Search found 1072 matches

by Mark McLean
Mon Nov 29, 2010 4:11 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Neck bolt systems
Replies: 23
Views: 23974

Re: Neck bolt systems

Can you post a picture of those Peter?
by Mark McLean
Mon Nov 29, 2010 6:19 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: The first few days of a new guitar's life
Replies: 7
Views: 7390

Re: The first few days of a new guitar's life

Hi Puff
I am a bit worried about the finality of that last post. Everything OK? I sent you a PM last night. I hope we will see you posting here again today - or give me a call.
Mark
by Mark McLean
Sun Nov 28, 2010 10:39 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: The first few days of a new guitar's life
Replies: 7
Views: 7390

Re: The first few days of a new guitar's life

Thanks for the help guys. Over the last few days the guitar seems to be quite stable. The slight doming of the top is not excessive and it doesn't seem to be collapsing in front of the bridge. I am hoping that it is like Dave says - a sign of the soundboard responding nicely to string tension. Dave,...
by Mark McLean
Fri Nov 26, 2010 2:08 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: The first few days of a new guitar's life
Replies: 7
Views: 7390

The first few days of a new guitar's life

Last weekend I strung up my latest build (my 3rd). It is a walnut SJ with Swiss spruce top - I will post some photos soon. I am interested in your observations about how a guitar should behave in its first few days. Let us assume that we are talking about a steel string acoustic. When all of those i...
by Mark McLean
Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:36 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Neck bolt systems
Replies: 23
Views: 23974

Re: Neck bolt systems

I ended up doing it exactly as you describe, Kim. Those inserts are much better than the ones from LMI and they take a big bite. They do mush the end-grain up a bit and I wicked lots of CA in and it ended up feeling nice and solid. Like Jeff said - it is important to make sure that the bolt doesn't ...
by Mark McLean
Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:42 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Neck bolt systems
Replies: 23
Views: 23974

Re: Neck bolt systems

OK. Great advice here. All of these are superior to what I have been doing. The barrel bolts would be much better with that reinforcement. Having bolts in the neck and the nut inside the guitar like Dom shows is better than trying to screw things into the endgrain of the neck. Inspirational stuff al...
by Mark McLean
Sun Nov 14, 2010 5:28 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Neck bolt systems
Replies: 23
Views: 23974

Re: Neck bolt systems

The Prestige brand ones at Bunning's are pretty much the same as those ones you show there Alan, except he bolts are longer and will need to be cut. I am going to use those for my repair. I think Jeff is right, the barrel/bolt system will probably weaken the tenon too much. Bob's system looks much s...
by Mark McLean
Sun Nov 14, 2010 1:29 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Neck bolt systems
Replies: 23
Views: 23974

Re: Neck bolt systems

Jeff I bought some of the inserts for the prestige bolt as well. They have a much better thread than the ones that came pre-installed from LMI. You are making me think that I might go with that instead, because it will involve drilling less timber out of the tenon. Any opinions about which is better...
by Mark McLean
Sun Nov 14, 2010 10:21 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Neck bolt systems
Replies: 23
Views: 23974

Neck bolt systems

For my current build I bought a 5-piece laminated neck blank with matching neck block for a bolted mortice/tenon attachment. I got it from LMI. It is mahogany/EIR/maple and they have lugs installed in the tenon to accept the neck bolts. The problem is that those lugs can pull out, and that is what h...
by Mark McLean
Fri Nov 12, 2010 4:40 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: possible good source of bracing
Replies: 6
Views: 6665

Re: possible good source of bracing

My wife ordered one of those fancy German dishwashers. She reckoned that my spending on power tools justified her getting this one instead of something made in China. I must admit that it washes the dishes perfectly well. However, when it arrived I also immediately noticed the same thing as Geoff - ...
by Mark McLean
Wed Nov 10, 2010 1:55 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Archie's No4
Replies: 12
Views: 13961

Re: Archie's No4

That looks like a stunner Archie. Can't see those warts! I love the look of the blackwood neck - amazing strata-look in the heel. I made a 13-fret L00 last year and I really love it. I will make another one soon and if it has fewer mistakes than the last it will be close to my ideal guitar. You real...
by Mark McLean
Tue Nov 09, 2010 9:38 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Finally....the experimental Macca!
Replies: 29
Views: 29919

Re: Finally....the experimental Macca!

I've been stunned by this one all along the way. In the end it looks sensational. All the more for the fact that we know all of the innovations that you have built in. Inspirational. Thanks for sharing.
Mark
by Mark McLean
Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:40 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Best way to radius the fingerboard?
Replies: 19
Views: 17996

Re: Best way to radius the fingerboard?

OK, lots of ideas there. Thanks. I've just finished doing a board by hand with a radius block and lots of (cheap) sandpaper and elbow grease. Got a fair result but it is the last time that I will do it that way! I will be building a sled for the next one. cheers gents.
by Mark McLean
Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:25 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Best way to radius the fingerboard?
Replies: 19
Views: 17996

Best way to radius the fingerboard?

You are viewing a re-constructed thread by the ANZLF recovery team. For more information click here . " Originally Posted on: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:59 pm How do you all get a good radius on the fingerboard if the fret slots are already cut? I have a sanding block with a 16' radius concave surface whi...
by Mark McLean
Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:31 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: First guitar build
Replies: 36
Views: 26478

Re: First guitar build

Hi Bill. I am loving the look of that guitar. I am especially impressed with that workbench!
cheers
Mark
by Mark McLean
Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:20 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Top Bracing Question on my 2nd guitar
Replies: 15
Views: 11566

Re: Top Bracing Question on my 2nd guitar

Yep, if your last one was 4mm and this is <3 you are going to notice a difference. And it doesn't need to be the same thickness all over. The periphery below the waist can be thinner. Keep us posted with your progress.
by Mark McLean
Sat Nov 06, 2010 9:14 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Top Bracing Question on my 2nd guitar
Replies: 15
Views: 11566

Re: Top Bracing Question on my 2nd guitar

When I first saw this I figured that Cumpiano must be using that bracing for an 0-sized guitar. But if you look at that link it is an OM. I have also seen some others with just a single diagonal brace on OM and 000 sized tops (like in a nice article on Froggy Bottom Guitars in the latest Fretboard J...
by Mark McLean
Thu Nov 04, 2010 4:14 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Recordings of a couple of guitars
Replies: 8
Views: 6817

Re: Recordings of a couple of guitars

I'll take one of those CDs too. You guys are sounding great! The guitars both have really nice balance and presence - and are well played to boot.
by Mark McLean
Mon Nov 01, 2010 8:10 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: #5 Acoustic Parlour Guitar
Replies: 23
Views: 22081

Re: #5 Acoustic Parlour Guitar

Alan, that one puts a tick in every box. I love the satin finish - what did you use?

cheers, Mark
by Mark McLean
Mon Nov 01, 2010 12:51 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: jb Guitars - Custom DC
Replies: 9
Views: 11681

Re: jb Guitars - Custom DC

Looks flawless Jason. I would give up my PRS for that one. Hang on - I don't have a PRS. Anyway, you have made me stop thinking about having a PRS. I want that one. OK - just dreaming at the moment, but I might have to talk to you about that one day. Beautiful instrument.
by Mark McLean
Sun Oct 31, 2010 7:19 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: J.F. Custom Signature Model in Multi-scale
Replies: 36
Views: 40519

Re: J.F. Custom Signature Model in Multi-scale

Simply sensational Jeremy. The artistry in the top is inspiring. I want to hear all about it, especially the droptop, when you are allowed to. Nothing wrong with the photos either.
Mark
by Mark McLean
Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:06 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Re-gluing Bridge
Replies: 11
Views: 8237

Re: Re-gluing Bridge

Andrew I don't know if you have discovered the delights of Frank Ford's paes at frets.com? If not you will probably get something from this: http://www.frets.com/fretspages/Luthier/Technique/Guitar/Bridges/SHernandezBridge/shernandezbridge.html and also from this one: http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages...
by Mark McLean
Sat Oct 30, 2010 3:36 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: monkeypod archtop
Replies: 20
Views: 14064

Re: monkeypod archtop

Simply stunning Jeff. I also want a rundown on how you do that tobacco sunburst. What is the pickup?
Impressed!
Mark
by Mark McLean
Thu Oct 28, 2010 7:58 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: bending ebony - it's a snap!
Replies: 56
Views: 53067

Re: bending ebony - it's a snap!

I got back into the workshop last night and tried again to bend some damn ebony. I was now armed with a bit more good advice and with some justification for thinking that if it didn't work I could blame the evil black twigs that I was trying to work with - and then go buy some plastic. What do you k...
by Mark McLean
Thu Oct 28, 2010 8:13 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: bending ebony - it's a snap!
Replies: 56
Views: 53067

Re: bending ebony - it's a snap!

I cannot tell you how much better you have all made me feel! I do like the look of a black-as-the-ace-of-spades set of bindings on the right guitar. And I would prefer to use "real wood" instead of plastic. However, all of this discussion gives me some perspective. I'll try with the pieces of ebony ...