Search found 460 matches

by Steve.Toscano
Thu Feb 08, 2024 10:54 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Re: Modal Tuning Course, Melbourne Notice - Rescheduled
Replies: 3
Views: 15014

Re: Modal Tuning Course, Melbourne Notice - Rescheduled

Highly recommended. Every serious and half serious guitar maker should attend one of Trevors courses.
by Steve.Toscano
Tue Jan 16, 2024 11:55 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Notches for braces in the rims
Replies: 6
Views: 3498

Re: Notches for braces in the rims

I run my back braces all the way through the sides.
Top braces i notched into the kerfing butting them up to the sides.
by Steve.Toscano
Thu Dec 21, 2023 2:32 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: New Flamenco Blanca
Replies: 9
Views: 29599

Re: New Flamenco Blanca

A lovely guitar Steve. I really like the balance of colours and detail, but still remaining simple and elegant. 7mm height of the strings off the soundboard? That is surprisingly low (12-13 would be typical for a steel string). Is that a characteristic feature of the flamenco style (my ignorance), ...
by Steve.Toscano
Tue Dec 12, 2023 12:15 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: New Flamenco Blanca
Replies: 9
Views: 29599

New Flamenco Blanca

Recent completion of one of my Flamenco Blanca models. I love making these, such a fun and challenging build getting the tone right, i always have a couple flamenco builds on the go at any one time. This is blanca build number 37 since my first in 2014. Apart from tone, one of the difficulties in th...
by Steve.Toscano
Tue Nov 28, 2023 10:16 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Guitar Cases
Replies: 35
Views: 68019

Re: Guitar Cases

Anyone know where to get Macassar Ebony fingerboards and 1/4 x 1/2 carbon fiber rods now there is no LMI? Oh, and what about LMI yellow glue that I know and love. Mac Ebony - Maderas barber, and Madinter stock them. CF - I get all mine from carbonfiber.com.au probably dont have the exact size you a...
by Steve.Toscano
Mon Oct 16, 2023 7:48 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: IRW and Spruce Concert Classical
Replies: 6
Views: 26910

Re: IRW and Spruce Concert Classical

Steve that is quite something. In particular the rosette is very attractive and quite different to the tradition. I notice that you do a bit of intonation with a slanting saddle. Is that a carefully calculated amount or just a guestimate? Thanks. Its a guesstimate, but then a check and amendment if...
by Steve.Toscano
Sun Oct 15, 2023 8:57 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: IRW and Spruce Concert Classical
Replies: 6
Views: 26910

IRW and Spruce Concert Classical

Realised I'm overdue for a gallery post. Here's a recent completion, this is one of my standard Concert Classical models. Top: Engelmann Spruce B&S: IRW Neck: Honduras Mahogany Fingerboard / binding /arm rest: West African Ebony Braced: My fan style bracing with carbon fibre. Bridge: Brazilian Rosew...
by Steve.Toscano
Thu Oct 12, 2023 11:23 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Tough times for suppliers?
Replies: 12
Views: 55571

Re: Tough times for suppliers?

They probably trying to grab the market that bought from LMI, which youd think would happen organically anyway.
by Steve.Toscano
Tue Sep 12, 2023 11:21 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: **** Stewmac special on European Spruce *****
Replies: 6
Views: 15605

Re: **** Stewmac special on European Spruce *****

Thats an exceptional price. However my experience in the tops from stewmac has not been positive. Their grading seems to be far lower then others. Occasionally i'll have a student that gets tops from them, more often then not they end up getting sawn up for patching/braces. In saying that, i'm extre...
by Steve.Toscano
Sun Aug 27, 2023 7:16 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: LMI is closing its doors.
Replies: 10
Views: 23583

Re: LMI is closing its doors.

Always good service, always great products. Shame his retiring. The owner is located in Europe, a long way from the business. As to getting some of their serviced products, this might be a good opportunity for us all (me included) to look to more local suppliers, eg. theres a few guys around sydney ...
by Steve.Toscano
Sun Aug 27, 2023 7:08 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Rosewood fretboards
Replies: 1
Views: 10583

Re: Rosewood fretboards

Hey mate.
If you are wanting to offload these as a bulk lot please feel free to give me a call - 0467 647 936.
Cheers
Steve
by Steve.Toscano
Tue Aug 22, 2023 11:39 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: 2024 luthier course?
Replies: 4
Views: 22285

Re: 2024 luthier course?

Hi Kit. I run courses all year round. Most students attend weekly, however i also run 3 week intensive short courses (Normally in January and July each year). I havent finalised dates for next year as i have heaps to work around at my end, but i'll work it out soon. I run these at Hornsby (Sydney), ...
by Steve.Toscano
Mon Jun 12, 2023 1:07 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Warning - Border Control have shifted the goal posts
Replies: 9
Views: 18086

Re: Warning - Border Control have shifted the goal posts

Weird, i send overseas through pack and send (who then use DHL in most cases). Never had to jump through any hoops. Last instrument was valued and insured at $9750 aud. Not the cheapest, but the beauty is they package it all up - i just front up with guitar in a hiscox case they look after the rest,...
by Steve.Toscano
Fri May 26, 2023 11:54 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Student build log
Replies: 4
Views: 14401

Re: Student build log

Steve, I know Ive asked you about this a while back but can you remind me about the procedure for setting up the neck/body join. You make up the body with the neck block with mortise already cut and the neck with tenon cut and bolts set up. Do you do a rough neck rake setting at this stage and then...
by Steve.Toscano
Tue May 23, 2023 12:05 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Student build log
Replies: 4
Views: 14401

Student build log

One of my students - Richard Manton (no not Maton :) ) from my 15 day intensive guitar building course has put up a video of his build log. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/jN-cMi7iAE4 And the guitar being played by an up and comer :lol: :lol: :lol: : https://youtu.be/j16p2xj1ayQ Its an OM, my ta...
by Steve.Toscano
Fri May 12, 2023 9:04 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Cnc operator?
Replies: 2
Views: 11535

Re: Cnc operator?

If you're on Facebook jump on the "Australian Luthier Group" there's a few CNC guys on there.
by Steve.Toscano
Fri May 05, 2023 11:18 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Carbon fiber Nut n saddle
Replies: 15
Views: 18514

Re: Carbon fiber Nut n saddle

Yes, ive done a CF nut and saddle a handful of times for numerous reasons. Few points - It kills your files/saws. - The dust from it is terrible for you. - Aesthetically it looked pretty cool (i buffed them right up). - No real world advantage i found when comparing to bone. My main reason for this...
by Steve.Toscano
Mon May 01, 2023 3:14 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Falcate Braced Guitar No CF
Replies: 13
Views: 26781

Re: Falcate Braced Guitar No CF

Be interested to know the forum's thoughts are regarding the bracing with no CF for this guitar hybrid design build. Im more concerned about the lack of UTB on that top..... :shock: :shock: :shock: However, on closer look at the photo, i reckon that top is not glued to the sides yet (otherwise why ...
by Steve.Toscano
Wed Mar 08, 2023 10:12 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: A question about last lattice guitars built in Australia
Replies: 8
Views: 6935

Re: A question about last lattice guitars built in Australia

Hi, I am reading the CAGD&B book of Trevor Gore and Gerard Gilet, having in view to build a classical guitar. Recently hearing one of the last guitar built by Kim Lissarrague, I am curious about the bracing used by this guy. The back is laminated arched, it's said that the bracing is balsa + CF, in...
by Steve.Toscano
Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:15 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Melbourne Guitar Show
Replies: 8
Views: 7721

Melbourne Guitar Show

Anyone going to the melbourne guitar show next wkd?
If so make sure you drop by my stand and say hi.
by Steve.Toscano
Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:11 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Carbon fiber Nut n saddle
Replies: 15
Views: 18514

Re: Carbon fiber Nut n saddle

Yes, ive done a CF nut and saddle a handful of times for numerous reasons.

Few points
- It kills your files/saws.
- The dust from it is terrible for you.
- Aesthetically it looked pretty cool (i buffed them right up).
- No real world advantage i found when comparing to bone.
by Steve.Toscano
Wed Dec 07, 2022 10:13 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Frets causing back bow
Replies: 8
Views: 11254

Re: Frets causing back bow

Double check the kerf and the fret tangs. I suggest they aren't right.
OR
Try softening the top corners of the slot with a small triangular file.
by Steve.Toscano
Tue Sep 06, 2022 9:36 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Student build - Ebony and Spruce OM
Replies: 5
Views: 18654

Re: Student build - Ebony and Spruce OM

Wow, that is a real head-turner!. The colours and the finish are stunning. Is it heavy? How is ebony to bend? Not too heavy. Well not any more noticeable then say a Rosewood guitar. African ebony is not as difficult to bend as you'd think. Yeah its hard, but we can get there. Even students can do i...
by Steve.Toscano
Tue Sep 06, 2022 9:32 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Student build - Ebony and Spruce OM
Replies: 5
Views: 18654

Re: Student build - Ebony and Spruce OM

lamanoditrento wrote:
Mon Sep 05, 2022 6:55 am
Very nice. Is that satin on front and gloss everywhere else? Lovely
Correct. Nitro.
I keep the amount on the soundboard to an absolute minimum (reduce mass). So never do glossy soundboards (except with shellac on occasion).
by Steve.Toscano
Sat Sep 03, 2022 9:10 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Student build - Ebony and Spruce OM
Replies: 5
Views: 18654

Student build - Ebony and Spruce OM

Sharing a recent student build. Owen just finished his Ebony and Spruce OM. Falcate braced. Nitro finish. She's a stunner. This is Owen's 4th guitar built at my school. Ebony-Spruce-guitar-Sydney-Guitar-course5.jpg Ebony-Spruce-guitar-Sydney-Guitar-course4.jpg Ebony-Spruce-guitar-Sydney-Guitar-cours...