Search found 771 matches

by blackalex1952
Thu Dec 24, 2015 4:35 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Stainless truss rod vs plain steel
Replies: 5
Views: 6267

Re: Stainless truss rod vs plain steel

The reason I asked is that there are ones on eBay...the stainless ones have blue wrap and the others a red wrap. The stainless ones are cheaper. I have used Gotoh style from ALS, these look remarkably similar.BTW, free postage.
by blackalex1952
Thu Dec 24, 2015 4:32 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Stainless truss rod vs plain steel
Replies: 5
Views: 6267

Re: Stainless truss rod vs plain steel

With a stainless steel rod you can spill coffee on your fretboard and not have to worry about the truss rod rusting :mrgreen:
And in some rare cases, BEER!
by blackalex1952
Thu Dec 24, 2015 1:36 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Stainless truss rod vs plain steel
Replies: 5
Views: 6267

Stainless truss rod vs plain steel

What is the comparison between a dual action stainless steel truss rod and a plain steel one? Has any one been using the Chinese ones available on ebay?
by blackalex1952
Wed Dec 23, 2015 12:15 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: The zero fret
Replies: 27
Views: 31304

Re: The zero fret

The score so far.....Frets 1. Nuts 0.
But in a binary system, both scores are valid. :)
by blackalex1952
Sun Dec 20, 2015 11:50 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: The zero fret
Replies: 27
Views: 31304

Re: The zero fret

Zero frets stop the strings from sticking. They are traditionally used in particular on Selmer Maccaferri style guitars and seem to help because of the nature of the silver plated copper wound strings used for both tone and the 670mm scale length. They are mellower than phos bronze or brass and have...
by blackalex1952
Tue Dec 15, 2015 10:01 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Routing tear out
Replies: 10
Views: 9407

Re: Routing tear out

Thanks for the recommendation - sounds like a pretty versatile tool. The wife did say one tool for Christmas, but if one fits into the other and it really is a package set ... Maybe your wife was referring to something else, my friend...... Seriously though, the set comes as a set from Sydney Tools...
by blackalex1952
Tue Dec 15, 2015 4:11 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Routing tear out
Replies: 10
Views: 9407

Re: Routing tear out

Pete I recommend this trimmer, I have one and also the plunge base. Solid as, variable speed, soft start metal body and even the height adjustment pinion is metal. RTO700C $179AU and with the plunge base $269AU I use it for just about everything, neck pockets, truss rods, soundholes, cf neck reo, sa...
by blackalex1952
Fri Dec 11, 2015 1:34 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Chladni and VA tests ???
Replies: 61
Views: 79692

Re: Chladni and VA tests ???

Craig Bumgarner wrote: but early on, I laid the pieces on my wood stove until they got nice and toasty.
We Aussies put vegemite on things that are toasted!
by blackalex1952
Fri Dec 11, 2015 12:33 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Chladni and VA tests ???
Replies: 61
Views: 79692

Re: Chladni and VA tests ???

Love yr work Craig! Thanks for chiming in.
by blackalex1952
Thu Dec 10, 2015 11:03 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Chladni and VA tests ???
Replies: 61
Views: 79692

Re: Chladni and VA tests ???

Of course, where should I be carving the braces-where the X intersects, between the bridge and the soundhole on the X braces, the finger braces or the neck side of the X intersection. Finger braces pretty light already...?
by blackalex1952
Thu Dec 10, 2015 10:27 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Chladni and VA tests ???
Replies: 61
Views: 79692

Re: Chladni and VA tests ???

So...back to the X brace guitar I am learning about, you know, the guitar everyone makes, except for the intrepid falcate fellows. Jeff, my bridge rotation seems to be only 1 degree, even though the bracing south of the bridge is rather light. So I'll take the plunge and dive into the scary bit! At ...
by blackalex1952
Thu Dec 10, 2015 10:12 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Chladni and VA tests ???
Replies: 61
Views: 79692

Re: Chladni and VA tests ???

My method works, I've done it. Bend two halves to 6deg, shoot at a slight angle crosswise,and straight lengthwise (see shooting board) so the join has the least amount of stress and candles well then when the braces are glued on the top is clamped at the edges and it is fine fine fine Eccles!In fact...
by blackalex1952
Thu Dec 10, 2015 7:15 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Chladni and VA tests ???
Replies: 61
Views: 79692

Re: Chladni and VA tests ???

I have a theory about the Busato "bombe". Busato made his soundboards from multiple pieces of spruce. I think he probable bent each one to a different angle, shot them and joined, the outside ones not as bent. That way he minimised the stress on the top and was, perhaps, able to recycle timbers from...
by blackalex1952
Thu Dec 10, 2015 6:27 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Current Build - Falcate Braced Multiscale OM cutaway
Replies: 217
Views: 201335

Re: Current Build - Falcate Braced Multiscale OM cutaway

In the interest of my McBudget,as an ex picture framer I have lots of old glass offcuts lying around and an oil cutter. I use bits of freshly cut glass as scrapers a lot of the time (must use an oil cutter with kero in it). They lose their edge quickly so as soon as the glass fails to pull shavings ...
by blackalex1952
Thu Dec 10, 2015 6:05 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Chladni and VA tests ???
Replies: 61
Views: 79692

Re: Chladni and VA tests ???

My pliage method. I have a shooting board which is angled in two planes. See pix I made a bending pipe jig with elements in it which allows me to repeatedly bend to a set angle. It would be possible to make it work in two planes as well, so that the edges of the assembled board are not forced straig...
by blackalex1952
Thu Dec 10, 2015 2:14 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Chladni and VA tests ???
Replies: 61
Views: 79692

Re: Chladni and VA tests ???

Thanks Jeff! Bridge rotation is the next step...I forgot to mention it...I took the box to the Luthiers meet in Melbourne and had a few luthiers check it out, as it's the first fixed bridge guitar I have made, have been mucking around with Selmacs, also lots of repairs over the years. The general co...
by blackalex1952
Thu Dec 10, 2015 12:44 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Chladni and VA tests ???
Replies: 61
Views: 79692

Re: Chladni and VA tests ???

The X brace height is 15mm I'm just waiting till I get some brass flat for the side mass and I'll see how far I get with it. The other thought I have is to experiment with a Tornavoz Right now, however, disaster has struck...sudden freak storm two days ago has wreched my access road and flooded the ...
by blackalex1952
Thu Dec 10, 2015 10:19 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Chladni and VA tests ???
Replies: 61
Views: 79692

Re: Chladni and VA tests ???

Since you have regular X bracing, it probably will not take much scalloping, or general height reduction, to bring the top down to 190 and that will push the air down towards 100. Thanks, Jeff. It is not "regular X bracing" It is graduated and not scalloped and is SO LIGHT that I am scared to take ...
by blackalex1952
Wed Dec 09, 2015 5:09 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Chladni and VA tests ???
Replies: 61
Views: 79692

Re: Chladni and VA tests ???

Current report. I have glued the 20g walnut bridge to the guitar. The resonances I have now are 103Hz and 200Hz...too high. When I carved the soundboard, I experimented with a scalloped edge around the inside perimeter of the top for two reasons. Firstly, I had this hair brained idea that scalloping...
by blackalex1952
Wed Dec 09, 2015 1:48 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Help in Sydney? Experienced wood expert needed...
Replies: 10
Views: 9818

Re: Help in Sydney? Experienced wood expert needed...

Worm holes? Hopefully there is a load of BR at the end of the worm hole in a parallel universe! He can keep the doggy doo!
by blackalex1952
Wed Dec 09, 2015 1:20 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Help in Sydney? Experienced wood expert needed...
Replies: 10
Views: 9818

Re: Help in Sydney? Experienced wood expert needed...

Dogshit and worms??? Sounds like a job for a veterinarian!!!
I have heard that BR smells more like a rose...unless "Rose" was the dog's name...
This might help, from the wood database:
http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-ide ... -rosewood/
by blackalex1952
Tue Dec 08, 2015 5:10 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Fretted to Fretless Conversion
Replies: 30
Views: 25759

Re: Fretted to Fretless Conversion

Firstly it would help to know the type of wood the fretboard is made of CA glue is superglue veneer can be found from a veneer manufacturer or importer. A slab of beer to the storeman or a small donation to the office Christmas party fund might get you the kind of quantity you need If the fingerboar...
by blackalex1952
Tue Dec 08, 2015 8:42 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Greg Smallman
Replies: 2
Views: 4500

Greg Smallman

I met Greg in the 1970's at a conference where I worked. My job was to do an audio recording of a presentation by Greg and his associate at the time, Peter Biffin. These two guys had me so entranced that I completely mucked up the recording levels, something I never did, usually! I have the tape som...
by blackalex1952
Tue Dec 08, 2015 8:28 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Fretted to Fretless Conversion
Replies: 30
Views: 25759

Re: Fretted to Fretless Conversion

Thanks for the link Craig. I like their bridge clamp!