Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Do you get these weights consistently Graham? I had some Englemann from the defunct American supplier and it was light compared to the Sitka I have at the moment. What about Blackwood vs Maple? "The other important factor is the weight of the plates. H S Wake's violin building book is also a good st...

There are a number of pretty good sources online at the moment. In no particular order; - Making the Violin dot com Goes into tuning violin plates - How to build a Fiddle, video series by Jon Mangum, shows you his rig and explains his method. - Plate Tuning dot org, encyclopedic with a number of app...

So pretty! Are they planetary pegs?

Hi Richard, I think the work is pretty much the same for most instruments once you get you templates etc done. But getting the templates right is one of the big challenges. Detail work is detail work and that is what makes an outstanding instrument. One of the hardest bits is when you look at a real...

I havent posted for a while now but am still at it in my kitchen bench way. Ive been more interested in Violins recently and here is a fiddle i made at the end of 2019, Engleman Spruce with what I suspect id Hoop Pine for the body and neck. Appointments are Ebony, the finish is my favourite Tru Oil....

That’s awesome!

Ive kind of changed direction in the last little while, A mandola in progress based on Cremonese Mandolin and a "I wonder if this could work mando". I'll take some nicer photos one day.

Long time no visit, but still messing around and having fun. Has anyone used the cross linked Polyurethane from Boat Craft for finishing instruments? It seems to have a number of very nice features including an exceptional hardness and water clean up. Im a big fan of Bote Cote and the company seems ...

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrlpFA5BbuU[/youtube]

Bela Fleck..... love the jo...

Not much happens down there does it?

Nice ride, a Virago but for city work it's da bomb. How Yamaha make a 250 sound like a 1000 Harley is beyond me. Bikes are like zoot, just one more....

This is almost as expensive as lutherie.....

Thanks guys, I'll try those leads.

I tried to get my business there last year Perry but had to move some people on when the numbers magically fell. It's a great way to get unpopular.

As for the zoot it's going to the local Men's Shed

Seems like I'm back to instrument making. A recent splurge in tassie has me in possession of some boards that I want ripped down to 4 and 12mm. Blackwood and myrtle.

Does anyone offer this as a service? I'm not after freebies just a quality job.

2015 C5 Enfield, not really stock any more....

Funnily enough I've just started a build as well. Funnily enough I've had the same distraction to deal with.

Modern polys are not that well suited to Danish Oil type mixes of this type. They don't polymerise properly due to interactions with the BLO. This has been extensively discussed on the UBeaut forum. I learnt the hard was as well.

Just posted on the UBeaut forum http://www.lockwoodcompany.com.au/S2734.htm. Some poor bugger going out of business and someone will pick up some fine timber.

Thanks, I'm a TruOil guy so it should be ok.

Can you tell us more Jeff? Id like to avoid the learning curve

What does the Ancient Spruce add to the sound Alan?

Shit hot instrument!

I've managed to score some very attractive Spotted Gum. The pieces are not wide enough for backs but sides an certainly necks are a possibility. I know it's used for tool handles so stability shouldn't be an issue.

Does anyone have any experience with this timber?

It is not uncommon for guitars to be converted to Mandocellos by drilling a couple of extra tuner holes and replacing the saddle and nut. There are a few on the Mandolin Cafe along with some people who do it regularly. If you go with a archtop type tailpiece it gets even easier. Graham MacDonald wil...

Or buy pre shaped necks, front and back plates, slotted fingerboards etc. For me part of the fun is taking my time and working things out. I already own a manufacturing business, one is enough thx.