Search found 461 matches

by Steve.Toscano
Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:22 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: New Cedar Classical
Replies: 3
Views: 6218

Re: New Cedar Classical

Thanks Gents!
by Steve.Toscano
Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:58 pm
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Frequency # 30 guitar
Replies: 3
Views: 12239

Re: Frequency # 30 guitar

My question is , in order to raise the top resonance Hz do I need more weight or less weight ? These are classicals guitars spruce/ rosewood all the same brace pattern . Thank you Zef In a nutshell - You need less weight (mass) and/or more stiffness. Both in the soundboard. However why do you feel ...
by Steve.Toscano
Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:54 pm
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Anyone here got any experience of Crowdfunding?
Replies: 2
Views: 11473

Re: Anyone here got any experience of Crowdfunding?

I have with my previous business. We didn't use any crowdfunding directly ourselves, but we had a number of clients who did use if for a number of different reasons and products with mixed results. We acted on a consulting basis.

Happy to answer any specific questions.
by Steve.Toscano
Sun Nov 22, 2020 3:45 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: New Cedar Classical
Replies: 3
Views: 6218

New Cedar Classical

Just completed a cedar classical, it's rare for me to do a cedar soundboard and I hadnt done one for awhile. With a break in my guitar making school's classes throughout covid lockdown i decided to build a few (different) guitars to my norm alongside the usual commissions. This is one of them. Cedar...
by Steve.Toscano
Thu Oct 29, 2020 9:34 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Flamenco Blanca
Replies: 5
Views: 7515

Flamenco Blanca

Hey all. No photos but instead a video. Flamenco Blanca built for Paco Lara between July - September 2020 Spruce soundboard, Cypress B&S, Toona neck, Macassar Ebony fretboard, Ebony trim, Brazilian RW bridge. No need to talk about the guitar, check out the chops of the guy playing it..... :o :o :o [...
by Steve.Toscano
Sat Sep 26, 2020 11:11 am
Forum: Contemporary Acoustic Guitar Design and Build - Trevor Gore
Topic: Reducing BOBO neck weight
Replies: 12
Views: 13864

Re: Reducing BOBO neck weight

Am I right in thinking that the 'wedge' for the BOBO classical neck might not be required for a flamenco, where the desirable saddle height is 7-8mm, rather than 10-11mm for a classical? To get the desired string height at the bridge the neck must have a forward angle. In my case I put a 2mm drop a...
by Steve.Toscano
Mon Aug 31, 2020 1:41 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: StewMax Membership and Free Shipping
Replies: 11
Views: 14327

Re: StewMax Membership and Free Shipping

peter.coombe wrote:
Fri Aug 28, 2020 8:41 am
I am also into my second year of this. Pays for itself quickly, but the free shipping is slow, very slow now.

I do the flat rate expedited option for ~$30 on every order now.
This way most orders arrive within a week (even in the current climate).
by Steve.Toscano
Fri Aug 14, 2020 12:30 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: thickness sanding Gold Coast
Replies: 2
Views: 5295

Re: thickness sanding Gold Coast

Lads, I normally thickness my tops and backs at the Mens Shed, but due to the current situation, the sheds are all closed. Anyone in the Gold Coast got a thickness sander I can come and hire for an hour? Nigel, you've probably found one by now, but if you haven't i'd think that Aaron Fenech would b...
by Steve.Toscano
Fri Aug 14, 2020 12:16 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Black Heart Sassafras and Spruce Classical
Replies: 8
Views: 12153

Re: Black Heart Sassafras and Spruce Classical

That's a gorgeous bit of Sassy, well done.
by Steve.Toscano
Thu Jan 30, 2020 10:37 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Crystalac
Replies: 2
Views: 5436

Re: Crystalac

Ive used it on electrics. It applies (with a brush) quite well and somewhat self levels. Still requires a rub back and a buff of course to get to a high gloss. No where near as hard wearing as nitro or a poly. I wouldn't use it on acoustic instruments as its high solids. Not sure about applying over...
by Steve.Toscano
Mon Jan 27, 2020 10:02 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: A few latest builds
Replies: 6
Views: 11888

Re: A few latest builds

All gorgeous builds Peter!! Well done.
by Steve.Toscano
Thu Nov 21, 2019 11:24 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Searching for Carbon Fiber for a Falcate Guitar Build
Replies: 4
Views: 6387

Re: Searching for Carbon Fiber for a Falcate Guitar Build

For the bracing i use the unidirectional tape found here:
http://www.carbonfiber.com.au/category4_1.htm

And pull the strands out as i need them..

They also sell cloth suitable for bridge plates etc.
They're in Aus.
by Steve.Toscano
Thu Nov 21, 2019 12:57 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: packaging tape for binding
Replies: 12
Views: 13711

Re: packaging tape for binding

I've tryed pretty much all of them. Everything from gaffa tape, to bunnings masking. For me i found the best is the stewmac brown paper tape, as it seems to have just the right amount of tack (lots) and the right amount of stretch (a tiny bit). In saying that filament tape like Trevor linked to is g...
by Steve.Toscano
Fri Nov 15, 2019 8:19 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Amateur mess up, do I start over or make raised fretboard...
Replies: 6
Views: 7202

Re: Amateur mess up, do I start over or make raised fretboard...

If you dont worry about the aesthetics soo much of it, an easy non surgical fix would be to make a wedge shaped fingerboard. Depending on the geometry there, you might only be looking at a difference of ~2mm across the length of the board. Otherwise, get a flush cut fine blade japanese saw and cut t...
by Steve.Toscano
Fri Nov 15, 2019 8:11 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: fretboard radiusing router bits
Replies: 18
Views: 22676

Re: fretboard radiusing router bits

No worries all.
I'll endeavour to record a video on this over the xmas break and will post back here when available.
by Steve.Toscano
Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:29 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Student build - Spruce, Ebony, Falcate OM
Replies: 4
Views: 8317

Re: Student build - Spruce, Ebony, Falcate OM

Thanks guys,
Yes 26 classes, from raw timber to a finished and setup product. This is just below my average for SS student builds in my workshop which is currently at 27.9.
About 90% of these are cutaways (12fret joins), all are falcate.
The average for nylon stringed instruments is much lower.
by Steve.Toscano
Tue Nov 12, 2019 2:07 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: fretboard radiusing router bits
Replies: 18
Views: 22676

Re: fretboard radiusing router bits

Fair enough, each to their own. Although i struggle to see the time saving using such a method, unless you are mass making fretboards, which i doubt anyone on this forum is doing. Feels like another over engineered, messy, and noisey, process for the small time builder. Takes me ~15mins to radius my...
by Steve.Toscano
Tue Nov 12, 2019 10:47 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Student build - Spruce, Ebony, Falcate OM
Replies: 4
Views: 8317

Student build - Spruce, Ebony, Falcate OM

Thought I'd show off another one of many recent student build completions. A Falcate braced OM made by Daniel in 26x 4hour classes. Dan hadn't done any prior woodworking before coming along to the school and he doesn't play the guitar, he made this instrument as a surprise gift for his younger broth...
by Steve.Toscano
Tue Nov 12, 2019 9:03 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: fretboard radiusing router bits
Replies: 18
Views: 22676

Re: fretboard radiusing router bits

Out of interest: What's the motivation, or what are you attempting to fix, by using such a method for radiusing fretboards? Versus using more 'traditional' methods?

Is it an accuracy thing? A time thing?
by Steve.Toscano
Tue Nov 12, 2019 8:54 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Student build - Spruce Padauk Flamenco Negra
Replies: 2
Views: 6408

Student build - Spruce Padauk Flamenco Negra

Since there's been a few Flamenco builds lately, I thought I'd show off a recent build from one of my Students at the Australian Guitar Making School - Sydney. A Flamenco Negra (or Rojo "red") :lol: , built by Bernard in 32 classes, including making all of his own jigs used to make this guitar. Spru...
by Steve.Toscano
Mon Oct 28, 2019 10:03 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: How do I fix this wavy side..
Replies: 9
Views: 12920

Re: How do I fix this wavy side..

Scrape / sand and a few extra low & flat side braces is the way to go. If you end up at 1.8mm that's fine.
by Steve.Toscano
Mon Oct 28, 2019 10:01 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Flamenco blanca - lutz & leyland cypress
Replies: 18
Views: 28427

Re: Flamenco blanca - lutz & leyland cypress

Hi Trent,
That looks really good. Good weight too.
Well done.
by Steve.Toscano
Mon Oct 28, 2019 9:54 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Glue choice for lattice
Replies: 4
Views: 5548

Re: Glue choice for lattice

How i approach a non CF lattice: 1) Glue up the lattice off the soundboard as a single unit with titebond. Glue it between 2x flat boards (i used perspex) clamped onto a flat bench. 2) Shape the bottom of the lattice in solera with sandpaper. 3) Glue the lattice as 1 structure onto the soundboard us...
by Steve.Toscano
Fri Oct 18, 2019 9:25 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Musical Instrument Auction Melbourne.
Replies: 7
Views: 9563

Re: Musical Instrument Auction Melbourne.

There's some gems in there, some of those instruments went for a bargain. For those who weren't aware this was the personal collection of John Hurlston or "Hurlo". I had the pleasure of meeting Hurlo a few times, great bloke, loved a yarn, amazing guitar and car collection. He passed away in 2015(?)...
by Steve.Toscano
Fri Oct 18, 2019 9:17 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Elmer Guitar
Replies: 10
Views: 15347

Re: Elmer Guitar

While i don't know of this company in particular. I've had students rock up to my workshop with their own various Chinese jigs etc. When comparing the likes of the dremel base & circle/rosette cutter, the binding channel system, the fret slotting mitre box, and crowning files, we generally cannot de...