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Wow. It has been years since I visited here and I can't believe I remembered my user name and password!

I am about to do a burst on a sycamore/Lutz guitar with Maple binding and was looking for...

No.
Not at all.
Didn't pull my hair out for one moment.
It wasn't as if the devil himself had planned to make my experience as frustrating as he possibly could. :crying:

Ahem... I'll go back...

Thought I might include a shot of where we stand today.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v57/nelson_luthier/Otisfinishingstitched.jpg

I think I want it darker so may strip off the few coats of...

So. Now that this is about bowing, do any of you have advice as to how to get a good tone out of my right hand? Even basic concepts would be helpful at this point. And don't tell me I had to start as...

All great stuff. Thanks to you all.

I did not expect this to go into the realm of the bow, but that has been my experience almost every time I bring up fiddles. The bow seems to be even more...

Thanks for the quick reply.

I am just now attempting to learn how to play these things. I am not very accomplished at even guitar or other instruments with frets and picks but I thought I would...

I know there are as many different theories about fiddle finish as there are builders but I have a question about neck finishing. I have been building a fiddle for way too long a time now and am...

I haven't posted here for a while but I am a guitar guy.

It is not unusual for different makers to use different tapers and even sizes of pins. A matchingreamer is the best way to fit these.
...

Corrugated soles have some small benefits.

First, they are easier to true up because there isn't as much metal to remove to get them flat.

Second, when planing green or pitchy wood the sticky...

Oh, you will when ever I get around to another mandolin build.

Greg N

Hi everyone,

For the most part I just lurk on this forum and don't have much to say. While I do enjoy mandolin building acoustic steel strings seem to take up most of my shop time. I was lucky...

I must stress that this tool is for roughing in the shape. I wouldn't even think of doing a final fit mechanically.

Greg N

Can't tell you which one is best but I just have to plug St. James Bay Tool Co.
Once you get to the page pick "tools" and then "Luthier's tools" and get out your credit card! Good tools, excellent...

Doh! Why didn't I think of that? You can get it in white, blue, day glow orange...

I don't know if it is always true but be careful of the red stuff. I have seen it bleed through primer and paint...

Chalk works good with dark bridges. Pencil graphite works good with light woods like maple. Carbon paper too.

Greg N

So the paper is loose on one end and attached at the other? Makes sense. My system was just for roughing in the shape but it works fairly well. I still hand fit after.

Greg N

Are you guys talking about something like this?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v57/nelson_luthier/mandofitbridge.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v57/nelson_luthier/mandofitbridge2.jpg
...

I have built two steel string acoustics with Goncalo Alves. Nice tone but a bit#$ to bend. Broke a side or two, but I am better at it now and think I could do it without problems. Beautiful and...

I haven't posted here for a long time but thought I would share a thought or two on this.

I think everyone would agree that the "best" method for jointing a top or back is a nice long plane that...

Check out St. James Tool Company Go to the "tools" tab and then the "luthiers tools" tab. You will not be disappointed. This guy really knows his stuff and the blades are thick and high grade steel....

What a difference in tempo and feel!

Greg N

Guadalupe Strings sent me an email today with the following little film clip attached. It was made by a customer who got to watch as they made a string for him.

Enjoy!

Making a string

Greg N

Bigger is always better in a band saw, but most important is the guides and tracking. I have an older version of the Rigid with a riser block and it works great for most work. It has a 3/4 HP motor...

You really can't do this to any great degree. Move side to side and the strings won't line up with the neck. Move head to tail and there goes your intonation. I am not really sure about what you are...

The west system is like honey and won't penetrate as well as Smiths penetrating epoxy sealer. I have used this for years under the trade name of "Restores it". It mixes up as thin as water and has...