Search found 414 matches

by vandenboom
Fri Mar 08, 2024 4:35 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Archtop build pics
Replies: 4
Views: 372

Archtop build pics

Hi all I said a while ago I'd put some pics of my 2023 build : 7-string left handed jazz archtop based on a Benedetto design. Colour in the top was a first for me. Main timbers : Engelman carved spruce top, Tassie blackwood carved back & sides, Tassie oak neck. Thnx for looking. Special thnx to Rod ...
by vandenboom
Thu Jan 25, 2024 5:27 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Martin Parlor design queries
Replies: 6
Views: 1225

Re: Martin Parlor design queries

That's pretty poor Ken. Dunno where they get them from - they have their name on them. The first set I got ended up being for a solid body electric - they needed a 2nd try to get it right. I was going to buy plans from Allied Lutherie but shipping was ridiculous. I will heed yr warning when I get in...
by vandenboom
Tue Jan 23, 2024 8:17 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Martin Parlor design queries
Replies: 6
Views: 1225

Re: Martin Parlor design queries

Thnx gents. Will do same. I'll have to consider the 5 ladder braces on the plan and the extent to which I reduce them.
Frank
by vandenboom
Tue Jan 23, 2024 3:26 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Martin Parlor design queries
Replies: 6
Views: 1225

Martin Parlor design queries

Hi all Long time between visits but still averaging about 1 build per year. Just finishing off a 7 string left handed Benedetto style archtop. Will put some pics when complete. Just got some plans from ALS for a Parlor. All the steel strings I have built have had arched tops & backs. Parlor is flat ...
by vandenboom
Fri Jan 12, 2024 5:50 pm
Forum: Jigs & Fixtures
Topic: Fretboard shaping jig
Replies: 9
Views: 20681

Re: Fretboard shaping jig

Thnx Wayne - I did see your post when I was sifting through the jigs posts.
I hadn't seen those bits before.
I just love making clever jigs.....Cheers. Frank
by vandenboom
Wed Jan 10, 2024 12:10 pm
Forum: Jigs & Fixtures
Topic: Fretboard shaping jig
Replies: 9
Views: 20681

Re: Fretboard shaping jig

A very old thread but I love its simplicity. 2 questions. Are you still using it? When tracing a curve onto the rails, I figure you need to allow for the small distance from the bottom of the curved rail to the top of the fretboard. So if that distance is 1/2", then to achieve a 12" fb radius, the r...
by vandenboom
Wed Apr 12, 2023 4:57 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Carbatec 400m Drum Sander Problem
Replies: 35
Views: 43213

Re: Carbatec 400m Drum Sander Problem

Taffy Good that you might have found a way of getting it to lock in. Sounds similar to my approach. But I would love to know why that works. Something like a scope camera might provide give a clearer view. My min height is about 2.5m but I agree the drum height flexes and you need to use tiny increm...
by vandenboom
Tue Apr 11, 2023 10:44 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Carbatec 400m Drum Sander Problem
Replies: 35
Views: 43213

Re: Carbatec 400m Drum Sander Problem

That's is definitely the purpose of that spring loaded bolt.
by vandenboom
Mon Apr 10, 2023 5:20 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Carbatec 400m Drum Sander Problem
Replies: 35
Views: 43213

Re: Carbatec 400m Drum Sander Problem

We can't even see the tail let alone get our hands on it. Poor design.
by vandenboom
Mon Apr 10, 2023 4:09 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Carbatec 400m Drum Sander Problem
Replies: 35
Views: 43213

Re: Carbatec 400m Drum Sander Problem

Hi Taffy This continued to be a big frustration to me over all these years. Like you , I recently said - stuff this - there must be an explanation. One of your pics shows a view from the other end of the drum. It helped me discover a small piece of sandpaper that had torn off sometime below the mout...
by vandenboom
Thu Feb 09, 2023 10:44 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Benedetto archtop double ring endpin Jack for sarconi strap
Replies: 2
Views: 3015

Re: Benedetto archtop double ring endpin Jack for sarconi strap

Hi Mark Good to connect again. That 2nd Jack looks like a good option. I also joined the FB group - Archtop Guitars - to ask this question. I got a stack of suggestions from around the globe. One of them was from a guy who related what Benedetto personally told him to do 25 years ago. The Benedetto ...
by vandenboom
Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:54 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Benedetto archtop double ring endpin Jack for sarconi strap
Replies: 2
Views: 3015

Benedetto archtop double ring endpin Jack for sarconi strap

Hi all. I built a 17" Benedetto archtop 12 years ago which uses a sarconi strap to support the tailpiece. You used to be able to purchase an endpin Jack with 2 rings - one for sarconi strap, the outer ring for guitar strap - see pic. I'm building another one of these (7 string lefty) but I'm struggl...
by vandenboom
Wed Feb 19, 2020 11:12 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Truss rod bulk buy
Replies: 22
Views: 31339

Re: Truss rod bulk buy

...or alternatively, this aust luth supplier product. Reasonably priced at $23

https://luthiersupplies.com.au/welded-2 ... tic-guitar
by vandenboom
Wed Feb 19, 2020 10:07 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Truss rod bulk buy
Replies: 22
Views: 31339

Re: Truss rod bulk buy

Hi guys. Been off the air for quite a while.
Starting a new build.
Came across this old post when searching for posdible australian truss rod supplier.
Has anybody checked these out?

https://www.guitaraust.com.au/neck/trus ... srods.html
Thnx. Frank
by vandenboom
Tue Sep 10, 2019 4:10 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Bote-cote epoxy
Replies: 11
Views: 15215

Re: Bote-cote epoxy

Gents - how much working time does it allow? Approx shelf life once opened ?
Thnx. Frank
by vandenboom
Sat Feb 16, 2019 8:23 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Acacia dread build thread
Replies: 133
Views: 9205457

Re: Acacia dread build thread

Hi Allan, only just read this thread for 1st time. I have never tried a hardwood top and have never explored it. I was struck by the 3.5mm target top thickness given in your nov 7 post. Most spruce tops are around 3.0mm. Why would a presumably q/sawn hardwood top be more than that? Curious.
Frank
by vandenboom
Thu Feb 14, 2019 5:53 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: A few minutes with Alaska Specialty Woods crew
Replies: 4
Views: 8290

Re: A few minutes with Alaska Specialty Woods crew

Well i enjoyed watching that.
by vandenboom
Tue Feb 12, 2019 1:12 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Homemade fret/fingerboard leveller
Replies: 5
Views: 7904

Re: Homemade fret/fingerboard leveller

Thnx Geoff. What is its length?
I looked at getting a longer (12") fine mill file once for fret levelling but struggled to get one that was truly flat. I went to a reputable engineering tool supplier in melb , checked 8 of his stock sgainst my precision straight edge but couldn't find a good one.
by vandenboom
Sun Feb 10, 2019 1:29 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: New build advice, on plans I've drawn.
Replies: 17
Views: 16902

Re: New build advice, on plans I've drawn.

No comment on specs but rather the choice of Bubinga for back & sides. I've been told it's a bugger to work with, particularly sanding but maybe I'm confusing it with something else. Rod (rocket) and I got a lovely 250 x 50 qsawn slab a couple of yrs ago which we r now just using for fingerboards. F...
by vandenboom
Wed Jan 30, 2019 9:20 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Homemade fret/fingerboard leveller
Replies: 5
Views: 7904

Homemade fret/fingerboard leveller

I have puddled on up to now without one of these... https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Tools_by_Job/Tools_for_Fretting/Fret_Fingerboard_Levelers.html To flatten a handplane base, we can use wet/dry on a sheet of plate glass so i wondered about doing the same with 16" length of 50mm x 25mm gal box...
by vandenboom
Thu Jan 24, 2019 9:28 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Fret seating problem
Replies: 27
Views: 50724

Re: Fret seating problem

Tajima pull saw is available from total tools and ebay for abour $35. Blades are replaceable and come in several thicknesees. Saw comes with 265 blade and i use it for most of my hand saw jobs. The 230 is .023" so good for fretting. I cut my slots with stewmac blade in a single pass but find they ca...
by vandenboom
Fri May 11, 2018 6:26 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Mirocat 3220 opinions
Replies: 3
Views: 6180

Re: Mirocat 3220 opinions

If u check the tutorials u will find an excellent detailed outline of Allen McFarlen's finishing process using Mirocat. In short he recomends leaving it about 2 weeks before final cut & polish. But there is likely to be a few stages prior to that.
by vandenboom
Fri Mar 09, 2018 10:00 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Under Saddle Pickup Question
Replies: 7
Views: 9974

Re: Under Saddle Pickup Question

Wayne. I know this doesn't answer yr question but if yr looking at acoustic pickup options , have u checked at K&K's - yr problem then goes away.
Frank
by vandenboom
Sun Jan 07, 2018 10:40 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: I stuffed up putting frets in a new neck I made - Is it salvageable?
Replies: 11
Views: 14948

Re: I stuffed up putting frets in a new neck I made - Is it salvageable?

In putting another possible approach, fully support Allan & Martins detailed response for quality results. But depending on degree of consistency of fb radius the following may offer an acceptable result. Make a pretty thick radiused caul long enough to sit just over 1st two frets. Use hardwood. San...
by vandenboom
Mon Dec 25, 2017 9:51 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Binding The only way out?
Replies: 21
Views: 33952

Re: Binding The only way out?

I would have the same question/concern given the fix location. Would epoxy be better than CA?