Search found 1072 matches

by Mark McLean
Sun Mar 27, 2022 10:36 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Applying G&G techniques to a kit guitar
Replies: 14
Views: 8937

Re: Applying G&G techniques to a kit guitar

Hi Steve Looks like great progress, after a long break. One of the really good things about instrument building is that the project can just sit and wait until you have the time to get back to it. My projects certainly tend to be like that. The herringbone and bindings look really good. If you are s...
by Mark McLean
Thu Mar 17, 2022 6:02 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Blackwood - Huon Pine Soprano
Replies: 8
Views: 10652

Re: Blackwood - Huon Pine Soprano

Lovely instrument Allen.
I really love huon pine when I have used it in various woodworking projects. Lovely colour, nice to work, smells interesting. But I have never tried it in instruments. What are your thoughts of it as a choice for soundboards, and do you have any tips for working with it?
by Mark McLean
Mon Feb 28, 2022 5:32 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Wall art
Replies: 3
Views: 5058

Re: Wall art

That is a fantastic collection, and really stunning presentation. Did you build the Red Special too? And which one gets played the most?
by Mark McLean
Tue Feb 22, 2022 9:05 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: The scourge of ebony dust
Replies: 5
Views: 4185

Re: The scourge of ebony dust

Yes, the black smudge that gets everywhere. Part of the solution is to keep sandpaper away from the ebony. Use a scraper on it, and then leave it alone. Maybe also seal it with a wipe of shelac while you work on the sensitive pale timbers. I have used ebony bindings and felt your pain, as well as ex...
by Mark McLean
Fri Feb 11, 2022 9:52 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Sharpening very narrow chisel
Replies: 6
Views: 4863

Re: Sharpening very narrow chisel

Nigel - did you build that jig or is it a bought one?
by Mark McLean
Tue Jan 18, 2022 9:35 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Heelless neck joint
Replies: 8
Views: 8513

Re: Heelless neck joint

Yep, I endorse what Graham and Richard said. There is actually no need for the heel, very good reasons to eliminate it, and a number of good options to attach the neck in another way. Here is one I made following Graham’s plan, with a hollow neck block (a bouzouki style body, but you could do the sa...
by Mark McLean
Sat Jan 15, 2022 7:57 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Sydney Guitar Making Course - Intensive, Jan 2022 photo journal - very photo heavy
Replies: 30
Views: 31075

Re: Sydney Guitar Making Course - Intensive, Jan 2022 photo journal - very photo heavy

That looks completely awesome - and exhausting. The quality of work that I can see there is fantastic, and it must be really inspiring for the five of them to be there working together (as well as for you, Steve). How is the humidity - down the road from you the RH in my workshop is 88% today and th...
by Mark McLean
Fri Jan 14, 2022 12:25 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Froggy Bottom P12
Replies: 10
Views: 6535

Re: Froggy Bottom P12

Peter, the usual reason that pictures won’t load is that the file size is too big. You can’t upload the pictures straight from your phone or camera at 2mb per photo. There is a separate thread pinned near the top of the index home page which walks you throu how to post pictures. Give it a go - we wo...
by Mark McLean
Tue Jan 11, 2022 6:20 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Shed advice
Replies: 16
Views: 19280

Re: Shed advice

How much instrument building do you plan to do? Is this just a weekend hobby, building one or two per year, or are you going to start a business and be doing it 40 hours per week? I ask because the issue of RH control is very important, but only at certain stages of the building process (when bracin...
by Mark McLean
Sun Jan 09, 2022 9:39 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Grain Runout
Replies: 2
Views: 2357

Re: Grain Runout

Runout is not thought to have bad effects on sound quality of instruments. If you book match a two piece soundboard with runout you get a different appearance of the colour of the timber under finish in each half. C95B3E5B-2AD1-4445-863E-BC866C8384C8.jpeg This is a cosmetic problem rather than a str...
by Mark McLean
Sat Jan 01, 2022 10:46 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Adjustable necks - revisiting the epic ANZLF discussion of 2008
Replies: 3
Views: 3147

Re: Adjustable necks - revisiting the epic ANZLF discussion of 2008

Well, Trevor is making adjustable necks now too. I am hoping that he will show us what he has been up to in the third edition of the books - if he just gets his finger out and writes it (I mean, how hard can it be?) Greg - I did see that video a while back, thanks for reminding me. It is a take on t...
by Mark McLean
Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:20 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Adjustable necks - revisiting the epic ANZLF discussion of 2008
Replies: 3
Views: 3147

Adjustable necks - revisiting the epic ANZLF discussion of 2008

I am planning two new builds and want to try adjustable necks. One or both will be carved archtops, which is also a new venture for me. I have been reading as much as I can about adjustable neck designs and rediscovered the fantastic forum discussion from 2008 - an absolute epic at 15 pages and >350...
by Mark McLean
Thu Dec 30, 2021 10:55 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Christmas family gathering
Replies: 2
Views: 4752

Re: Christmas family gathering

Great job. Two completions at once is a cause for celebration, and I bet the new owners are thrilled
by Mark McLean
Sat Dec 18, 2021 2:46 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Public announcement
Replies: 4
Views: 4126

Re: Public announcement

Thanks for the heads-up Rod. I am in the market for some and I am actually on my way from Sydney to Melbourne right now. Once I unpack the chrissy presents for my kids and grandkids I will have quite a bit of spare room in the car for the trip home. Geez I hope they are open.......
by Mark McLean
Sat Dec 04, 2021 8:30 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Froggy Bottom P12
Replies: 10
Views: 6535

Re: Froggy Bottom P12

Peter, you have built two guitars that you are happy with so you are obviously doing it well. But if you make the next one deliberately a bit lighter you might find it could be even better; especially if it is a small body. Kerfed linings or solid linings both work just fine. Solid linings are stiff...
by Mark McLean
Thu Dec 02, 2021 10:45 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Froggy Bottom P12
Replies: 10
Views: 6535

Re: Froggy Bottom P12

Top thickness is a debatable thing. Factories like Martin or Taylor make guitars to fixed dimensional specifications, and make a fairly good guitar most of the time. For a small body guitar top (steel string) an industry standard would be something like 2.5mm. But when you build your own instrument ...
by Mark McLean
Wed Dec 01, 2021 10:45 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Froggy Bottom P12
Replies: 10
Views: 6535

Re: Froggy Bottom P12

You could use a parlor style plan like the one for a 1918 Martin 1 series which is available at the Guild of American Luthiers website, and the same plan is also sold by LMI. The FroggyBottom P model is marginally longer and wider in the body than the Martin 1, but is very close with similar shape a...
by Mark McLean
Tue Nov 16, 2021 10:55 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Twisted
Replies: 7
Views: 4781

Re: Twisted

You could try to twist it back, or you could plane it flat. Interestingly, there was a recent thread at the OLF discussing the idea of intentionally producing a twist just like yours to make a more ergonomic neck for the players hand. Check it out here: http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.p...
by Mark McLean
Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:14 pm
Forum: Jigs & Fixtures
Topic: Brace clamps
Replies: 2
Views: 12758

Re: Brace clamps

Hi Dave
That looks simple, cheap and effective - with good access for cleaning up the glue squeeze out. But I assume it has to be a dead flat back?
cheers
Mark
by Mark McLean
Wed Oct 13, 2021 9:36 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Newbie introduction
Replies: 8
Views: 7904

Re: Newbie introduction

Welcome Ricky "First guitar sounds better than a factory build - but a bit ugly in places" We can all relate to that. I bet it feels better than a factory job too? It sounds like you are getting yourself sorted out for building really well. Tools will accumulate slowly, together with ideas for futur...
by Mark McLean
Wed Oct 13, 2021 5:44 am
Forum: Tutorials
Topic: Growing Dalbergia Latifolia, East Indian Rosewood
Replies: 4
Views: 12123

Re: Growing Dalbergia Latifolia, East Indian Rosewood

Hi Alex
I love this idea. Do you think they will grow sufficiently without monsoonal weather? At least we have La Nina settling in for the next season or two so Gippsland might seem a bit monsoonal!
by Mark McLean
Mon Sep 27, 2021 10:53 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Maple & Red Spruce OM - Beach guitar
Replies: 6
Views: 6497

Re: Maple & Red Spruce OM - Beach guitar

Definitely going to be the sexiest thing on the beach this summer
by Mark McLean
Mon Sep 20, 2021 6:51 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Bandsaw recommendations
Replies: 20
Views: 20930

Re: Bandsaw recommendations

I agree with the discussion so far. If you decide not to resaw then you can get by with a cheaper band-saw. I have a lower spec 14" Hafco from H&F. I think it is the BP-360. It does everything I need, quite adequately. A friend and neighbor has a very flash Laguna which I could beg the use of if I n...
by Mark McLean
Sat Sep 04, 2021 6:27 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Finding the High Points
Replies: 9
Views: 8629

Re: Finding the High Points

Good luck with it Colin, and let us all know if you hit any trouble. The left/right adjustment of the neck alignment is made by fine adjustments of the cheeks of the heel, bearing against the exterior of the guitar body - not by adjusting the tenon. That is what Trent and Allen meant when they said ...