Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

by 56nortondomy » Wed Aug 06, 2025 4:37 pm Good result Wayne. That piece has bent really nice. Wayne I have now completed bending the Macassar Ebony sides set for the Parlor Guitar builds with no issues. See photos. Wayne by kiwigeo » Tue Aug 05, 2025 8:21 pm Looks like that all went well. Now you ...

I order a TKL 8700 guitar case from Zoundhouse in Germany about 6 weeks ago. The shipping was with DHL. It arrived in Australia and was held up in Customs Australia. I made enquiries to customs Australia, DHL and Australia Post and I was not able to find out the reason it was being held in Customs. ...

After receiving an orphan Macassar Ebony side I have now been able to made a test cutaway side bend. I followed Nigel and Wayne's instructions and all went well. See photos below. I now am more confident to bend the Macassar Ebony set sides for the Parlor guitar build. Wayne Side Bend Test 01.jpg Si...

Excellent result and a great looking guitar build! Good to hear that the falcate bracing design worked well to achieve a great sounding guitar.

Wayne

Definitely use fabric softener on the cutaway side, i use it on all cutaway sides whatever timber I'm using. I've built one guitar with macassar ebony but it was years ago but I'm pretty sure i would've bent around 300f. Thanks for the information Wayne. Surfing the internet: temperature informatio...

But what I can offer that would be useful here is to soak the sides in a hot water with a cup of fabric softener for half an hour. Enough water to cover them, then weigh the side down so it doesn't float about. Wrap in baking paper and bend as normal. For ebony, I'd be taking the whole side down to...

I am planning to bend Macassar Ebony sides on my Fox bending machine using metal slates and heater blanket. The sides thickness is 2mm and for the cutaway side zone is thinned to 1.9mm. I normally spray water and paper wrap the sides. My question is what temperature should I use: 300 degrees F ? 330...

Beautifully crafted styled guitars with excellent wood choice combinations.

Wayne

When I built my workshop I insulated the floor ceilings and walls. The workshop includes an assembly room with a dehumidify with a drain pipe outlet through the wall. See photos below.

Wayne

Excellent workmanship and interesting design aspects making it an eye catching instrument.

Wayne

See Photo attachment showing dimension comparison between Parlor Guitar 00-12 Martin and Parlor Guitar Gibson.

Wayne

I have a falcate braced parlour guitar sitting on the bench awaiting re-finishing. I basically followed a plan for a Gibson parlour. I forget where the top and Helmoltz peaks were. I'll give it a tap test tomorrow and return with the data That would great Martin to have this data. I also have the G...

A very impressive guitar build. Like the finish and timber combination. I would appreciate knowing what Parlor Guitar model is this guitar build based on. I am planning to build my first Parlor Guitar for a client in a few months. This guitar build inspires me and hope that I can also succeed with m...

Thanks John for the information and reasons relate to your decision to have 89mm diameter sound hole. Its early days for me being my first Parlor Guitar build. The body size that I am using is slightly large than yours and the proposed depth is 112mm at the tail and 86mm at the neck. It will a few m...

Great to see progress on your parlor guitar build. Recently, I have been ask by a client to build a parlor guitar and I am looking at a range of parlor design's dimensions and specifications. In your original post: Body: Length - 468mm Width - 332mm Scale length - 632mm (24.9") Soundhole diameter - ...

Here are some photos using the M & T Jig from 'Elevate Luthier' on my router table. Excellent Jig for M & T Neck Joint once you have set up the neck angle as previous mentioned on my posts above.

Wayne

You may like also to view a Youtube by 'Red Tree' that has a different type of jig setup on the belt sander to make the neck angle. See Link provided.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ-9hHtKMFM&t=944s

Wayne

Martin's suggested procedures works well to create neck angle. I am fortunate that I can set up my neck angle using my bevel and adjust the plate angle and lock it in on my Jet belt sander. See photos page 2 attachment. On your setup I can see that it would require a special adjustable fittings cust...

John that is another great guitar build. Glad to here that your eye operation was successful and looking forward to seeing more of your amazing guitar builds.

Wayne

Great result Trent for your first archtop guitar build.

Interesting detailing, styling, inlay and wood selection for this guitar.

Wayne

Thanks Martin , Jeremy and All in the forum that add amazing value and information for guitar building this year 2024.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR
Wayne

Here are a few more locations to source Barrel bolts. See links and photos. The Fastener factory is located: Store Address: 257 Huntingdale Rd Oakleigh VIC 3166 Hope this is also helpful information. Wayne https://www.thefastenerfactory.com.au/m6-100pc-zinc-plated-furniture-barrel-nut-hec-mild-steel...

Thanks Peter and Martin for your comments re: Rosewood and Mahogany. See below, I have copied some article extracts and digging into more information looks hard and involved. See also Stewmac selling example. It appears that the seller would have to have the paperwork in order to export it overseas....

Recently, I noticed Aaron of 'Fenech' Guitars, Miami QLD, has secured al limited number of back and side sets for new guitar builds of: "Madagascar Rosewood-Dalbergia baronii and Bois De Rosa Dalbergia maritima (also from Madagascar)" This beautiful timber for guitar builds. I have not checked how A...

Here is another alternative option if you don't want to use barrels similar to the square bar in Trevor' design except that it is a round bar insert into the heel. See Youtube link and photo. The video by 'RedTree' includes his method of installation of a round cylinder bar. This video also includes...