Search found 1080 matches

by matthew
Sun Jul 20, 2014 1:06 pm
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. The factory should simply install a decent fingerboard on the "deluxe" model, IMO. I may be completely wrong but i don't think that ingenious fix will last very long. I ...
by matthew
Sun Jul 20, 2014 9:41 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Good Selmer/Macca needed in Adelaide urgently
Replies: 2
Views: 3291

Good Selmer/Macca needed in Adelaide urgently

Brilliant jazz manouche guitarist Sebastien Giniaux is playing with Stochelo Rosenberg Trio tonight in Adelaide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An4ehUQgpVI But he is having guitar problems and needs to find a decent one for the performance. Doesnt have to be a Selmer. A good guitar in that style is...
by matthew
Tue Jun 24, 2014 7:04 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Luthier Visits
Replies: 16
Views: 16196

Re: Luthier Visits

the French bass is still happening and I hope to complete soon. I have not updated my website for a while. I have been posting progress on the bass and other projects in other places from time to time, where I can freely edit and rearrange my images and posts. Try my facebook.
by matthew
Tue Jun 24, 2014 6:58 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Luthier Visits
Replies: 16
Views: 16196

Re: Luthier Visits

a few people have said they get the malware warning but I cannot find any malware on my site. I think it maybe a furphy. if your Adblock gives any extra info pls send me a screenshot. I cannot duplicate the warning with my PC or Mac ...
by matthew
Mon Jun 23, 2014 8:38 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Luthier Visits
Replies: 16
Views: 16196

Re: Luthier Visits

a brace ...
by matthew
Mon Jun 23, 2014 5:09 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Luthier Visits
Replies: 16
Views: 16196

Re: Luthier Visits

I am in Sydney. I don't make guitars but if you are passing by on a weekend you are welcome to visit and see what double basses are made of.
by matthew
Mon Jan 20, 2014 7:25 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Scrap wood bass - build No.8
Replies: 12
Views: 10857

Re: Scrap wood bass - build No.8

looking good :-) I like the cupped cutaway.

Hmmmm ... must have a hit on a fan-fret one day ...
by matthew
Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:20 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?

Double Bass makers have been building basses with non-parallel rib edges (effectively a wedge) for some time, too. Jean Auray (France) does this, for one. I don't think he would have copied Manzers design, it's more a response to a functional need. Does anyone credit the trad guitar makers with body...
by matthew
Sun Aug 11, 2013 3:43 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Starting Front Head Stock Carving
Replies: 33
Views: 32977

Re: Starting Front Head Stock Carving

Superb Chris. If it was mine I think I would do something in that space. A leitmotif ... leafmotif ... whatever.
by matthew
Mon Aug 05, 2013 7:44 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Starting Front Head Stock Carving
Replies: 33
Views: 32977

Re: Starting Front Head Stock Carving

very, very cool. Total class.
by matthew
Fri Aug 02, 2013 1:19 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Trying to decide on a finish
Replies: 19
Views: 20139

Re: Trying to decide on a finish

markus if that is the case how then is it that one can stain a guitar top or back without too much trouble? its not just sitting on the surface!
by matthew
Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:20 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Trying to decide on a finish
Replies: 19
Views: 20139

Re: Trying to decide on a finish

Hi Stag I think the original idea that oil dampened the wood came from the classical guitar makers who were quite traditional and there reasoning was because it soaks in a bit unlike shellac which doesnt it therefore changed the structure of the wood and its tonal charachteristics And another non-b...
by matthew
Sat Jul 27, 2013 1:56 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: matthew's new bass
Replies: 22
Views: 22608

Re: matthew's new bass

yes, it started out as shelves rescued from an old guy's garage :-)
by matthew
Sat Jul 27, 2013 10:01 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: matthew's new bass
Replies: 22
Views: 22608

Re: matthew's new bass

Thank you guys.

I have two more in planning, one with all-australian woods (Huon pine, king billy top, not sure yet what for neck and scroll)

But these will have to wait until I finish a certain long-standing restoration project.
by matthew
Tue Jul 23, 2013 10:42 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: French polishing
Replies: 26
Views: 27062

Re: French polishing

is it too soon to post this again?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQcQ0yuekZ0
by matthew
Wed Jul 17, 2013 7:28 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: O.M old whisky barrel look...Without the sparkles...
Replies: 21
Views: 22238

Re: O.M old whisky barrel look...Without the sparkles...

Beautiful guitar with a really manly look to it. I like the simple, manly bindings and manly centre strip and the smoky, manly, tobacco-stained finish. If i were a pirate I'd have no hesitation in slinging it onto my back and sailing off to Angostura.
by matthew
Wed Jul 17, 2013 1:20 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: French polishing
Replies: 26
Views: 27062

Re: French polishing

sandarac, copal, elemi, rosin etc are just materials that have different properties (hardness/resistance to heat & water/transparency/colour/flexibility/flow characteristics) to the shellac, so unless you know why you are adding them there's no point. There's no miracle additive that makes the perfe...
by matthew
Sat Jul 13, 2013 9:40 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: French polishing
Replies: 26
Views: 27062

Re: French polishing

probably heat ... UV ... the usual suspects
by matthew
Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:58 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Starting Front Head Stock Carving
Replies: 33
Views: 32977

Re: Starting Front Head Stock Carving

finished yet? I was enjoying this one.
by matthew
Thu Jul 11, 2013 3:53 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Trying to decide on a finish
Replies: 19
Views: 20139

Re: Trying to decide on a finish

kiwigeo wrote:
Mark McLean wrote:Hi Stag, and welcome to ANZLF
That idea that oil finishes somehow dampen sound? - smells stongly of bullshit.
I dunno. People say my guitars sound crude......could be something to do with the oil finish. :?
i'm sure you compensate with slick workmanship ...
by matthew
Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:10 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Trying to decide on a finish
Replies: 19
Views: 20139

Re: Trying to decide on a finish

That idea that oil finishes somehow dampen sound? - smells stongly of bullshit [...] Compared with the effect of different timbers, bracing and construction methods, scale length, string gague, and a million other factors that affect acoustic performance, the difference made by alternative finishes...
by matthew
Wed Jul 10, 2013 8:06 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: French polishing
Replies: 26
Views: 27062

Re: French polishing

I don't see a huge problem with repairs. You just need to accept that hard shellac is no longer going to act like shellac when it crosslinks. However, getting shellac to stick to it shouldn't be a problem ... shellac sticks to just about anything except silicone. Shellac based varnishes are routinel...
by matthew
Wed Jul 10, 2013 6:11 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: French polishing
Replies: 26
Views: 27062

Re: French polishing

I must admit have not had a lot of luck french polishing with hard shellac. I had the same problem when trying to spirit off, streaks and ended up dragging off colour. However, it brushes really well and if you add a little spike oil and/or thin with isopropanol to slow evaporation, (i thin approx 5...
by matthew
Wed Jul 03, 2013 3:28 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Playing with branding irons
Replies: 25
Views: 22361

Re: Playing with branding irons

if you have cattle or pets or kids you may be able to find a use for it there as well.
by matthew
Mon Jul 01, 2013 11:46 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Mass loaded top
Replies: 26
Views: 23716

Re: Mass loaded top

But Markus, what is your ear telling you about that weight? You didn't really seem to say, and I would have thought it was an important observation to make ...