Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Those are fabulous guitars. I am glad you are seeking advice on quality cases that will do them justice. Also glad to know that luthier discounts are available from some of these case makers. I'd hazard a guess that all you have to do is include these photos with your inquiries to the case companies...

It's an interesting topic. In his book, Benedetto mentions that he frequently saw cleated D'Angelico guitars when he was doing repairs. For a time, he followed suit with his own guitars. Then he came to believe that perfect joints, well dried wood and optimal building humidity eliminated the need fo...

Nice save! As I stated previously, I always thought this great old axe was worth the effort to fix. I am in the camp of those who believe that Gibsons, like any other make, should be evaluated on their individual merits. This is a vintage axe and a CLASSIC jazz axe, and I am very glad you brought it...

As the Padma always says: "If it gets the pig clean, use it." I chuckled, too. Glad you posted the pics.

Rod, I might be misunderstanding your description of the dovetail joint, but it looks to me as though it was well-fitted before being dropped and broken. Of course, none of us can tell for sure without actually seeing it. It is normal for the shoulders of the heel to be undercut so that only their e...

Trevor, I must say this is a truly insightful observation on your part. It certainly never occurred to me to even try switching out caps, even though I'm usually a fairly insightful guy. Again and again, I am reminded how painfully obvious so many things are--but only after someone else points them ...

There is another consideration in headstock size--comfortable spacing between tuning machines. I'm referring to comfort when tuning. It's amazing how a slightly closer spacing can make the buttons feel like they're getting in each other's way as you turn one. This, of course would be more a function...

Nice idea, and I especially like the way you fashioned the handle to make a purfling/binding scraper. Is there enough "wiggle" room in the slots and holes of the blade to permit some in and out adjustment for wider or narrower bindings?

Patrick

I think it's a very interesting, attractive shape and you've brought the whole thing together visually in a very nice way. I am not as confident about carved-in back braces because I think applied braces--cross grain--would be much stronger. However, it's your own experimental instrument so I'm sure...

I'm no expert on structural matters, but I don't see how a three piece top could hurt. It might lend very exciting visual design opportunities, too. When building my archtop guitar, I came out with the extremities of the lower bouts too thin. My solution was to shave off the thin parts to a grain li...

And, honestly, I've never been convinced that they need to be round spools. Certainly, they are much prettier tools if they are round. But that's not necessary. Mine happen to be 1" squares, faced with cork and center drilled and then with long carriage bolts threaded through them. They work perfect...

Okay, Allen, I think I'm getting it now. There are some mounting holes and a curved surface that didn't show in your first picture. This makes more sense to me now. Yes, I have a gramil so I understand the way the tool would be used. I just couldn't figure it out from your first picture. As I said e...

Allen, from way over and up here it certainly looks like you've got it working. That's a very interesting rosette, and nicely done, too. Now let me be sure I understand how the tool works. Here's my go at it: Left thumbwheel locks the cutter in place. Insert pin and spaced holes on the bottom are th...

It's a beautiful archtop, Rod. I love archtops. Would you consider letting us know your formula for that nice top color? If my screen is not deceiving me, I'm seeing a very nice purple-ish, reddish brown in the sunburst shading and I love the color.
Congratulations,
Patrick

I can only offer some general advice--and perhaps a resource. First of all, archtop instruments don't work like flat tops. Archtops use floating bridges and tailpieces. Flat tops (like most ukes) use tied or pinned bridges. Having said that, it looks to me like your arch might be a little high relat...

Brent Cole supplies good products at a very good price, and follows through with what I believe is superlative customer service. I believe most, or perhaps all, of his spruce comes from standing deadwood and that appeals to me. If you order from him, don't be surprised if you receive a personal emai...