Search found 65 matches

by Matt Bach
Thu May 16, 2013 6:29 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Shielding on electric guitars.
Replies: 13
Views: 14853

Re: Shielding on electric guitars.

The tape shields really well but I've found that the adhesive can fail after a few heat cycles (at least with my "left me guitar in me car again" customers) so I go with the paint option. It's also easier to get in the nooks and crannies and you can even dribble it down holes, easy clean up, next to...
by Matt Bach
Tue May 14, 2013 12:11 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Playing with branding irons
Replies: 25
Views: 22377

Re: Playing with branding irons

Very cool. Could you cut it right down and slip it onto the end of a big soldering iron?
by Matt Bach
Tue Mar 12, 2013 2:29 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Pattern Makers Vice
Replies: 10
Views: 16007

Re: Pattern Makers Vice

I thought the stewmac one was stupid and far too expensive to ship but I bought it anyway on a whim. A couple of years later, I use it literally every day and am considering getting another. If a local variant pops up I am all ears, otherwise I'll gladly pay for another stewmac version, they become ...
by Matt Bach
Fri Feb 08, 2013 9:28 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Scale length - does it really affect sound?
Replies: 15
Views: 16440

Re: Scale length - does it really affect sound?

Your hands are plenty big enough. :wink: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSedE5sU3uc Personally I find longer scale lengths easier to play and can play "better" on them because they are less cramped up. Any stretches that span more than 4 frets should probably be re-thought anyway in my books! Can't ...
by Matt Bach
Wed Dec 12, 2012 5:54 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Figured wood storage?
Replies: 3
Views: 4306

Figured wood storage?

Hi guys I'm slowly amassing some figured bits of various timbers and was wondering if there's any "better" way to store it. At the moment everything sits on shelving, stickered but not really clamped down, just sitting there. Some of it is a bit cupped, and I expect still drying. Thick stuff intende...
by Matt Bach
Fri Dec 07, 2012 11:25 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Gibson ES175 busted up pretty bad
Replies: 14
Views: 13391

Re: Gibson ES175 busted up pretty bad

What's the go with the plugs on the fretboard?
by Matt Bach
Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:09 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Simple Easy Tool
Replies: 25
Views: 19452

Re: Simple Easy Tool

I've found they can dint/marr softer fretboards if you use it as prescribed so I don't use mine any longer either. I mainly work on electrics so I guess different strokes etc but just a heads up.
by Matt Bach
Fri Oct 19, 2012 10:22 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Simple bolt-in neck joint for solid-body electrics?
Replies: 17
Views: 13466

Re: Simple bolt-in neck joint for solid-body electrics?

Aside from the aforementioned issues with string tension pulling it up and snapping bits off, and possible weirdness when tightening relating to the scale length (not by much but could be enough to annoy), I think having an adjustment point hidden in the pickup cavity will be pretty annoying down th...
by Matt Bach
Wed Oct 10, 2012 12:21 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Machine head/Tuning peg broken screw
Replies: 13
Views: 11107

Re: Machine head/Tuning peg broken screw

I believe Frank Ford made a similar round saw from a piece of brass tube. Just filed teeth into the end and chucked it into a drill. Frets.com is where I saw the demo. Rob I do this very regularly, for rusted out or snapped off screws, and it works a treat. You can get brass tube at hobby stores, s...
by Matt Bach
Tue Oct 09, 2012 2:03 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Fine 0000 grade Steel Wool in Sydney?
Replies: 17
Views: 16629

Re: Fine 0000 grade Steel Wool in Sydney?

That's weird, it's stocked in at least 3 local (QLD) bunnings stores that I know of...? Surely they have the same suppliers as NSW?
by Matt Bach
Thu Oct 04, 2012 2:51 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: $50? You gotta be kidding me...
Replies: 15
Views: 12312

Re: $50? You gotta be kidding me...

Nice buy for $50. Before you get too far in check they have drilled a hole for the bridge ground wire, most of the cheap kits I've seen don't have it done, one even didn't have a hole for the pickup wiring to get to the cavity. Easy to fix now, not so fun when the neck is glued in.
by Matt Bach
Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:52 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: opinions please
Replies: 37
Views: 27894

Re: opinions please

by Matt Bach
Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:28 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Compensating for nutcases
Replies: 12
Views: 11242

Re: Compensating for nutcases

Thanks guys, it's getting clearer. Somewhat. Thanks Trev! Honestly even doing a couple of guitars/basses a day for a few years I'm still trying to get MY fretting pressure totally consistent across the strings when intonating; as well as trying to match what the player does with his/her hands so as ...
by Matt Bach
Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:30 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Compensating for nutcases
Replies: 12
Views: 11242

Compensating for nutcases

So I have read the recommendations in another thread about compensated nuts and I would really appreciate if you could share some articles on this approach; I'd like to chew on this further. I'm yet to read anything that makes perfect sense to me. It seems to me that making nuts this way is kinda lo...
by Matt Bach
Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:04 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Forum's Choice
Replies: 65
Views: 44648

Re: Forum's Choice

kiwigeo wrote:Look at that frickin' lining will ya'. It's so neat and pretty it should be on the outside of the frickin' instrument.
Was thinking this too and then noticed the inlay on the heel block!!!
by Matt Bach
Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:03 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: opinions please
Replies: 37
Views: 27894

Re: opinions please

Aside from regluing, could you hide a insert/bolt or dowel in the heel? As for being suitable for the purpose I'd argue it's not. If it's supposed to be a steel string travel guitar it should be a little more robust and an afternoon in a hot car shouldn't cause it to fold it in half. Can't really bl...
by Matt Bach
Thu Feb 16, 2012 1:10 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Idea's Input Please
Replies: 28
Views: 20818

Re: Idea's Input Please

I did a gold leaf finish on an electric once for "fun", it turned out pretty cool, but something along the line contaminated the clear and it's never been right since. I don't think it was the actual gold though. I used acrylic lacquer as the glue, brushing it on, then attempted to put the gold leaf...
by Matt Bach
Sun Dec 25, 2011 9:42 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Leveling frets
Replies: 10
Views: 9620

Re: Leveling frets

Sorry I assumed voitty (OP) was doing the whole neck leveling. I don't use the jig if it's just for a couple of high frets that need attention, but I will if the whole neck needs doing.
by Matt Bach
Sun Dec 25, 2011 12:41 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Love the name of this airline
Replies: 3
Views: 3695

Re: Love the name of this airline

If those "hostesses" walk through the door sideways, they may actually be going to Bangkok!
by Matt Bach
Sun Dec 25, 2011 12:39 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Leveling frets
Replies: 10
Views: 9620

Re: Leveling frets

kiwigeo wrote:Dont fret ( :lmao ) Stewmac will soon come up with a jig that allows you to do a refret without taking the strings off the instrument.
:D
by Matt Bach
Sun Dec 25, 2011 12:32 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Leveling frets
Replies: 10
Views: 9620

Re: Leveling frets

True - I've certainly done without a jig and had good results in the past, and it is definitely a bit of a pain in the ass using it, but if I've got a guitar with a bendy/noodle neck, the jig at least gives me confidence that what I'm doing is going to end up perfect, especially if there's not much ...
by Matt Bach
Sat Dec 24, 2011 7:32 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Leveling frets
Replies: 10
Views: 9620

Re: Leveling frets

If you want good/accurate results you need a jig that simulates string tension on the neck while the strings are off too.
by Matt Bach
Thu Nov 24, 2011 10:59 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Cleaning out old glue from previous repair?
Replies: 10
Views: 9534

Re: Cleaning out old glue from previous repair?

Cheers! I have done a few now but never with an epoxy so all advice helps! I've got a jig sorted for this one and it's probably in truth one of the easier ones I've done but that doesn't mean it's not going to throw me a curve ball when I least expect it. Also looking forward to giving the epoxy a g...
by Matt Bach
Thu Nov 24, 2011 9:09 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Cleaning out old glue from previous repair?
Replies: 10
Views: 9534

Re: Cleaning out old glue from previous repair?

Thanks guys, that de glue stuff looks pretty nifty, might invest in a bottle as a test, but the ammonia and or vinegar is interesting too. Sand blaster just sounds like fun! For now I've gone the old scrape and brush (the bits I can get to) and there are some gaps, so epoxy it is... should I use ext...