Search found 1072 matches

by Mark McLean
Fri Aug 19, 2011 5:53 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Blackwood and Engleman
Replies: 13
Views: 11135

Re: Blackwood and Engleman

Beutiful stuff Rod. That combination of woods is great.

We definitely need to know a bit more about how you did the checkerboard-style end graft.............(please).

Mark
by Mark McLean
Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:48 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: I've been busy
Replies: 11
Views: 12854

Re: I've been busy

Outstanding work Peter. Everything from the tuner buttons to the tailpiece exudes class and beutiful workmanship. I also love the finish that you are getting. What are you using (sorry, I think you have told us before but I forget). All of the timbers look great. The maple is my favourite just for l...
by Mark McLean
Wed Aug 10, 2011 8:37 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: #1 Acoustic Finished
Replies: 10
Views: 11127

Re: #1 Acoustic Finished

Hi Tod
That looks like a beauty - very blonde. The workmanship looks great. I especially like the figure in the neck and the satin finish. What are you planning for number 2?
cheers
Mark
by Mark McLean
Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:20 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Bunya/ Sassafras Parlor
Replies: 11
Views: 12404

Re: Bunya/ Sassafras Parlor

Nice job Brett. Great looking guitar. I am building with the same wood combination at the moment so I was very interested to see how it looks - and it is a very nice combination. I know what you mean about bending ebony bindings. I snapped plenty of them on my last build and I am not keen to try it ...
by Mark McLean
Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:08 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: New Luthier Tips du Jour video - Tru Oil
Replies: 43
Views: 38861

Re: New Luthier Tips du Jour video - Tru Oil

Thanks Robbie. Nice tutorial. I have used Tru Oil on 2 guitars and I really like it for a simply applied satin (or semi-gloss) finish. It is very easy to apply - as you demonstrated. Doesn't smell as good as FP or Danish Oil, but it seems to come up with a more durable and solid result. cheers Mark
by Mark McLean
Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:59 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: What I've been up to
Replies: 11
Views: 9032

Re: What I've been up to

Fantastic stuff Dom - and no two alike! I, too, feel a bit in awe of that productivity. Some of those tops are going on cutaway bodies - I was surprised to see them braced up as if for a non-cutaway. Do you just chop off the excess bit together with its section of the UTB? I have only made 1 cutaway...
by Mark McLean
Thu Apr 28, 2011 6:33 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Hello to all, and a minor catastrophe...
Replies: 12
Views: 10811

Re: Hello to all, and a minor catastrphe...

Hi Matt. Welcome to ANZLF, and to this very addictive hobby! It looks like you are making good progress with Number 1, and the side bending obviously worked out OK. It is a terrible moment when something like that slip happens, but we have all done it and nearly everything is recoverable. That lacer...
by Mark McLean
Thu Apr 28, 2011 5:59 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: First Time's a Charm
Replies: 5
Views: 4958

Re: First Time's a Charm

Looks beaut!
It is a great feeling to shoot a good joint (even if it takes ages chasing that one high bit) - and then to get it glued tight. Looks like nice blackwood.
Mark
by Mark McLean
Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:34 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Beginner/Bunnings woods
Replies: 16
Views: 20469

Re: Beginner/Bunnings woods

For spruce brace wood there is the idea of getting pallet material from whitegoods suppliers. See this thread that was started by Geoff Branch a little while ago. http://www.anzlf.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2581&p=31895#p31895 The delivery cases for Meile appliances have German spruce frames. Your loca...
by Mark McLean
Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:19 am
Forum: Instrument Plans
Topic: Guild of American Lutherie Plans
Replies: 1
Views: 18303

Guild of American Lutherie Plans

Classic, Flamenco, Steel String, Archtop, Early Guitars, Harp Guitars, Acoustic Bass, Ukulele and Other Guitar-like Styles.
Cost $18-$30
http://luth.org/plans/archtop.htm
by Mark McLean
Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:08 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: OM guitar #2
Replies: 17
Views: 16694

Re: OM guitar #2

Peter Your guitars are really looking good. All that mando experience obviously translates straight into guitar building. Tassie Oak from Bunning's??!! How many pieces did you have to sort through to find some good enough for luthery? Anyway, I guess the savings can go towards those nice looking (bu...
by Mark McLean
Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:31 pm
Forum: Tutorials
Topic: Video Demo - Buffing Lacquer
Replies: 13
Views: 17147

Re: Video Demo - Buffing Lacquer

Thanks Allen. In <4 minutes of video you have told me heaps that I wanted to know and got me over my anxiety about trying this sort of approach to a gloss finish.

cheers

Mark
by Mark McLean
Tue Mar 15, 2011 10:41 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: crazy questions
Replies: 6
Views: 6431

Re: crazy questions

You do see some acoustics with hardwood soundboards, eg all mahogany Martin 15 and 17 series, Guild M25 (Nick Drake style), and there are lots of stunning looking all koa guitars around. Also, check out the Taylor W series (all walnut). You are right that the tops on those can be made thinner (at le...
by Mark McLean
Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:38 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Grain/Pore Filler
Replies: 13
Views: 17796

Re: Grain/Pore Filler

You could just go with an oil type finish all the way. Scandinavian oil doesn't harden as much as some of the other options such as Tru-Oil or PNZ Hard Oil. I have used Tru-Oil on two acoustics and it hardens up well (after a few weeks of curing). I used the PNZ on the latest one and I think it is e...
by Mark McLean
Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:16 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Bob - can you explain your neck join system?
Replies: 7
Views: 6801

Re: Bob - can you explain your neck join system?

Thanks Bob. That picture explains it well. I'll give it a go with the one I am starting now. But don't hold your breath - I build slow.
You are right Kim, that double bolt looks like you could tow a boat with it. A very tidy system.
Mark
by Mark McLean
Wed Feb 23, 2011 10:57 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Bob - can you explain your neck join system?
Replies: 7
Views: 6801

Bob - can you explain your neck join system?

Back in November there was a thread about neck bolting systems. http://www.anzlf.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2604&hilit=neck+bolt Bob, you posted a picture of the system that you are using with a butt joint of the heel to the body, but a fingerboard extension that sits in a routed slot in the body. It l...
by Mark McLean
Wed Feb 23, 2011 10:02 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Does bracing need to be quarter sawn?
Replies: 11
Views: 9823

Re: Does bracing need to be quarter sawn?

Hi Daniel Yep, you want your bracing to stay nice and straight. All wood will swell and shrink with inevitable changes in humidity. Quarter sawn wood will tend to do that only in one dimension, whereas wood with a curve in the line of the grain will be inclined to bend, skew or twist. If it is a bra...
by Mark McLean
Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:48 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: hi, I am new to the fourm.
Replies: 14
Views: 11334

Re: hi, I am new to the fourm.

Hi Daniel Welcome to the daft world of DIY guitar building - a very addictive hobby. I agree with the advice that you have been given so far. I started fairly recently and have built 3 instruments. Interestingly, my second was a mahogany and adirondack (red spruce) L-00, so we have similar thoughts ...
by Mark McLean
Tue Feb 01, 2011 5:57 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Australian Tonewoods New Web Site
Replies: 6
Views: 6434

Re: Australian Tonewoods New Web Site

Looks good Tim. Very easy to navigate and looks clean and efficient. I'll be laying down the credit card soon!
Mark
by Mark McLean
Sun Jan 30, 2011 1:12 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: OM#5 finished - and an opinion on pickguard sought
Replies: 7
Views: 7784

Re: OM#5 finished - and an opinion on pickguard sought

Dave that is a truly unique looking guitar and beautifully executed. The quilting on the back and sides is hard to believe. I haven't seen Rewarewa used for a rosette and headstock like that and it is really nice - a perfect accompanyment to the other timbers, and a good NZ signature. I am not alway...
by Mark McLean
Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:06 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Australian woods for tops
Replies: 25
Views: 24292

Re: Australian woods for tops

Hey Bob, congratulations on the award. That is really impressive!
by Mark McLean
Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:39 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: A recent OM
Replies: 18
Views: 20969

Re: A recent OM

Tim
That is just beautiful all round - the instrument, the tune and the playing. I can see why it would bring a lump to your throat.
Keep making them!
Mark
by Mark McLean
Wed Dec 22, 2010 7:07 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Bracing and other questions
Replies: 3
Views: 4157

Re: Bracing and other questions

Hi Aidan I used the Kinkade book for my first guitar and thought it was very good. You definitely need a detailed plan. The book comes with one for a 000 or OM. If you want a different style you can get plans from many places (see the plans section of this forum). If you don't want an OM a L-00 is a...
by Mark McLean
Thu Dec 16, 2010 10:19 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Build progress on #2 -- the top is done
Replies: 3
Views: 3577

Re: Build progress on #2 -- the top is done

Looking very neat and sweet Paul. Centre join cleat and soundhole binding are nice touches. How thick is the soundboard? I am interested in other peoples experience with the "PMTE". I have included something similar in a curent build. I believe that Mario Proulx usually makes them from hardwood rath...
by Mark McLean
Tue Nov 30, 2010 6:20 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: New Luthier Tips du Jour video - rosettes
Replies: 5
Views: 5041

Re: New Luthier Tips du Jour video - rosettes

I really loved this one Robbie. Very clear, as always. It is great to see that gallery of rosettes at the end - really inspirational, and makes me realize what a great sharing community the luthier world is.
Mark