Search found 1507 matches

by jeffhigh
Wed Nov 29, 2017 6:03 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Tru Oil alternatives
Replies: 16
Views: 29475

Re: Tru Oil alternatives

Just pay the $15 a bottle. I might seem better to buy larger quantities, but once the bottle is opened, it starts going off, so you are better with the fresh small bottle which is plenty for a guitar. I have a bottle of Aussie oil but have not used it yet. The difference between tru oil and many of ...
by jeffhigh
Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:50 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Skill sets.
Replies: 15
Views: 19190

Re: Skill sets.

Geometry,
Too many guitars from individual builders and established factories come with neck angles that prevent proper setup.
by jeffhigh
Wed Oct 18, 2017 10:52 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: 'Old' shellac flakes
Replies: 6
Views: 8515

Re: 'Old' shellac flakes

Button lac is generally less refined and contains wax and has less surface area to oxidise? than flakes.
Dewaxed blonde flakes have the shortest shelf life.
by jeffhigh
Thu Oct 05, 2017 10:48 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Bridge Thickness different on Bass to Treble
Replies: 4
Views: 6489

Re: Bridge Thickness different on Bass to Treble

On some brands, such as Martin, the bridge pins are quite close to the saddle, especially on the bass side, so having the extra support from a thicker bridge and the resultant lower protrusion, can be beneficial for the increased sideways load.
by jeffhigh
Mon Oct 02, 2017 8:38 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Block grain direction
Replies: 9
Views: 10231

Re: Block grain direction

One issue with using blocks with grain perpendicular to the sides, is that you end up gluing endgrain to the soundboard and to the back.
I tend to laminate blocks myself, with vertical grain to the inside to resist splitting.
by jeffhigh
Mon Sep 25, 2017 4:59 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: To kerf or not to kerf - that is the question.
Replies: 1
Views: 3325

Re: To kerf or not to kerf - that is the question.

Some people use the solid lining for the back to sides joint because the consider it to look better though the soundhole. The soundboard to sides joint which is not seen, may use kerfed lining or individual blocks.(especially if building spanish style on a solera) The Trevor Gore method is the oppos...
by jeffhigh
Mon Sep 25, 2017 8:21 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Broken headstock
Replies: 8
Views: 9547

Re: Broken headstock

From the photo, It would be a repair I would do with Hot Hide Glue, no splines, after scrubbing out with hot water and a stiff brush to remove any glue residue. HHG is more resistant to warm weather (guitar in car Boot) Epoxy is not a cureall in this situation. in particular a starved joint due to a...
by jeffhigh
Tue Sep 12, 2017 11:45 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Can someone please explain neck-body alignment to a newby?
Replies: 6
Views: 11826

Re: Can someone please explain neck-body alignment to a newby?

Hi Richard, I would encourage you to develop your understanding of the geometry involved. Firstly note that a 25' radius top will have greater curvature than a 33' not less It is worth looking beyond the rules of thumb and developing an understanding of the effects of neck angle. fretboard thickness...
by jeffhigh
Tue Sep 05, 2017 6:55 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: laminated plates
Replies: 12
Views: 12230

Re: laminated plates

Not questioning the idea of laminating your own plates Rod, Just wheter the use of nomex is worth it.
by jeffhigh
Mon Sep 04, 2017 8:15 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: laminated plates
Replies: 12
Views: 12230

Re: laminated plates

Rod, I have no personal experience with Nomex, I looked into it a while back and decided it was not for me. What are you expecting to achieve from laminating in Nomex? As far as I could tell it is basically not a really stiff material just providing a lightweight separation layer so that you can end...
by jeffhigh
Sun Aug 13, 2017 9:56 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: UV cure resin.
Replies: 2
Views: 4470

Re: UV cure resin.

I have not used it, but would expect that you would not get UV penetration through the veneer, let alone any bleed fabrics.
A lot of the early users of UV cure finishes found that the first coat on timber was penetrating too deep for the UV to reach and cure.
by jeffhigh
Sat Jul 29, 2017 9:26 am
Forum: Contemporary Acoustic Guitar Design and Build - Trevor Gore
Topic: String tension
Replies: 5
Views: 11082

Re: String tension

Players tend to use the term "string tension" to describe how easy it is to displace the string (fretting, bending or picking) and this is not the same as the actual longitudinal tension in the string which is pretty strictly determined by the string mass/unit length, scale length and pitch. If the ...
by jeffhigh
Sun Jul 16, 2017 7:04 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Pau Ferro fingerboards
Replies: 17
Views: 27224

Re: Pau Ferro fingerboards

Probably also depends on the fretwire
I have been using evo fretwire and gidgee for the last 6-8 builds with no problems with backbow.
Stewmac manual japanese fretsaw
by jeffhigh
Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:22 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: First time restoration
Replies: 10
Views: 14178

Re: First time restoration

The guitar is probably a standard fender scale 25.5 inches, but it needs to be checked Draw a line between the centres of the two bridge posts Measure from the back of the neck pocket in a line corresponding to the run of the high E string to the line you have marked. (towards the string ferule for ...
by jeffhigh
Thu Jul 13, 2017 9:42 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Monterey Cypress
Replies: 18
Views: 25994

Re: Monterey Cypress

I think the floorboard cyprus is a different species to Monterey. Native to inland areas, small and quite knotty but hard enough to take the wear

I would not like to use Monterey on a floor it is quite soft.

I have done a flamenco with it, worked well.
by jeffhigh
Mon Jun 19, 2017 12:09 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: I'm retiring
Replies: 45
Views: 65148

Re: I'm retiring

Thanks for all your efforts over the years Bob
It was great to meet you in person. a few years ago.
Hope your new adventure is a roaring success.
by jeffhigh
Thu Jun 15, 2017 7:36 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Old uke repair
Replies: 18
Views: 22684

Re: Old uke repair

Whilst I understand peoples mind sets above on repairs, I personally never commence a repair without the instrument being hydrated correctly to start with Steve Hydrated correctly, yes If it has been in a very dry situation But at the moment RH along the east coast is pretty high and chances of it ...
by jeffhigh
Thu Jun 15, 2017 5:45 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Old uke repair
Replies: 18
Views: 22684

Re: Old uke repair

Without the instrument in hand, it is hard to say. Might be able to fix it without back removal, but it is not a big deal if needed. Try a clamp across the upper bout, does that close the crack? I would NOT however be Hydrating it before repair. If you do succeed in swelling it up by super hydrating...
by jeffhigh
Fri May 12, 2017 8:28 am
Forum: Contemporary Acoustic Guitar Design and Build - Trevor Gore
Topic: Falcate Tap Tone
Replies: 6
Views: 9184

Re: Falcate Tap Tone

A falcate plate is pretty floppy until you get the bridge on
by jeffhigh
Mon May 01, 2017 10:43 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Archtop vs Steel String Acoustic Sound
Replies: 8
Views: 9136

Re: Archtop vs Steel String Acoustic Sound

I'm not an archtop builder, But I'd basically agree with Dekka. Originally archtops were intended as orchestra instruments to be strummed hard and compete with banjos etc. The floating bridge and rigid plate centre with flexible edge (and the f holes) gives a big monopole response but not the comple...
by jeffhigh
Sun Apr 23, 2017 12:24 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: How to spline a broken neck heel
Replies: 7
Views: 6595

Re: How to spline a broken neck heel

Can't see the point in this spline, it gives little or no material near the critically stressed area at the outside of the break.
Just gluing it up with HHG and setting the insert in with epoxy would work well.
by jeffhigh
Fri Apr 21, 2017 7:39 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Current Build - Falcate Braced Multiscale OM cutaway
Replies: 217
Views: 201340

Re: Current Build - Falcate Braced Multiscale OM cutaway

How do you like the multiscale for ergonomics and sound?
by jeffhigh
Fri Apr 07, 2017 5:10 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: neck thickness/headstock thickeness
Replies: 29
Views: 26284

Re: neck thickness/headstock thickeness

I don't mind the low angle on the current Matons, but you do need to match the thickness to the tuners or problems will show up particularly on the E string tuners. the one I refer to was a low end mastersound with cheap tuners.
by jeffhigh
Wed Apr 05, 2017 6:45 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: neck thickness/headstock thickeness
Replies: 29
Views: 26284

Re: neck thickness/headstock thickeness

The head stock on most guitars is around 14-18mm thick, Make sure you check the thickness requirement for your tuners. The total thickness of the headstock, including any veneers need to be right for your tuners. For example, I have had Matons come through here where I had to put about 8 turns on t...
by jeffhigh
Sat Mar 25, 2017 7:39 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Jigs - Are they worth it?
Replies: 11
Views: 14902

Re: Jigs - Are they worth it?

I guess I tend to make choices on specialized tooling or jigs based on criteria like -does it improve accuracy-does accuracy matter? -does it remove stress from the process? -does it save my body from repetitive work So for things like say headstock shaping where I can creep up on it gradually by ha...