Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Dennis We started bending at 150C (probably 5-6 minutes) and it was wrapped in foil and craft paper, plus a few days with Supersoft on it. It didn't even feel as though it was going to become pliable with the heat. This wood has had about 30 years drying and killed a number of bandsaw blades resawin...

Nothing humble about Tassie Oak Matt. I've seen it mentioned in a couple of forums as being totally unsuitable for instrument building due to instability and cracking. Which is a load of bollox. We've got a guitar set that we're very keen to build with. How do think Tas Oak/Vic Ash would be received...

Here's a pic of the top from that Myrtle OM we just finished. Apologies for the out of focus pic but it's the only one I've got of this guitar. The top of this is quite thin, 2.2mm, but it was a very stiff Engelmann top. We left the braces a bit heftier than we normally do and because the top was so...

Hi Alan I've just started putting together a little 0 model parlor type guitar from sassafras so I don't know what it's going to turn out like either. It's a little harder than Mahogany but still reasonably soft for a hardwood so I'm with you in thinking (hoping) that it'll have a warm sound with ni...

Yer nothing but a shit stirrer Billy

Here's a link to a vid of Serge playing the Heshtone.

http://www.connor.net.au/serge_new.wmv

Bob

Bob Marley would be proud of those joints

I've just been perusing your blog Matt.

There's some amazing stuff going on in there with shaping that top.

You're not wrong about spending a few hours in there. I'll get through it all eventually.

Very well documented and extremely interesting stuff.

Bob

The Ubeaut seems to be very forgiving as long as you don't get any runs in it Craig.

We've just tried thinning it 50% and the results are much better. Better flow out and less sanding back.

Bob

Slightly larger than a mandolin Serge.

Matt builds Double Basses.

Welcome aboard Matt. Nice to see you here.

Bob

Absolutely bloody beautiful Craig.

What did you finish it with and did you spray it?

Can't wait to hear what it sounds like.

The ivory around the headstock looks very schmick.

I reckon you should have a or two on the strength of that effort.

Bob

Attention all Makers of Stringed Instruments! Andrew Morrow of CSIRO in Melb is currently working on a Funded Project with Maton Guitars to manufacture & test Australian Timbers in the use of making Guitars. Maton are being used from the manufacturing stand point of consistent (CNC Machine) manufact...

Here's a little animated movie about Cane Toads.

It's about 30Mb if you are on dial up.

Right click and "save as"

This won some awards a few years back

http://www.connor.net.au/canetoad.avi

Bob

Thirsty work that pool cleaning stuff Paul. Hope Le Fridge is stocked. I'm with you on the local timbers. The only thing that we haven't got here is a choice of top woods other than King Billy, or Bunya. I'm not sold on the Bunya and the King Billy, as you know, is quite difficult to come by these d...

Lovely stuff Dave.

Everything in the right spot. Just exudes taste.

I love seeing 'em the white too. It's that first glimpse of how all the appointments have come together.

Bob

Dave and I bent some sides yesterday out of Goncalo Alves. This would have to be the toughest wood we've encountered. We soaked it in Supersoft but this had no effect on it at all. Winding down the waist in the bender you could feel it fighting all the way and this was on an O model so no tight wais...

Very, very nice Paul.

That minerrichi is very tasty stuff.

That's going to be a real tasty, classic instrument.

Bob

G'day and welcome JJ.

Bob

I baulked at the price too Kim, but finally broke down and got one.

Worth every cent.

There's some really nice flow in that body shape Martin.

Don't tell me you got that Walnut from dumpster diving as per your usual practise.

Bob

I took some photos of the fret vise today so I'll start there. I bought this from Ebay which cost about $20 but I reckon you could knock one of these up in under 20 minutes. I use another mini clamp on the fret vise to keep the the fret secure. http://www.mcguitars.com.au/phpBB2/userpix/2_Walnut_002...

G'day Martin

Yes we're all mad but there is actually some serious discussion going on over in the guitar building section.

Welcome to the forum.

Bob

I'm actually ecstatic Lillian. That lump of Tiger is three inches thick.

Have you radiused the bottom yet? That should get rid of half a gram.

I wouldn't think that a couple of drillings on the bottom would affect the glueing footprint too much.

Very cunning approach that. Duly stored for future use.

Cheers

Bob