Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Hi Alan,

This is sure to be a cracker, it will be interesting to see how this paperbark works out tonally.
You certainly packed a lot into one session!! keep it up.

Cheers,

Christian.

Hey Nick and Col, I do add pre bent linings they are very thin only 2.5mmx 10mm you will find you don't really need much in the way of a lining if you don't have binding or purfling to worry about. yip my bender has light bulbs three 150W. I found by lining the area with tin foil it heats up my stee...

It might help if I actually attached the next pics!!
here they are.

Cheers,

Christian.

I think you are talking about the side profile. I took a finished guitar and traced the side profile on some thin card, noting the the waist curve as a reference point. Then copied that to a piece of MDF and accurately made a template for it. So once the side is bent it should line up with the back ...

Hi Col,

Gotcha, yip the the amount is insignificant.

Cheers,

Christian.

Hi Nick, I'm not sure what you mean by the difference in the profiles?. The top and back are radiused as per a normal build. the side,back and top templates are exactly the shape of the finished guitar. I start at 3mm thick for both the top and back, after mitring I thickness according to stiffness....

Hi Steve,

Thanks, for the comments.
Indeed no trim on this one, pure form.

Cheers,

Christian.

After seeing Steve's build this guitar is looking positively ordinary.
Still we all have our own aesthetic and mine at the moment is this clean look.
The next set of photos are of the back being braced, and the sides machined and bent on the trusty side bender.

Cheers,

Christian.

Hi Steve,

Thanks for sharing , what an exceptional build pure class all the way!! +1 what bill said would love to see the inlay's close up.
That mango wood is incredible.

Cheers,

Christian.

Alan you and the missus are in for a cracker trip!!! Sadly the best I can do is wave as you sail on down to Aucks.
I am very surprised you are not stopping in the Bay of Islands!!

Cheers,

Christian.

The next 10 pics are the sequence to cut out the koru soundhole and top bracing. Cheers, Christian http://www.christiandruery.com/images/21koru.jpg http://www.christiandruery.com/images/22koru.jpg http://www.christiandruery.com/images/23koru.jpg http://www.christiandruery.com/images/24koru.jpg http:...

yes a 45deg bit.

Christian.

Yeah Jim this MDF is a strange one its chipboard with 2mm veneers of some kind of MDF, its cheap and works well for jigs. @ Martin, Nick yip we certainly plundered out natives if only they had some foresight and saved it all just for guitars it would be one super asset!!!. If you ever get the chance...

Hi Guys, There seemed to be bit of interest from the good folk on here regarding a build thread I had posted on another forum so I thought I would share it on here. It's nothing spectacular just a clean looking build utilising my beloved New Zealand natives. It features Kahikatea for the top which i...

I tell you what would really upset him... start hiding a few tools. hahaha
I remember claiming my Dads workshop early on. I didn't look back!!!
It's pretty cool that you can share this fantastic hobby with your son, even if you have been relegated a little.

Cheers,

Christian.

hahaha, perhaps a slither or two of CF won't go a miss.

Christian.

Thanks for the valuable info guys!!
I can't get over that huge slot cut in the top. I gotta say i'm a little worried about these. Especially if it needs fine tuning because my building style isn't the most practical for adjustments.
Thanks again.
Christian

Hi,

Has any one out there installed a Maton AP5 pickup? and know where I might be able to purchase one?
I have a customer who is requesting one, and I know little or anything about them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Christian.

Thanks again for the generous comments guys, especially Nick... Master!! give us all another 20years and maybe we will get to that status.@Rod I had the soundhole and fretboard inlays laser cut, so quick and perfect every time.
Cheers,

Christian.

Thanks guys! @ Matt the mitred body is reasonably straight forward, you have to make exact templates of your top/back and sides. rout the mitre on each component before bracing and bending. When ready you literally glue and tape the whole guitar together. @ Nick, the client showed me the initial des...

Hi, I finished this guitar during the week, The customer wanted a slightly different take on my usual builds. I gotta say I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Specs are Kauri top, Heart Rimu back and sides, Puriri fretboard & bridge, Kauri neck, paua inlays, Kowhaiwhai soundport and soundhole, brass f...

If I had a blue ribbon on hand I would pin it on this instrument!!!
absolutely beautiful !!! congrats Liam!!

Wow what a cracker Paul!!! looks fantastic, such a warmth in your combo of timbers and perfectly executed.
I will shortly be joining the Uke gang with my own take on it.

Cheers,

Christian.

Thanks again for the kind comments guys!
I actually prefer any top now that has colour and streaks over the plain tops, for one I think it helps my offset soundhole designs.

Cheers,

Christian.

Thanks for all the kind comments guys!! @Steve a SLR camera is the way to go to take really nice photos. Just a simple black back ground, long exposure a little tinkering in photoshop. @Nick this guitar is going to be a touring sample in the US. Fingers crossed people like it. @Miguel I use a Eco wa...