Any Guitar Luthiers (or finishers) in the Crowd?

[Scott B.]

I've got the itch...and I've got a slab of 12 year acclimated mahogany laid out and ready to cut in the shop...like I need another project  [scared]

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I'm not a luthier, but here's a great supplier of cool luthier stuff and tips: Stewart McDonald

Its also great for tone deaf woodworkers like me who do inlay or other small precise work.

 

[peter halle]

Good luck Scott!

Fritter63 has built some guitars.  Here is one of his threads:  http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/i've-started-a-new-guitar-project/

Peter

 

[Scott B.]

Wow, acoustic is a real art. Thats a great project.

I am starting on the electric body side. Beefy ass electric.

 

[Scott B.]

I'm not a luthier, but here's a great supplier of cool luthier stuff and tips: Stewart McDonald

Its also great for tone deaf woodworkers like me who do inlay or other small precise work.

Thanks for the link Jesse. I appreciate that. I am gathering as much intel on the topic as I can.

 

[tiralie]

I've got the itch...and I've got a slab of 12 year acclimated mahogany laid out and ready to cut in the shop...like I need another project  [scared]

I am not a guitar maker (another deep dark hole) but there is a fairly active Musical Instrument / Luthiers Forum on the Target Coatings site.

Tim

 

[Scott B.]

I've got the itch...and I've got a slab of 12 year acclimated mahogany laid out and ready to cut in the shop...like I need another project  [scared]

I am not a guitar maker (another deep dark hole) but there is a fairly active Musical Instrument / Luthiers Forum on the Target Coatings site.

Tim

I don't think there is room for another forum in my life at this point. But, you know I will have to look. Thanks Tim.  [unsure]

 

[joraft]

Thanks for the link Jesse. I appreciate that. I am gathering as much intel on the topic as I can.

This isn't widely known, but Jameel Abraham of Benchcrafted is also a very accomplished luthier (among many other things).

You may find some useful information on his blog: Khalaf Oud Luthiery

 

[Scott B.]

Thanks John, I don't know whether to go start cutting up the blank or to keep reading!

 

[joraft]

Thanks John, I don't know whether to go start cutting up the blank or to keep reading!

I recommend more reading first, cutting can be so permanent.  [smile]

 

[Scott B.]

Thanks John, I don't know whether to go start cutting up the blank or to keep reading!

I recommend more reading first, cutting can be so permanent.  [smile]

Its just wood  [smile]

I rescued this slab out of a dumpster 12 years ago and have been storing (acclimating) it in the shop ever since. Never was sure what I'd make of it, but the dimensions and cut of it are what luthier suppliers charge hundreds for. Its just begging to be a solid body, and my former dumpster diving habit bordered on alchemist delusions.

 

[Sean7a]

A Festool customer of ours is quite the guitar aficionado / creator.  I'll see if I can get'er to pop in over here.

 

[Scott B.]

A Festool customer of ours is quite the guitar aficionado / creator.  I'll see if I can get'er to pop in over here.

You can only be referring to Linda M?

 

[Scott B.]

Here's the slab...

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And here she is in the (rather) rough...

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[Sean7a]

Ya best keep us abreast with updated photos as the process moves along.  It'll be very cool to watch.

 

[Scott B.]

Ya best keep us abreast with updated photos as the process moves along.  It'll be very cool to watch.

Will do. This was unfortunately the easiest part! There are some hours to put into it. Already getting me a whole new appreciation for contours. The RAS will be coming into play here.

 

[fritter63]

Good luck Scott!

Fritter63 has built some guitars.  Here is one of his threads:  http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/i've-started-a-new-guitar-project/

Peter

:wave:

Scott, feel free to contact me with any questions, but unfortunately I've never built an electric. I usually call them "A tree trunk with a pickup".  [cool]

Here's another good site from Kathy, who is one of my (online) mentors:

Kathy's Lutherie site

She's acoustic focused too however.

Another good source for materials is StewMac (www.stewmac.com)

WARNING: Lutherie is the most complicated, failure prone, and frustrating form of woodworking. And HIGHLY addictive.

I've currently got 3 more sets of tonewoods I just got on EBay to make more acoustics, including a QS White Oak set (just because of
the novelty) and an incredible set of Cocobolo back and sides which I plan to present to my youngest son (who plays four instruments including guitar) for his high school graduation present (as a finished guitar, of course!)).

Also planning to put together a small kit CNC machine this year to use for making guitar necks, bridges, and inlays myself.

 

[Scott B.]

Wow, Fritter, thanks!

Yes, I can see what you are saying about lutherie. It is a remarkable art. I am hoping not to get too far drawn into building because my more serious passion lies on the finishing side of them. I have some ideas in the works, and I am building this first body as much as a guinea pig as anything. So, I am trying not to get attached. When I get into working with wood, I get wicked into it. Making that much mahogany dust with a blade and not abrasives was a bit exhilarating.

I templated this first body off one of my strats, just because it is the body style I grew up with and can most easily relate to visually as a finish test.

Who knows where the path will lead...

 

[fritter63]

Maybe we can work out a deal. I Hate (and suck at) spraying laquer. This last one I used tru oil just to avid the laquer and make it easy.

Guitars 3&4 took like 30 hours for the laquer finish.

 

[Scott B.]

Maybe we can work out a deal. I Hate (and suck at) spraying laquer. This last one I used tru oil just to avid the laquer and make it easy.

Guitars 3&4 took like 30 hours for the laquer finish.

I want to find a balanced finish approach/schedule that can basically exceed the tonality and aesthetic of the nitro finishes of the 60's, but without the toxicity. I have learned alot already about critical factors in the relationship between coating and tone. That is why I dont want to get sucked into the lutherie side (which will be difficult not to). I know enough about the craft and who some of the best examples are from that field...it is a life and a lifetimes work to achieve mastery in that discipline, to truly understand wood in that context...deeply. I don't want to do that learning curve. But on the finish side...thats a whole 'nother story. Thats the world I live in. Plus, I just love guitars. Not just solid bodies either. It would be a kick to turn out a sunburst that the world has not seen yet.