Search found 515 matches

by P Bill
Sun Jan 08, 2017 7:20 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: From The Ukulele Shed
Replies: 3
Views: 5901

Re: From The Ukulele Shed

Cheers fellas,
Simso, at another venue, the making and playing of Steel Pans is taught. These pics are from a job expo we were all part of. In the first pic the drum is set out and still flat, in the next pic, partially sunk and in the last pic, fully sunk and the notes formed, still to be tuned.
by P Bill
Sat Jan 07, 2017 10:19 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: From The Ukulele Shed
Replies: 3
Views: 5901

From The Ukulele Shed

It's been awhile for me. I'm still at it, making instruments and related furniture. My third flat top hasn't been worked on for about 9 months. These photos are of work by the participants in a Uke building class I’m overseeing. This is a government work for the dole program. Most of the people had ...
by P Bill
Mon Apr 11, 2016 12:08 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Guitar Stand
Replies: 7
Views: 17609

Guitar Stand

I can’t decide if this guitar stand is a long lost Shaker design or if it would come from the Ikea custom shop. If such a place existed, the guitar stand might be called Yngwie. Nordic construction spruce with red cedar tenons The guitar is my second flat top, an OM style, redwood, silky oak, qld. w...
by P Bill
Wed Dec 23, 2015 6:07 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Places to visit in New York
Replies: 10
Views: 12987

Re: Places to visit in New York

A mate who has been told me the Steinway factory tour is reason enough to visit NY.



http://www.steinwaypianos.com/instrumen ... ay/factory
by P Bill
Tue Jun 17, 2014 8:49 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Truss rod on a 3/4 upright bass
Replies: 10
Views: 12861

Re: Truss rod on a 3/4 upright bass

That's a very clever fix you worked out there Ken. The Chinese factory should just install those as part of the "deluxe" fit out. It's a common enough problem. Also, the sound post is usually more to the centre of the bass than even close to the G foot of the bridge. The fb in the photo was replace...
by P Bill
Wed Dec 04, 2013 9:20 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Visit to Brisbane January 5th 2014
Replies: 4
Views: 6101

Re: Visit to Brisbane January 5th 2014

It will be good to catch up Al. Pm sent.
by P Bill
Sat Oct 19, 2013 8:55 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: I am in love
Replies: 6
Views: 6744

Re: I am in love

Thanks Jim,
This is a fav lady muso of mine. Metis fiddler Sierra Noble,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zRKiqlu6KM
by P Bill
Thu Oct 10, 2013 8:55 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Officially an old fart!!
Replies: 13
Views: 15590

Re: Officially an old fart!!

Happy Birthday Craig,

From the " Old Farts Manual ".

" at age 60 the old fart will start to pile on the beef. The old fart's rations must be cut by one half."

It works, I've gone from 82k to 75k in 4 weeks. NO exercise, same diet, just much smaller portions.
by P Bill
Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:49 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Profiling sides for a Manzer Wedge styled instrument?
Replies: 14
Views: 14872

Re: Profiling sides for a Manzer Wedge styled instrument?

I'm reading Paul Kelly's biography. He sez," why waste a good song? " In one song he has reused his own work,
Goanna and the Go Betweens. Quite up front about it.
by P Bill
Fri Oct 04, 2013 4:57 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Curly Maple
Replies: 9
Views: 10496

Re: Curly Maple

Perry, I would like an A and B grade archie back and sides. 25mm x 17in.
by P Bill
Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:53 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Fretless Bass Epoxy Treatment
Replies: 18
Views: 20266

Re: Fretless Bass Epoxy Treatment

A few suggestions on talkbass. Tuners, strings, timber, neck join etc. I've only made one guitar bass and it is fine. From the other end of the pole, my eubs have too much sustain for an acoustic db player used to rapid decay. :? http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f18/dead-notes-fretless-lack-sustain-101...
by P Bill
Wed Sep 18, 2013 8:36 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Build Thread: The Paperbark Guitar
Replies: 22
Views: 21546

Re: Build Thread: The Paperbark Guitar

Nice work fellas, I love a nice scribe saw.
by P Bill
Wed Sep 18, 2013 6:59 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Crazy stupid acoustic bass guitar archtop ideas project.
Replies: 1
Views: 3554

Re: Crazy stupid acoustic bass guitar archtop ideas project.

Pete, have you seen both of these? I would just be guessing on anything more than Nigel has shown and talked about.


viewtopic.php?t=4779
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=4787
by P Bill
Sat Sep 14, 2013 3:42 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Little Archtop Project Question
Replies: 3
Views: 4532

Re: Little Archtop Project Question

If the neck joint is sound, the short answer from me is no. First I'd mark, on masking tape, the tone bar positions and then fit new bridge feet to suit. See how that goes. It all depends how much of a project you want.
by P Bill
Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:42 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: String Tension on Archtop
Replies: 6
Views: 6617

Re: String Tension on Archtop

Freddie Green played rhythm before pickups. His action was high and his stings were thick. As long as you don't cut a hole in the top it should be ok. But with a pickup you won't need fencing wire. The link has some interesting thoughts about his sound. http://www.freddiegreen.org/instruments/setup....
by P Bill
Mon Sep 09, 2013 7:15 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: New mandolin project
Replies: 16
Views: 15359

Re: New mandolin project

Nice work Pete! Good vintage look as well. The only time a scroll looks right, to me, is on a fiddle. Have you beefed up the bracing to suit the 4mm top?
by P Bill
Sat Aug 31, 2013 7:10 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Ambidextrous guitar
Replies: 16
Views: 15582

Re: Ambidextrous guitar

Thanks for the posts Trevor and Jeff. I know a lot more about classicals than I did 5 min ago. :)
by P Bill
Sat Aug 31, 2013 6:51 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Drill press recommendations
Replies: 6
Views: 11253

Re: Drill press recommendations

+1 on the Waldown! I've had mine about 7-8 mos. 3ph, $100, if you don't have 3ph just replace the motor. It has a very simple dial to change speed. A wide dovetail belt gets compressed instead of changing belts and pulleys.

I like your setup Kim. I must get a light and proper table.
by P Bill
Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:31 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Router Laminate Trimmer
Replies: 23
Views: 22852

Re: Router Laminate Trimmer

G'day Bill, What happened today was down right dangerous. I was using a bit with a 1/4" shank so no collet. The chuck in the trimmer was always very difficult to tighten and undo. It was secondhand when I bought it 6 years ago and I have given it plenty of use use. I am coming down to Beaudesert in...
by P Bill
Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:14 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Router Laminate Trimmer
Replies: 23
Views: 22852

Re: Router Laminate Trimmer

Alan the collet might be dodgy or the wrong size. In the late 80's I worked at a place that had imperial and metric collets and bits. It was a nightmare! Once tight, if you can force the bit to move with your thumb and fore finger, it is a mismatch.
by P Bill
Sat Aug 24, 2013 10:31 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Scraper Burnisher
Replies: 22
Views: 26168

Re: Scraper Burnisher

Kim maybe it's your scraping technique. Thumbs should be low, towards the centre and the scraper will form an arch. Almost vertical is a sharp cut, if you have to tip it forward to cut it is getting blunt.
by P Bill
Sat Aug 24, 2013 9:01 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Scraper Burnisher
Replies: 22
Views: 26168

Re: Scraper Burnisher

I use a tri- corner burnisher as well. For rough work I form a hook right off the file or sanding block. For fine work the scraper is honed square with no lingering dags. I don't hold the scraper in a vise. It's faster and easier for me to just hold scraper flat on a thin top, this allows my knuckle...
by P Bill
Sat Aug 17, 2013 6:48 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Build Thread: The Paperbark Guitar
Replies: 22
Views: 21546

Re: Build Thread: The Paperbark Guitar

Looks good Alan, I always like to see work with " outlaw " timbers. :cl
by P Bill
Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:05 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Australian cedar for soundboard?
Replies: 16
Views: 19722

Re: Australian cedar for soundboard?

colburge wrote:
DarwinStrings wrote:
I can't understand why anyone leaves Darwin :)

Jim
The heat and humidity :wink:

Cheers

Col
You forgot the Crocs, they seem to be everywhere!
by P Bill
Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:07 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Australian cedar for soundboard?
Replies: 16
Views: 19722

Re: Australian cedar for soundboard?

I've used Surrian for tops on a double bass, an archtop, and a viola. Quite happy with the results.