Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

On our last few guitars we have graduated the back braces down to nothing and let the sides squash the remaining sliver of spruce. I feel that it does make for a very personal sounding and feeling guitar. You can feel the back vibrating aginst you chest when you play it and it makes for a little ext...

Thanks everyone for the kind comments. Kim - I've got some Jarrah here but it just doesn't seem to have that same intensity under finish that the Bloodwod does. If I could find some a bit more vivid I'd give it a go. I found that a light touch works better with sanding the bloodwood and using the ru...

Thanks very much Sam. I'm all embarrassed after such a nice complement. :oops: I'm trying to find bindings that complement the back and side woods whilst not getting too much contrast between them. The last one we did, the Myrtle OM was an example of this. A few people turned their noses up at it wh...

It acts like a high powered rheostat - ie light dimmer. The blanket I've got is rated at 1500 watts so so it sucks far too much juice to use a standard light dimmer. You've got to be very vigilant using these things. The get so hot, so quick that they'll set fire to your side bender if you get distr...

Here's the fruits of my labours for the past few days. This is the Nano-jumbo, Barge-arse model. I think we'll call them " Fat Bottomed Girls". I'm sort of hoping this shape works 'cause there's 3 of them in various stages of construction at present. :? Tassie Blackwood back http://www.mcguitars.com...

G'day Showtell and welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have or are going to build a Fox bender or similar. Originally the Fox bender was heated by 150 watt light globes but controlling the heat was a problem and they took a long time to warm up. The blanket will get to around 300 degrees C in arou...

Might be an idea to keep things simple to start with Allen and just order some .010" and see how things pan out. My Chinglish aint real flash either. By the kilogram . Hmm. Even one kilo should be a fair old amount of the stuff. What uses do you want to put it to? We really only use it for neck lami...

We've been using .010" (.25mm) in necks as per the pic below Allen. I wouldnt mind getting some .060" to use for bindings and headplates. If you find a supplier I'll jump on board with a group buy. We're just about out and need some more fairly soon. Cheers Bob http://www.mcguitars.com.au/phpBB2/use...

Is this any use Matt?

http://www.vulcanizedfibre.com/vulcmake.htm

Speaking of Kev Bloody Wilson here's a vid of him on youtube for anyone who has never heard of him. WARNING This contains absolutely foul language and some nudity so if you think you may be offended please do not click on this link. If you do want to watch it make sure you watch the lot. He plays an...

Remember the Ervin vids that were up on the OLF for a little while. They are definitely worth a look if you haven't seen them. Well I've still got them if anyone wants a squiz. http://www.connor.net.au/somogyi/index.html Craig - I know you're bandwidth challenged. If you want 'em let me know and I'l...

How long and at what temperature are you cooking for Hesh?

I've got some King Billy here that looks like it could be good with some broccoli and cheese sauce.

The King Billy is currently sitting at about 12% MC.


Cheers

Bob

I think Ervin's current starting price is $25,000 USD Serge

Don't think it has rubber in it Matt. It's either made of wood or cloth fibre. I've tried everywhere to source it in Australia with no luck. LMI sell it for $12.15USD per 6" x 36" sheet and we use 4 sheets in a neck. So it's quite expensive. Bob Cefalu http://www.rctonewoods.com sells it for $6.00US...

Here's some pics of the cross braces we do for backs. We've been considering putting another brace across the lower bout to maintain the radius on the back but we really like what the flexibilty of this back does to the coupling effect with the top. You can really feel the back vibrating as you play...

Hey Allen - if you're wondering how the big ugly guitar like stuff got into your post, you can blame Hesh.

He's been playing around with the swear filter to change dre@dnought.

Bob

I really like that Ab/Paua shell in thin strips like you've done there Paul. Dave and I were using fairly wide stuff but I think it's a little too over the top. Subtle bling. hmm Oxymoron for sure but it works. Have you thought of binding the soundhile with a thin B/W/B if you think the Ab isn't qui...

G'day Allen and welcome. I just spotted your new one over at the OLF. Looks absolutely stunning. There'd have to be a couple of XXXX's to celebrate finishing that one. :gui The red in the purflings sit really nicely with that EIR. Very subtle. How does the cypress compare tonally to traditional soun...

Have a great day Hesh.

Rest the bones for tomorrow's swapmeet.

Bob

It's vulcanised paper or fish paper Matt. Technically it's wood or rag fibre. I get it from the States as I haven't been able to find a source for it here in Australia. It's the same sort of stuff that you'll find in electric guitar pickups only thinner. Traditionally it was used for insulation in e...

The back is attached to the sides now Dennis and it has a very vibrant, rosewoody tone to it. Sort of that mettalic ring that BRW gives. So I reckon it'll sound very nice if we get the top right. This guitar is part of a set of four 0-18 style guitars. 1. Goncalo Alves/Adirondack Spruce 2. Tas Black...

Serge wrote:
If that post bothers people, i'm making a public apology and wouldn't mind having it removed.

Serge

No need to remove it Serge. This thread is a great example of how people should conduct themselves online and be able to question whilst still being civil and not offending anyone.

Bob

Thanks for that Dennis

The sides were at .075 so I really don't want to take them down much more than that as I like to keep them as stiff as possible.

I certainly would like to hear Grant's thoughts on this.


Bob

I think I see someones head in there.

Native Olive is shaping up to be a winner despite issues with supply. I currently have a good supply in board form which would produce a significant number of sets if I can work around heart shake and borer holes. Tim The heart shake in the set that I got from you is outside what I'd use for most g...