Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

The number of people building guitars in New Zealand isn't enough for somebody to rely on offering this service as a full time income (remember the total population of NZ is only 4 million, about the same as Scotland but over a land area bigger than the UK). And the way the majority of Kiwi's drive,...

Yeah I'd be looking at the pots and selector switch first too. Doesn't take much movement of a dodgy pot to make it cut out. Try 'wobbling' the knobs of the pots and selector whilst strumming the guitar and see if you can intentionally recreate the problem. If it does then a good spray with CRC lect...

kiwigeo wrote:Still testing...interrupted today by a job interview. First time Ive had a formal interview for a job in 40 years

Ahhh, so you decided to apply for that pole dancing job after all then !

Elegant solution Matthew (and Trevor) and glad it has improved the sound rather than hindered.

Beautiful job Martin :cl :cl :cl :cl :cl . I love carving archies, it's a very 'therapeutic', all be it, tiring job but to hear the sound evolve in the timber as more is removed. Nice match of timbers too, the more I see Gidgee the more I like it! Interesting choice with the full contact bridge (as ...

Having been born in England I grew up with the class system but could never understand why it was there (most of the 'upper class' had no money anyway and lived mainly off the fact of their peerage and 'family' name :evil: ), everybody is born the same way and we all go out the same way, so when we ...

The sad truth is, it was people like this that ticked the "out" box without fully grasping all of the facts, hence why Google reportedly spiked after the vote with searches on "What is the EU" and "What will it mean being out of the EU" by people in Britain and why it was passed!

Side bending on a hot pipe is about practice and sensitivity to the material. I find when I'm bending I have a window of opportunity to get the shape I'm after as the timber starts to relax but then it will start to harden up if I go too long and I've lost my chance. Secret is if I leave it over ni...

Beautiful craftsmanship Graham, being a Kiwi I'm not a fan of Paua inlay (keep thinking "ashtrays" for some reason ) but I can see the neat work that's gone into it, I'm sure the birthday girl will absolutely love it.

Disclaimer: Dear customer. I built your guitar using tools more advanced than a chisel and plane, be advised that some cnc operations and copying operations were carried out, I also used a bandsaw/thicknesser and jointer during the fabrication process. I have used parts supplied by wholesale manufa...

I personally think everyone here needs to get back in their shed making beautiful guitars with what ever tools they use to get the job done - planes, chisels, CNC, a stone axe, or a combination of all the above. :gui :gui Who says we can't do both? I have a chainsaw in one hand knocking out Archtop...

I don't think a visit to a CNC machine will change my opinion of what constitutes a copy or an original. But rather just reinforce it. CNC machines are very useful tools, great for what they have been designed, making copies. This discussion isn't a witch hunt on CNC users, but just asking the ques...

I can't see the honesty in churning out heaps parts that look the same, and that really haven't had any human creativity that wasn't copied from somewhere else and then calling the finish product handmade. I would consider that as a case of 'originality' more than an argument against what constitut...

Never heard of either... just use spruce. They're New Zealand natives. Kahikatea - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dacrycarpus_dacrydioides Tanekaha - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllocladus_trichomanoides I've never used either for bracing but I do have some Tanekaha which has been machined for a...

johnparchem wrote:And no I have not found a good use for the pearl hawks

Fret markers on a special guitar? If it's good enough for Paul Reed Smith
Looking like a beauty John, hopefully it ticks all the boxes for you, once it's got some strings on it.

kiwigeo wrote:I was juts pointing out the risk of possible discolouring of the top wood which will make your crack _really_ visible.

Wait for it........



Like you couldn't see that one coming!
Sorry Mickey, bit off topic but I couldn't resist.

Firstly I wanna see the case that fits in and secondly, I then want to see the guy get it into the boot of his Bambino!

Ummmmmmmmmm.








Nuff said.

Very very classy. Not a big fan of tiger myrtle but I love that top, the combination of wood colours and finish. Just makes you want to pick it up. Hope it sounds as good as it looks. Well done! Took the words right out of my mouth Richard (great minds and all that!), not a fan of Tiger Myrtle but ...

Great project and well done to your daughter, I wish I'd had that 'bonding' experience with mine but they were more interested in social activities .

I'm lucky enough to be the proud owner of some highly figured Otway Blackwood, it's sitting in my stash waiting for 'that' special build to come along, far too beautiful to be used on anything less.
Nice article Bob.

More booze sounds like the answer Martin. If other Uni's are the same as Canterbury, we all know how engineering students get through University, maybe a massive hangover makes this stuff easier!

^ I'll weld in a piece of thick steel plate with a threaded hole cut in it. That's what I was thinking Pete. If you have a thread in each plate it won't adjust up and down, the screw will merely move in an out, try it with two nuts (simulating your threaded plates) on a bolt, hold the nuts in a vic...

Is there any possibility you'll be publishing a separate addendum with this info for those of us with first editions Trevor? Possibly, Nick. I have an absolute heap of stuff to get through before I get to that, though. If I get to it, I'll likely put the "stand alone" material up on my website so i...

Anymore thoughts/reviews on this stuff? Is it as 'slippery' as titebond? (My only gripe of Titebond). I've found if you rub the joint together initially (just two or three short rubs is all it needs, until you feel it 'grab' slightly) whilst applying a little pressure,it stops alot of that slipping...