Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Hi Allen, Im going to add to the comments above, there is nothing I dont like about this guitar. Im still on #1 and agree with the comments about learning from your stuff ups. The finish is gorgeous, the shape is well... not Kylie and very nice, and the overall standard is very high. I think the Ma...

Terrific work Allen. I like the new bridge shape - very subtle. What sort of style of playing do you think it suits? Bob I made the nut 1 3/4 wide and the pins 2 1/4 wide. Just that bit more than my other guitars thinking that it may be better for finger style, and my less than dainty hands are fin...

I haven't had much of a chance to play it yet. So far I haven't been able to overdrive it, but then I wasn't really trying either. It still needs some work on the saddle. Getting a slight sitar ring from the high E and G string when the strings are fretted. I'm going to let it settle in for a few we...

I will take all 4 sets of the Western Red Cedar. If Kim passes on the Rosewood I would like it as well.

You can PM or email me.

Actually, I pretty lucky with my garage. It has doors at each end and the prevailing wind it either a northerly at this time of year, or southerly the rest and it just blows everything across the neighborhood.

I lost count on the number of bridges that I've made in the last 6 months, trying to find a design that appealed to me and had an adequate glue foot print, yet was small enough to bring our native timbers into a weight zone that I could use them. It's also a very difficult thing to take pictures of ...

Here is some pictures of my first fat bottom girl (petite Jumbo). Overall dimensions similar to OM with a 25.4" scale. Top___California Red Wood Back/Sides___Mahogany (not sure what type) Neck___Mahogany Fret Board___Madagascar Rosewood Bridge ___Madagascar Rosewood Nut/Saddle___MOP Bindings___Qld. ...

Or just learn to breath through your ears.

When I was talking to the bloke at Durobond he was saying they had added a small amount of plasticiser to their guitar Nitro. Getting just the right amount in there to help prevent checking took a bit of time apparently. Gerard Gilet tested it for them and gave them feedback until they were both ha...

The catalyzed lacquer that I'm using tells you to thin only 10%, but this is so you get the build that they say you will get from their product. By thinning it more you are controlling how thick of a film build you are putting on. Any time you spray out a very thin product, the surface will wet out ...

Nitrocellulose uses corn cellulose as the body (filler if you will) were as acrylic lacquers use synthetic acrylic fillers. Both types of lacquers can check and crack when exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations, but nitrocellulose is much more prone to it, and in a much narrow temperature range...

Good to have you with us. And though my shop is in the garage as well, it's no where as neat and nicely laid out as yours. I'd love to see some more shots of your work as well.

The truss rod have made it in the mail. Shipped USPS Global Priority Mail.

Thanks Serge, that one from Billy's parents made my day. I have to wipe the tears from my eyes in order to respond.

Way to go guys, Wish I lived a bit closer to be able to stop buy. We love Port Fairy. Haven't been there for the festival, but just for a visit it's a great place to stop and knock back a few.

Number 3 and 4 were by far more difficult for me to build than 1 and 2. In my case it was pushing myself to try more challenging things, and there were many times that I had to walk away to have a chance to cool down and have a think. There were several times that I should have done that sooner inst...

Oh I feel for you Martin. I had to rout off a set of cocobolo bindings on my 3rd guitar because they just didn't end up fitting they way they should. Hope it all works out for you.

The group buy on truss rods is now closed. We will have an order of 102 truss rods, and a rough calculation based on Hesh's weight per rod puts the parcel around the 28-29 lbs with packaging, I think. I went onto the USPS web site and did a shipping quote. It looks to be around the $120 US for ship...

Allen great toot my friend. It's also nice to see this done without a stinkin buffing arbor that can sling your guitar against a wall........ Other then you not smiling I really enjoyed it - thanks M8!!! :cl :cl :cl :cl Hey, I was watching what I was doing, not posin' like some of you guys are :lol...

If your not invited Bob, then who is? Must be a pretty exclusive list, or is it just some good old boys?

Fantastic tutorial Allen. Since I've got the Festool sander I've been levelling after the second coat of Ubeaut Shellac with 400 grit dry ( on the lowest speed). Then use a 1000, then 2000 micromesh pad on the sander. It seems to be working very well. At least it's much more consistent than any pre...

This is looking a lot bigger than I first imagined. As of 10:30 am Sunday the order stands at 102 truss rods.

I will be going over the list and checking it a few times, so there is still time to get in if your interested, or make last minute changes if you need to.

For those of you that don't have access to a automotive spray booth, this type of finish can still be done. In fact I've sprayed several of mine just in the open. Lot's of times at work, the spay booths are too busy for me to get access for my projects (damn the boss, he just doesn't have my priorit...

I get asked a lot how I do the finish on my guitars, so I'll put together a little how I do if for those that are interested. You have to start off with your surfaces as smooth as possible. I sand out with P80, then progress through P120 and P180. Depending on the wood species I will sometime go to ...

G'day Jeff, and welcome. I hope that you will drop by regularly. We're a pretty easy going bunch and like to have a few laughs, especially at Hesh's expense.