Search found 1072 matches

by Mark McLean
Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:13 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Truss rods
Replies: 25
Views: 19662

Re: Truss rods

I haven't tried the Stew-Mac ones, but most of their stuff is very decent. The most widely used truss rods by ANZLF members seem to be the double action truss rods from Allied Lutherie. We have had a couple of ANZLF group buys and many of us have stocked up on them. They have a 6:1 gearing which mea...
by Mark McLean
Tue Jun 12, 2012 6:36 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Canberra Modal Tuning Course
Replies: 25
Views: 25662

Re: Canberra Modal Tuning Course

It was a fantastic weekend. I experienced a quantum leap in understanding how a guitar works and how I might try to build one that works better. Trevor is a great teacher as well as a very good luthier. We had 9 guitar nerds, a shit-load of beautiful guitars/ukes (and a bouzouki), 3 whole days to do...
by Mark McLean
Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:02 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Finally Finished
Replies: 6
Views: 6464

Re: Finally Finished

Man, that does not look like a first-time build. Are you holding out on us?
Very nicely executed. Quite Olsonesque (especially around the bridge and the overall shape). Nice woods and a very nice finish.
Congrats Leigh
Mark
by Mark McLean
Tue Jun 05, 2012 7:52 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Another nice wood from behind my yard
Replies: 24
Views: 19151

Re: Another nice wood from behind my yard

Does mango wood smell sweet also?
That is an awesome guitar Jeffrey. You are the master builder for this style of instrument.
cheers
Mark
by Mark McLean
Tue Jun 05, 2012 6:28 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Another nice wood from behind my yard
Replies: 24
Views: 19151

Re: Another nice wood from behind my yard

Stunning Jeffrey. You are knocking out fair dinkum works of art. Is it camphor laurel? If so it would smell amazing as well.
Congratulations
Mark
by Mark McLean
Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:37 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Spokeshave
Replies: 26
Views: 20989

Re: Spokeshave

The Veritas is good. I have their flat spokeshave and it does a great job in neck carving on the long segments. Doesn't get into the very tight bits but I use rasps and files there. Can't speak about the HNT.

Mark
by Mark McLean
Fri Jun 01, 2012 6:06 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Where to get good veneers?
Replies: 33
Views: 26366

Re: Where to get good veneers?

Constantines is an online supplier in the US. http://www.constantines.com/ They have a big variety of veneers, including lots of nice figured burl and crotch timbers. They are about a foot square, so fine for things like rosettes and headstock veneers, but not big enough for a whole guitar drop-top....
by Mark McLean
Sun May 20, 2012 8:34 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: What I found in the shed.
Replies: 2
Views: 4569

Re: What I found in the shed.

I thought I had too many guitars around the house. But if you are losing some, and finding others that you forgot about years later, Man, you have some guitars. I only say this out of envy, you understand. Is that a good one for your nephew to play on? For sure. He probably doesn't even know yet whe...
by Mark McLean
Mon May 14, 2012 5:13 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: The Improved Rosette Cutter
Replies: 150
Views: 152083

Re: The Improved Rosette Cutter

Hi guys
I have been away for a couple of weeks and I have just caught up on this exciting thread. Very nice idea - well executed. I will join the queue for one as well.
cheers
Mark
by Mark McLean
Sat May 05, 2012 5:18 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: The Best Beard in Australian Luthierdom
Replies: 6
Views: 6481

Re: The Best Beard in Australian Luthierdom

OK, now you have our attention. What can you tell us?

Mark
by Mark McLean
Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:50 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: what glue to use
Replies: 19
Views: 14342

Re: what glue to use

Eric All depends on the application. Selley's white glue is fine for rough woodworking but I don't think it should be used for anything in guitar making. There is only one joint where it might be a good choice and that is in gluing the fingerboard extension down to the soundboard. This is because it...
by Mark McLean
Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:23 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Martin 73 00-21 Top timber?
Replies: 25
Views: 20181

Re: Martin 73 00-21 Top timber?

Rob That saddle is pretty low. There is not muck break angle left on the 3rd and 4th strings. You could cut some string ramps to improve the bearing pressure of those strings on the saddle. It might deliver a bit more volume and punch. How is the action? A neck reset is like a valve grind in an old ...
by Mark McLean
Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:22 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Old French Bass full Restoration
Replies: 237
Views: 199338

Re: Old French Bass full Restoration

Thanks for that link Markus. That is a very clear and well illustrated guide to a useful technique.
Mark
by Mark McLean
Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:30 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Martin 73 00-21 Top timber?
Replies: 25
Views: 20181

Re: Martin 73 00-21 Top timber?

And I forgot to mention - that's a very nice sideboard also!
by Mark McLean
Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:11 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Martin 73 00-21 Top timber?
Replies: 25
Views: 20181

Re: Martin 73 00-21 Top timber?

Definitely looks like sitka. And there aren't many cedar topped Martins out there. Cedar tops, at the age of nearly 40, are usually very suntanned to deep brown, and also very dinged (it is so soft). Cool guitar!
by Mark McLean
Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:31 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: A couple of new sympathetic string fiddles
Replies: 21
Views: 19513

Re: A couple of new sympathetic string fiddles

Graham
They are just stunning, original and brilliantly executed. The cat figure on the pegbox, instead of the traditional scroll, is really great also. I am looking forward to your show and tell in American Lutherie- it will really get some attention there. Well done!

Mark
by Mark McLean
Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:21 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Trevor Gore Course
Replies: 45
Views: 35115

Re: Trevor Gore Course

I am still OK for the Queen's Birthday weekend. I will drive down from Sydney so I could offer a ride to Scott if need be.

m
by Mark McLean
Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:14 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Malaysia Spring
Replies: 14
Views: 11645

Re: Malaysia Spring

That is a brilliant technique Jeff. Thanks for sharing it!
Mark
by Mark McLean
Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:09 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Trevor Gore Course
Replies: 45
Views: 35115

Re: Trevor Gore Course

I would be OK for the June long weekend
Mark
by Mark McLean
Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:48 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Trevor Gore Course
Replies: 45
Views: 35115

Re: Trevor Gore Course

I would be keen to be a part of it. I am in Sydney, but a trip to Canberra would be fine by me also. It would depend on fitting it around work commitments (there are a few weeks when I would be unavailable in May). It would be really cool to meet a few of you guys in the flesh.
Mark
by Mark McLean
Sun Apr 08, 2012 5:30 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Weissenborn Copy #5
Replies: 7
Views: 7064

Re: Weissenborn Copy #5

I agree - it is a great look. Tru-oil is pretty user-friendly too. Did you fill the pores first?
by Mark McLean
Sun Apr 08, 2012 5:27 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Using 3-phase tools in a home workshop?
Replies: 7
Views: 7211

Re: Using 3-phase tools in a home workshop?

Thanks Gents. From what you have told me it is clear that I don't want to be going to that trouble and expense for my fairly modest needs. It is a lot more sawing power than I can justify. Would be nice though.......
Mark
by Mark McLean
Sun Apr 08, 2012 3:59 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Weissenborn Copy #5
Replies: 7
Views: 7064

Re: Weissenborn Copy #5

Alan
That is a very sweet and clean looking guitar. Gorgeous blackwood and just the right amount of understated decoration. Love it!
That non-gloss finish is really effective on the blackwood - what did you use?
cheers
Mark
by Mark McLean
Sun Apr 08, 2012 3:44 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Using 3-phase tools in a home workshop?
Replies: 7
Views: 7211

Using 3-phase tools in a home workshop?

I want a table saw and this one is on offer only 2 suburbs away from me. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220994606004&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:AU:1123 The seller has another industrial grade table saw available as well. They both use 3-phase power but I only have domestic single-p...
by Mark McLean
Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:38 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Plans for a double neck acoustic guitar
Replies: 8
Views: 9358

Re: Plans for a double neck acoustic guitar

I haven't seen plans for making one. Joe Veillette sells a double-neck model (6 and 12-string). His webpage gives some specs and has a video of someone doing a pretty good job of playing one.

http://www.veilletteguitars.com/