another Newbie in Perth

[Ron]

Hi all,

Ron here in Perth developing a growing desire to make an acoustic guitar or three as I read more of your fine forum, the tone and content indicate some extremely knowledgable and friendly folk from my observations so far.

I have really enjoyed attempting to play guitar (badly, but I still enjoy trying) on and off over the last 40 years, am semi-retired and investigating new activities to occupy my time and further stimulate my musical interests. Like probably many of you, I get an irresistible urge to go into every guitar store I happen to wander past, and have always been amazed at the disparity of sound and build quality to price from so many guitars over the years. What better way to solve that mystery than to build it myself and understand what choices and compromises deliver what sounds.

It will be quite a challenge as my last real foray into woodworking was in high school, but what the heck, a great excuse to get acquainted with hand tools and timber.

At this point I am into the “heavy research” phase of my new potential addiction and reading whatever I can get my hands on to try to understand the full scope of what is in front of me. My local library delivered “Step-by-Step Guitar Making” by Alex Willis which is an interesting overview and a copy of “Guitarmaking: Tradition and Technology” by Cumpiano and Natelson is in the mail.

Several renovations around the house will consume my time this year but I will be seriously looking for an acoustic guitar building course early next year. Perth area would be ideal but I will travel interstate if none of the WA luthiers have the time or capacity spare.

[kiwigeo]

Welcome to the forum Ron, good to have you on board.

Re Campiano and Natelson, note that this book is now fairly old and Campiano has changed some aspects of his construction method (eg neck/body joint). Check out his website for discussion on same. I'd encourage you to get a hold of a few other more recently written books...eg Courtnals Making Master Guitars if youre into classicals or Bogdanovich's steel string making book.

If you've got a bit of spare cash and you want exposure to cutting edge luthiery then get your mitts on Trevor Gore and Gerard Gilet's two book set Contemporary Acoustic Guitar design and Build. If I was to have only one book in my workshop this would be the one.

[Ron]

Thanks Martin. Contemporary Acoustic Guitar Design and Build is definitely in my sights for a reference book although reading some of the comments and questions to Trevor in that sub forum gave me the impression it was aimed more for the practicing luthier than a completely inexperienced beginner such as myself.
I will keep an eye out for the Bogdanovich book as well.

cheers, Ron

[auscab]

Hi Ron,
welcome here , it's amazing and nice to see how many people are showing up since Martins Thread " Introductions a polite request"
it's a good sort of Ice breaker I think.
good one Martin

Ron If you get hooked you may find a library of books on your shelf in a year or two.
The GG books would have to be on the shelf, but For me I'm wanting to be able to fly an ultralight before I jump into the space shuttle

[ozziebluesman]

Great to meet you Ron. Enjoy the forum, it is a great place to talk guitar building and learn from each other.

Cheers

Alan

[Mark McLean]

Hi Ron
Welcome to the mob. Regarding books, when trying my first build (with a similar lack of experience to yours) I bought the Cumpiano book and also Jonathan Kinkead's Build Your Own Acoustic Guitar. I found that the more modern and picture-heavy book by Kinkead was of much more practical use (and it is cheap, and includes a pretty useful plan of an OM style acoustic). By the time I am half a dozen guitars into this hobby I am really digging into Gore and Gilet. Not to say that Cumpiano won't get you there - but there is a lot of outmoded technique in it.
Just make sure that you enjoy the journey.
cheers
Mark

[simso]

Drop me a line, when your interested, I, dependant on my time can help you get started or give advice as required

Steve

[Nick]

Welcome Ron, hope you enjoy our little corner of the world.

[Ron]

Thanks all for the warm welcome. I will also add Kinkead's book to my watch list, looking at the preview on Amazon the coverage and style seems quite good.

Steve, I will definitely aim to catchup and chat sometime later this year once I clear some renovation building tasks thank you so much for the offer. Currently building a 6 x 3 small studio/workshop in the backyard for the dearly beloved to house her kilns and glass artwork habit. Makes her cosy and gives me all of the garage back to start setting up.

[Bob Connor]

G'day Ron and welcome.

You should try and get up to Tim Spittle's Tonewood Emporium if you haven't already. Second largest collection of tonewood in the country apparently.

Regards

[Paul B]

Don't tell, me, let me guess....

The largest collection of tone wood in Australia is... Marty's?

Welcome aboard Ron. Cumpiano's book is a good starting point, that's where I started, it gives a solid grounding in the basics, you can make a fine guitar with just that book (and the online updates) alone. But read everything you can get your hands on.

Looking forward to seeing your work.

Paul

[Kim]

Gday Ron, welcome to the ANZLF

I agree with others. The Johnny Boy Natleson & Billy Bob Cumpiano book gives some great detail on proper technique and methodical practice. That alone makes it a valuable resource because it helps get the left side of the brain where it need to be, but...the process is quite dated. Kinkead's book on the other hand is much more right brained. The process is more modern so the information from one to the other is not interchangeable. But the many images in Kinkead's book do help to reassure the right that the left actually knows what its doing as you progress making them both worth having as refferance until you find your feet.

That said, the greatest resource is at your finger tips because online build threads can answer sooooo many questions that they leave most books behind for the noob. This is because many carry something which publishers 'never' allow..the warts and all, and the next best thing to leqarning from your own mistakes is to learn from the mistakes of otheres.

I must also agree with Bob...you are very fortunate, you live in Perth. Therefore you simply 'must' make contact with Tim Spittle...http://www.australiantonewoods.com/ . Tim is a great bloke and has an amazing selection of wood. He also has some great advise so don't just browse his website, give him a call and make a time to drop in to his place in Bassendean for a first hand look see...you will not regret it.

Cheers

Kim