them I thought the holes were a bit tight on the rollers. Ok, easy fix just wondering if it was a common issue. Thank you Gentleman for your time. Cheers A...

Hi everyone,
I finished my first classical build recently. The machine heads are binding up and creaking and groaning. I used a Stewmac jig so the distance between posts should be spot on. Any suggestions greatly received.
Cheers
Alan

Hi Seth,
Welcome to the forum.
Where have you been hiding?
Two beautiful guitars and your attention to detail especially with your inlay is first class.
Hope to see more work like that from you.
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers
Alan

Here you go. Simple and easy.
Cheers
Alan

Townsville has an average of 60% humidity. I use a dry box big enough to fit a solera with guitar builds at different stages fitted to it and guitar bodies in moulds with necks attached. The box uses a 100 watt globe located at the bottom of the box with an intake hole at the bottom and an exhaust a...

What a beauty! The looks so good.
What do you think of King Billy for a soundboard?
Do you have a demo yet I would love to hear it?
Sensational build thanks for sharing.
Cheers
Alan

G'day Wayne,
Great looking guitar and the red sunburst finish fits the guitars style.
The bridge itself is a work of art.
I'm keen to hear the guitar once you have a demo.
Cheers
Alan

They are all beautiful works of art and fine instruments. Be proud of the Houndstooth as I can see many hours of marquetry work. I like the simplicity of the ECT 450 with carved top and wooden volume tone controls. Thanks for sharing its a good feeling to be able to show your work to people like us ...

Very nice Rod thank you for sharing.
I bet the amp have plenty of stick.
I have a 18 watt Vox voiced amp and a 11 watt Vibrolux copy and they are both damn loud.
The tube sound is wonderful.
Well done, beautiful workmanship.
Cheers
Alan

G'day Jim,
Thanks for the original heads up on the guitar and for your kind comments.
Cheers
Alan

I have always installed frets before gluing the fingerboard to the neck.
Cheers
Al

Thanks Kiwigeo and Fishman for your comments.
I am very happy with the outcome.
Cheers
Al

Hi Bruce and thanks for your comments. Yes it would be very close to a FE-17 a little smaller I think. When I disassembled the guitar Steve from the forum collaborated together and I have a plan of the guitar. It is not perfect but if you would like a copy I can email it to you anytime. I have built...