Search found 36 matches

by Karl Hoyt
Sun Oct 09, 2016 3:25 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Quality classical tuners recemendation wanted
Replies: 5
Views: 9884

Re: Quality classical tuners recemendation wantes

I've used the schaller classical tuners many times before... Well made IMO and decent price
by Karl Hoyt
Sun Oct 09, 2016 9:18 am
Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
Topic: Tone woods- how are they determined. Measurement, opinion
Replies: 11
Views: 15616

Re: Tone woods- how are they determined. Measurement, opinion

I have a totally different view of 'tone' woods... Well.. Maybe not so different. My attitude about luthiery is that every single instrument we build develops its own personality. From a cigar box tele to an Adirondack/Brazilian beauty, they all have their own personality: which has as much to do wi...
by Karl Hoyt
Tue Oct 04, 2016 3:30 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: 4th times a charm
Replies: 17
Views: 18161

Re: 4th times a charm

I will be when I retire - then my StewMac habit will have to go way down. :? I'm retiring at the end of the year, and while my shop has been getting a make-over, I've been laying in both tools and supplies while still on the corporate payroll. In retirement the hours are great, but the pay sucks!! ...
by Karl Hoyt
Mon Sep 26, 2016 2:17 pm
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Nitro finish challenge
Replies: 11
Views: 11814

Re: Nitro finish challenge

I like the Target stuff too, Bob. I did a guitar that was going to be a donation with the EM6000. Built up a nice coat and sanded it flat with (I think) 400..... Then a couple more finishing coats. I let it sit for about a month. Dry sanded through 1000 grit and then 'wet' sanded with 2000 grit and ...
by Karl Hoyt
Sat Sep 24, 2016 9:20 am
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Nitro finish challenge
Replies: 11
Views: 11814

Re: Nitro finish challenge

I shoot my nitro in an unheated shed. Once the final coat of the day is on , I shut the doors and windows to preserve the heat of the day as much as possible. So even if it goes down to freezing at night , the temp in the shed doesn't. When the temp is REALLY going to drop, I hang mine in the house ...
by Karl Hoyt
Fri Sep 23, 2016 7:06 pm
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Nitro finish challenge
Replies: 11
Views: 11814

Re: Nitro finish challenge

Jeez...... This sounds like an acoustic I was trying to get the finish on. Back in June/July. I'd have a decent day or two... Then the heat/humidity would roll in... Wait a couple weeks until the next decent day... Shoot some more. Etc etc.....very unnerving. If you have everything all set to go, yo...
by Karl Hoyt
Thu Sep 22, 2016 10:59 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: a uke for my daughter
Replies: 3
Views: 5404

Re: a uke for my daughter

I like it a lot.... Cool woods, just the right amount of finish....your daughter should be very pleased.
by Karl Hoyt
Tue Sep 20, 2016 4:59 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Guitar Builder who doesn't own a guitar....until.....
Replies: 6
Views: 7995

Re: Guitar Builder who doesn't own a guitar....until.....

But just for arguments' sake, what's your offer , Roger?

No , no .... Just kidding!
by Karl Hoyt
Tue Sep 20, 2016 4:04 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Planes for carving guitar tops - recommendations?
Replies: 27
Views: 42991

Re: Planes for carving guitar tops - recommendations?

For a birthday or maybe it was fathers' day, I got the Lie Nielsen version of the squirrel tail plane.... That thing is awesome... Plus a smaller IBEX finger plane which , oddly enough had a rounded sole but a squared off blade.... Still working that to a rounder shape. I saw some bronze IBEX knock-...
by Karl Hoyt
Tue Sep 20, 2016 3:55 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Guitar Builder who doesn't own a guitar....until.....
Replies: 6
Views: 7995

Re: Guitar Builder who doesn't own a guitar....until.....

Rodger Knox wrote:That's really nice. How much did you say you wanted for it? :lol:
Haha Mr. Knox......I've lost a couple personal instruments to people who saw them and had to have them... But this one is staying here! 8-) .
by Karl Hoyt
Tue Sep 20, 2016 10:56 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Guitar Builder who doesn't own a guitar....until.....
Replies: 6
Views: 7995

Re: Guitar Builder who doesn't own a guitar....until.....

O.k., Mr. Rodgers... Here's a shot of the back. You'll notice that I didn't try and keep the guitar totally original to a 12 fret 000. The neck was a cast-off blank from a student who left the class, the tuners are the Kluson jazz style tuners that I got a great deal from WD music on. I had a recycl...
by Karl Hoyt
Mon Sep 19, 2016 10:01 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Guitar Builder who doesn't own a guitar....until.....
Replies: 6
Views: 7995

Guitar Builder who doesn't own a guitar....until.....

It's amazing to think that I've been building all kinds of stringed instruments for decades now and I don't own one myself! OH.......I have kept instruments for myself over the years, but it seems that my nephews (there are six that play bass or guitar) tend to call and say stuff like 'Uncle Karl......
by Karl Hoyt
Mon Sep 19, 2016 1:06 pm
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: How to certify Brazilian rosewood.
Replies: 6
Views: 8360

Re: How to certify Brazilian rosewood.

I haven't heard that. That may apply to high volume importers/exporters.... The whole process is as clear as mud, and at least for now, as David says, if you have no intention of exporting it and it's staying in the states, just use it. There are a couple other people on MIMF with actual experience ...
by Karl Hoyt
Sun Sep 18, 2016 10:59 am
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: How to certify Brazilian rosewood.
Replies: 6
Views: 8360

Re: How to certify Brazilian rosewood.

I have a number of sets of BRW when I bought out the remaining wood from a deceased luthier. So I looked into this. US dept of Fish and Wildlife control all the permitting for Brazilian. They have certification applications for people with BRW guitars that travel from country to country, as well as ...
by Karl Hoyt
Sun Sep 18, 2016 10:50 am
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: I don't speak legalese...
Replies: 9
Views: 12210

Re: I don't speak legalese...

My approach to this, which has yielded only one return/refund is to have a series of phone or e-mail discussions about specs. Then I write up a 'formal' spec sheet outlining all the materials/hardware/electronics/finish/etc. Iindicate the price, down payment required, and estimated date of delivery....
by Karl Hoyt
Sun Jul 31, 2016 8:45 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: hot air gun for bending binding?
Replies: 18
Views: 26804

Re: hot air gun for bending binding?

I bend my guitar sides old school over iron pipes: I have a 2" diameter pipe and a 4" diameter pipe: both have baffles in the end. For a couple decades I used a torch to heat the pipe. It's always a challenge to get the heat just right to avoid scorching. I teach an acoustic guitar buildin...
by Karl Hoyt
Sun Sep 01, 2013 10:59 am
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Wipe-on Poly. Is it usable?
Replies: 18
Views: 17935

Re: Wipe-on Poly. Is it usable?

I use Minwax rubbing polyurethane (or home-made wiping poly...... which is essentially polyurethane thinned down with mineral spirits) a lot on electric guitars and basses. I teach guitar building at a high school on Cape Cod and this is the finish we use for all our builds: acoustic and electric. I...
by Karl Hoyt
Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:20 am
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Mini Archtop 14"
Replies: 22
Views: 23237

Re: Mini Archtop 14"

I love it (the guitar and the grandfather part) The artistic touches are just wonderful. I am very interested in knowing how the bridge/tailpiece will hold up over time. I have built one small bodied (15") archtop with overhanging tops. I love the violin-esque look of the overhanging plates tho...
by Karl Hoyt
Tue Jun 19, 2012 6:30 pm
Forum: Jam Session
Topic: Fennel
Replies: 13
Views: 13911

Re: Fennel

I just transplanted my fennel to a place in teh garden where it will be less invasive...... mine was about 4' tall... so now it's ovber near the mint in the north corner of the garden, where it won't overshadow my garden beds.... (i have the non-bulb type, when I cut it way back, it looked like bamb...
by Karl Hoyt
Tue May 01, 2012 6:41 am
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Inlay Bits
Replies: 18
Views: 20078

Re: Inlay Bits

I love my stew-mac dremel router base and a spiral downcutting bits. I'm no inlay whiz, but i get consistently good results.

have a great day , all

Karl

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