Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Ok - I'm going to skip the router bit for now and invest in upgrading my hand tools. Thanks for the dragon rasps advice... I didnt know about them but will give stewmac some business

Mark - is it just the flat veritas spokeshave / do you ever use the round bottom one?

Thanks guys. I'm still trying to work out what works best for me. I used to use only hand tools, now I'm becoming a fan of power tools and machines. I was thinking the repeatability of the router bit would be a good thing. I'll give it a go anyway. Although now that you both mention you still do you...

Hi guys - Which router bit do you use for routing your necks into a c or d profile? I'm keen to avoid buying the wrong one!

Looks great! Some really nice design details... love the headstock and the end butt joint design especially. Purfling colours match well with the back and sides too... is that bloodwood?

Congratulations Martin, the guitar and finish looks great

Well it is a luthier's forum, not a guitar builders forum...

Looks beautiful and like a lot of work must have gone into carving that scroll. Too pretty to hide under a stain.

Where did you source the euro maple from?

Thanks Martin!

Hi guys, I'd like to improve my process for making a slotted headstock. My last couple have suffered from a few wood chips when I drill the roller holes. Nothing major but not perfect. I'm wondering if I have the steps around the wrong way? Do you rout the slots after drilling the holes or before? I...

These are really useful for new builders like me, Steve... thanks!

Thanks Trent - the original vision was for purpleheart bindings but they looked a bit odd when I did a test fit. I'm keen to try inlaying some shell on the next guitar so it will be a bit
blingier...

Thanks guys

Strung up my second classical guitar this evening. I'm reasonably happy with the sound and it's a lot better than my first. The previous one sounded more like a flamenco (which may have been the cypress sides, or maybe I went too thin on the soundboard). This one is more pleasant to listen to and ha...

Beautiful uke, looks like a wonderful commission for both of you! I really like the look of that Brazilian Walnut..

Beautiful work

Have you tried adding more weight to the bridge? I've noticed this can make a big difference. Just put a lump of blu tack on various spots and experiment a bit - if something works, add the weight to the inside in the corresponding spot. Heavier bridge pins would be another option if it needs more w...

I reckon if Torres was alive today, he'd have a 14" bandsaw and a drum sander at least...

Beautiful work, love the design elements, really makes it stand out. How did you find the french polishing process? Thanks! I really enjoy french polishing, especially as I can work on the kitchen bench in the air conditioning. I love the high gloss look. It took about 3 weeks after I got the hang ...

Very nice. I like the rosette and also the bridge design, which reminds me a little of Allen's ukes :cl :cl :cl :cl Thanks! It was inspired by the bridge pictured in this thread: http://www.anzlf.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=7605 Although their bridge smiles and my bridge frowns! It just seemed to look...

Acoustic guitar built to a classical shape (I just like that shape...) Indian rosewood back and sides, cedar top, all Australian woods mosaic rosette. New Guinea rosewood bindings. New guinea RW/IRW bridge, Gotoh tuners. X braced, fully french polished. Super clean sounding and very responsive - it ...

ouch. i havent made that mistake yet, but thanks for the reminder to consider it.

i did have my own walk away and get a beer moment recently building a bridge. Built a beautiful bridge out of NGR and Indian... then right at the end managed to drill the fifth hole a fraction out of line. f*#k!

Haha by sheer coincidence I was considering the same question yesterday when I finally sat set aside a couple of hours and drafted out my Will. During my lunch break a car didn't stop at a pedestrian crossing I was on...and while I saw it early enough and stopped walking... it made me contemplate th...

Looks great. That's a pretty nice looking soundboard of 'cast-off' spruce!

Looks like QLD maple to me

Thanks Mark. I asked because I hope to try it out on an upcoming build... the oval shape looks great on this guitar.

Great tutorial, Mark. I'm looking forward to tring this out (on scrap first!).

After having used a gramil to cut binding channels and for one (old fashioned round...) rosette I'm keen to avoid it again if at all possible...