Search found 594 matches

by Dave M
Fri Mar 03, 2023 11:54 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: A question about last lattice guitars built in Australia
Replies: 8
Views: 7153

Re: A question about last lattice guitars built in Australia

I wonder (without being rude) how much experience you have build? The type of guitar you are talking about, being Smallman or close to, requires a very high level of technique. And epoxy and CF can get very messy very quickly, even G&G's relatively simple bracing.

Cheers Dave
by Dave M
Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:34 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Florentine tip binding
Replies: 5
Views: 4673

Re: Florentine tip binding

I remember Somogyi going into some detail about this subject. If you could find someone with his books it would be worth a look.
by Dave M
Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:28 am
Forum: Jigs & Fixtures
Topic: Re-using old Jointer/planer blades.
Replies: 2
Views: 9005

Re: Re-using old Jointer/planer blades.

Very neat idea. I particularly like the handle limited binding scraper.
by Dave M
Thu Feb 16, 2023 3:31 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Goings on in the workshop
Replies: 15
Views: 15637

Re: Goings on in the workshop

Have been having a bit of a downer this winter so not too much. However I notice the rosette on Edi's Flamenca. I have my only attempt at a falcate classical hanging on the wall as I enter the shop. It is my conscience if you like. lt came out very dull and unresponsive so I have intended to remove ...
by Dave M
Wed Feb 08, 2023 10:31 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Shape of Braces - Is conical cross-section the best shape?
Replies: 13
Views: 6736

Re: Shape of Braces - Is conical cross-section the best shape?

That’s interesting Martin. On a classical the brace height is so small that putting holes in it probably won’t do much. However the big x brace on a steel string may well be worth thinking about. As I understand it the stiffness of a beam is not reduced by much if you take material out of the centre...
by Dave M
Wed Feb 08, 2023 3:43 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Shape of Braces - Is conical cross-section the best shape?
Replies: 13
Views: 6736

Re: Shape of Braces - Is conical cross-section the best shape?

Thanks Tom That's interesting.

That fan bracing by Gilbert does however look pretty big compared say to a typical Torres. It would certainly improve the gluing area of the brace.
by Dave M
Sat Feb 04, 2023 3:28 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Shape of Braces - Is conical cross-section the best shape?
Replies: 13
Views: 6736

Re: Shape of Braces - Is conical cross-section the best shape?

In principal you are correct that an I beam shape should be useful. However when you look at the dimensions in practice it is simply not practical to make in timber. There is a clear exposition of brace shapes in the Gore/Gilet design book section 4.4.7 if you can scrounge a look at it. The end resu...
by Dave M
Fri Feb 03, 2023 9:45 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: RIP Jeff Beck
Replies: 4
Views: 12279

Re: RIP Jeff Beck

Hey someone must know about that headstock. Tell me about it.
by Dave M
Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:09 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Slow hand — very slow hand — 'luthier'
Replies: 5
Views: 2766

Re: Slow hand — very slow hand — 'luthier'

Yup. I harboured the ambitions for, not just years but decades. Finally with more time available I have got into it and it has been as rewarding as I always thought it would be.

Keep building!
by Dave M
Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:10 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: RIP Jeff Beck
Replies: 4
Views: 12279

Re: RIP Jeff Beck

Although I don't particularly rate this presenter he does tell us some things about Becks technique. For instance I didn't realise he was using the volume control to change the sound along with string stretching and the tremolo bar. Also the fact that he is playing at Ronnie Scots, a pure jazz venue...
by Dave M
Thu Jan 19, 2023 10:19 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: RIP Jeff Beck
Replies: 4
Views: 12279

Re: RIP Jeff Beck

Yes. And he managed to keep his skills into old age. His performance of, was it, settled, can’t remember at Ronnie Sots club was superb. Jo Bonamassa described his Ain’t Supersticious with Rod Stewart as full of swagger, which it was for a pretty young guitarist. And the effects pedals were probably...
by Dave M
Tue Dec 20, 2022 4:09 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Hello from Bavaria
Replies: 14
Views: 14701

Re: Hello from Bavaria

You sure have a wonderful range of instruments there! From the Baroque to the mandolin. I once heard a serious player of the hurdygurdy at a musical event and was blown away by how musical they actually be in the right hands. They don't need to be the drone things that you so often hear. I wondered ...
by Dave M
Sun Dec 18, 2022 2:48 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Make bridge pins without lathe?
Replies: 8
Views: 5542

Re: Make bridge pins without lathe?

If you can do the taper with your peg shaver, you could then possibly put them in a drill press to shape the tops. They don't have to be too fancy. You might need to shape some sort of wooden collet to save damage to the tapered bit. Perhaps even reverse that process and shape the tops first while y...
by Dave M
Thu Dec 15, 2022 4:03 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Hello from Bavaria
Replies: 14
Views: 14701

Re: Hello from Bavaria

Some interesting work there Edi. I'm glad to see someone else building cutaway nylon strings. You have obviously thought through that curve across the centreline into the Florentine cutaway - vey interesting. You will certainly find plenty of info on falcate bracing, particularly on the Contemporary...
by Dave M
Thu Nov 24, 2022 10:00 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Inherited Tools
Replies: 2
Views: 8219

Re: Inherited Tools

Thanks Mark. I like to think I paid a reasonable price for the gauge and some nice small chisels. I work on the principle that you always say yes! A bit of wood or whatever... I acquired some lovely mahogany a while back from a clear out which has formed the head blocks of several guitars. It is a b...
by Dave M
Sun Nov 20, 2022 7:37 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Inherited Tools
Replies: 2
Views: 8219

Inherited Tools

I inherited a bunch of drill bits from my wife's father many years ago. Still when I rifle through the tobacco tin looking for the right size I think of him as a skilled mechanic repairing machinery in a factory in the midlands. As an amateur I found it hard to justify the cost of a proper thickness...
by Dave M
Fri Oct 07, 2022 9:59 pm
Forum: Contemporary Acoustic Guitar Design and Build - Trevor Gore
Topic: Curious about a mode at 146-ish Hz
Replies: 11
Views: 16035

Re: Curious about a mode at 146-ish Hz

Yes it would seem time to get some Chladni patterns though it may be hard to excite that one since it is broad and not very tall.

Have you tried tapping with open and closed soundhole? That can help pin things down to the top or back resonances.

Let us know what you find.

Cheers Dave
by Dave M
Fri Sep 30, 2022 1:01 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Dead notes on 13th fret
Replies: 11
Views: 4872

Re: Dead notes on 13th fret

I don't know. You work up a little joke and nobody notices!
by Dave M
Thu Sep 29, 2022 8:11 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Dead notes on 13th fret
Replies: 11
Views: 4872

Re: Dead notes on 13th fret

Stanley the guitar looks very smart. I suppose it would be a bit cheap to talk about wolf notes!

Anyway do let us know how you solve the problem.

Cheers Dave
by Dave M
Mon Sep 26, 2022 12:56 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: The Australian mandolin quartet
Replies: 4
Views: 10225

Re: The Australian mandolin quartet

Graham that is lovely work. It would certainly be nice to sell them as a set.

Your book is still sitting in the workshop next to a partially built flat back mandolin which since the heavy gardening season is now over in the UK might actually get some time spent finishing it!
by Dave M
Thu Sep 22, 2022 2:07 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Fox Bender Problems
Replies: 7
Views: 5713

Re: Fox Bender Problems

Yup had the same problem. Spring steel is the answer though since it rusts you need to wrap the wood in Al foil to keep the moisture off the steel. I couldn't find a supplier in the UK and ended up buying from - was it LMI or Stewmac...? Again as Bob says perhaps I just didn't know my way round the ...
by Dave M
Wed Sep 07, 2022 1:58 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Soundboard joining
Replies: 7
Views: 5329

Re: Soundboard joining

I use the old fashioned string and wedges method - couldn't find a photo of it in use but you can probaly see how it goes or find some other pics. It is a commonly used method. It will accommodate quite severely non straight outer edges, particularly if you arrange the framework the right way. Good ...
by Dave M
Tue Aug 23, 2022 2:23 am
Forum: Contemporary Acoustic Guitar Design and Build - Trevor Gore
Topic: Wood species for Falcate braces
Replies: 37
Views: 56128

Re: Wood species for Falcate braces

I think I have said this before but for the tightly bent secondaries in Sitka I use 4 thinner laminations rather than 3, bent over a hot pipe. Still get some failuires but mostly that works.

West system epoxy with some filler to increase viscosity gives a nice relaxed time to clamp up.

Cheers Dave
by Dave M
Mon Aug 08, 2022 2:17 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Cello build
Replies: 8
Views: 6380

Re: Cello build

Looks like Spruce. Would that be right? Dave