Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Again thanks for the help. I think we agree! I have produced a couple of diagrams which show the maths for different break angles 20 and 45 degrees. Is there any chance you could have a look and explain your thinking in the context of these diagrams please? This image shows a break angle of 20 degre...

Ok thanks for that. So if you need a certain amount of downforce to promote the forward backward motion of the saddle the break angle is largely irrelevant. However there would still be an optimum level of downforce, albeit within much wider limits, how would you determine this? If that's the case t...

I am looking for some guidance on Break Angle at the Saddle but can't find any in the forum. I wonder if anyone has given any serious thought to the mechanics of this. What I think to be true so far is: On a standard steel string guitar different strings have different tensions when tuned to EADGBE,...

When something is made by hand it is crafted in such a way that a constant process of working, inspecting, reflecting takes place. The inspection and reflection informs the builder on the next cut that must be made. If I drum sand a soundboard then I reflect after each pass, I bend, squeeze and list...

All businesses have bad debtors. Eventually you will learn to factor them in as a cost of your business. The difficulty with your situation is that it represents a sizeable portion of your working year and the hit is large. I would advocate patience. Even if he doesn't buy it in the end you still ha...

Absolutely.

I even try and dampen the sounds of all the strings until they are all in place.

Nothing beats those first few days of playing where you knock out your favourites whilst constantly retuning, as Each part of the guitar gets to know the others.

Having just read Somygi's book I am led to believe that your assumption is correct, grain direction is less of a factor than one might think. I have done some of my own tests and it appears that the density of the wood has more effect than the grain direction on the deflection readings. By density I...

I see what you're saying, I was of the opinion that the alcohol disapated quickly enough to get multiple bodying sessions done in succession. When you build with shellac you don't make layers like you do with varnish which you hope will bond together. When you finish multiple bodying sessions you ar...

A month! Wow that sounds like a different method to the one I use. Two days didn't include the pore filling, I favour using a spit coat, end grain sawdust and my finger for that. But again that takes a day to get right. When I say two days I mean 8 till 5 each day so a fair few hours. Not too sure w...

If you ever do fancy learning French polishing then I recommend Robbie Obriens video course on it. It is excellent and almost filmed in real time. My experience is that French polishing is quicker than spraying especially if you aren't a professional sprayer. A guitar takes about two days to complet...

Thats so pretty Dave. I often think it is a shame these instruments need to be 'finished' with an oil, wax or lacquer when they look as pure as that.

Mine was all about humidity control. I built a stunning koa spruce steel string body, handmade rosettes, lacewood bindings and fell in love with my own work it was that good. Took it out of the workshop and into the house so I could concentrate on the neck. Weeks later I listened to the tap tone, th...

Thanks for the book recommendation. Once I have finished with Somogyi, which is looking great by the way, I will most likely try out your recommendations. I can't easily find a copy of the book in the UK at the moment. The loonies have taken over the asylum here so our money is as useful as ballast ...

The bought Ervin Somogyi's book $200, A4 sized, 360 pages and nearly all text.

I will post reviews as I go through it. First impressions is that my head is going to explode with all that expertise and information.

HHG definitely seems to be recommendation. I just can't square that with the need to add or remove material after every measurement. I decided the best way forward is to make the back and sides out of 4mm ply. The back will have two tracks glued to it in the shape of the sides, one mapping the insid...

Thanks for the reply. I wondered about the effects of adding extra mass by the use of magnets and can't quite get it clear in my head. My aim is to examine the effects of the constituent parts of the braces, and then go on to make the best soundboard I can. Is the best soundboard dependent upon the ...

First we master the basics and that takes years! Then we master the really subtle stuff and that takes more years and fills our brains to the brim to the point where we go and forget the basics all over again.

We've all been there and feel your pain.

I am new to this forum and it looks like it is full of builders with fantastic ideas, I would like to hear your opinions on my next project. My questions are: Does anyone have any experience of trying to build a guitar with a removable back and can they save me a week's work with some pointers? Even...