Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Hi RodC, Great job! A few questions, if I may: 1) What pickup is in/on the archtop?; 2) Is the amp based on a Marshall 18 watt TMB; 3) Where/who is the amp kit from?; 4) Are they Jensen 10" speakers? Thanks, GregL. Hi Greg: The pickup is Kent Armstrong Suspended Jazz Humbucker from Stewmac. The amp...

Arch top based on the Benedetto book with a paired 18w tmb. I finished this a few months ago and have been trying to get some better photos. Failed at that, but thought I would share what I have. IMG_0629.JPG IMG_0631.JPG IMG_0632.JPG IMG_0630.JPG Archie is Qld white cedar top with monkey pod back a...

One of the reasons we (Brisbane Guitar Making School) put the frets in after is that we drill a 1 mm hole through the fret board in 2 places (in the 1st and 12th fret slots, or there about) and use small locator pins to accurately position the fret board during glue up. The holes are small enough th...

Is it possible to use the off cuts from the waist?
If you are only talking 40mm overall, then you should have at least 20mm from the top and bottom (if you cut it out with a band saw) that should be usable.

Just an idea.

Very cool.
There's something really satisfying about making your own tool and having it work as well as that.

13 to 16 sounds more like a Uke than a guitar.

I haven't used gotoh tuners, but they are one of the standard choices of people in our (guitar making) school.

Doesn't this tell you? https://g-gotoh.com/product/sgi510/?lang=en

If I read that right it is 22.5mm from the base to the centre of the string hole for the standard. From there you just decide how much of the post you want sticking out?

RodC

Wow.

That is beautiful. I would love to hear a recording if you have anything.

I'm nearing the completion of my own archie and your stuff both inspires and intimidates me.
I really admire details like the bound head stock and laminated pick guard. So nice.

Rod C

Thanks Mark,

I've gone with these dominobrass.com.au in brass, but I will keep goods and chattels in mind for next time.

I like the feel of them over a flatter transition.
For me it is both an ascetic and tactile thing.
With modern glues and scarf joints, I don't think there is any structural reason though.

There used to be a guy in BillyNudgel.
https://www.billinudgelwoodworks.com.au.
He offered to resaw and assist with side bending one of my projects.
I didn't take him up as I found assistance closer to home, but you could try there.

Thanks Greg,
Evatco is one of the places I have tried (i got my amp part through them).

They don't stock hinges and latches though.

If I can't find something I like in the way of a latch, I may have to see what I can make.

Cheers,

Rod

Hi, I'm nearing the completion of an arch-top build and I plan to make a (timber) case for it. This is not going to be a travel case. It will live at home and be visible in my lounge room, so I want it to look nice. I have also made a 18W TMB amp to go with it. I am finishing off the cabinetry and a...

You can try, but I wouldn't recommend it. There is a reason that aftermarket blades are available. I suggest looking into those before starting and designing your plane based on a standard size. That way, even if you do try making your own blade, you can replace it with a purpose built one. I have m...

That's interesting Trent. Like all studies, more data is needed. A sample size of 7 opinions is quite small and there seems to be other factors (such as age) that make this a complex area to research. My personal opinion is that targeting specific FRC's is more an exercise in consistency than excell...

Beautiful as always.

I would love to see that Steve.

For us it's mostly a time thing.
It is quicker and simpler than the other methods we have tried.

I've recently used just that sort of bit to radius my fret board. No problems with chipping or chattering, but I went quite small on the increments - so wasn't taking much off per pass. I still used a radius sanding block to finish though. My fret board is cook town iron wood with maple inlay. IMG_0...

This is a quite useful and interesting discussion as I'm thinking of making an arch-top Uke to match my [not quite yet finished] arch-top. I still need to do some more research and haven't decided on string type or size yet. From reading the comments above, it sounds like the break angle will be a l...

One way I've seen it done is to put in support bracing where you need to sand things thinner. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcSIUnOS96W-0vuZs95V5I0xzm1nwa6DQl9oOjAqTsikQrOioW55 Then you can sand down to 1.5 or so. Caveat - I haven't done this myself, just talked to people who...

One should never be afraid of playing a musical instrument. No matter how good it is.
It's core function is to play music. Otherwise it is just art.

Thanks Graham,
Got mine today as well.
Really looking forward to making use of this next year.

Nice Trent.
I don't think I've seen this completed IRL. Looking forward to seeing it at our next guitar extravaganza.

If you have it, a small pinch of pumice dust after you spread the glue helps prevent movement.