MIMF

I tried to learn to use sketch up a couple of years ago but didn't stick with it long enough to gain any proficiency. I know there's tons of video tutorials out there, are there any you know of that are particularly useful for instrument makers?

I've been really curious what flattops with f-holes sound like. I've never gotten my hands on one but have seen a few pictures. Do you notice a difference between them and guitars with round soundholes located in the usual place or not so much? I've heard some things here and there about f-holes and...

There was an article in American Lutherie a while back that showed someone -John Calkin I believe- bending the ides to a hurdy gurdy (IIRC) with a clothes iron. Definitely not very dramatic radii, but he did it. I agree that a pipe and torch are the best way to start out bending. You can use your cl...

I've always done it prior because I haven't invested the time and/or money in a jig. Cutting afterward definitely makes sense. Anyone willing to share their setup? I've looked at the building the O'Brien Jig and I've also looked at the Luthier Tool jigs which look very nice but $$$. I have the LMI ...

Maybe take a look at a some images of Miguel Rodriguez soundboards to get an idea of bracing above the waist. Kind of an A brace like Alan mentioned, but the "straps" of the Rodriguez are a bit wider and serve double duty as soundhole reinforcement. They run thru the UTB and I believe are ...

On my steel string guitars so far I've done a simple 2 bolt mortise and tenon neck joint, and have always cut the mortise in the block before gluing it in. Had no problems. But I hear the sweet song of the great dovetail cult a' calling and I can't resist any longer. I can't think of a reason not to...

Has anyone ever made a first guitar without at least a hundred little mistakes to plague you forever? -Eric Yep. It's enough to make you sick at first but just keep at it and you'll get better. Also, a lot of people will tell you to hold on to your first instrument. For me, it was healthier to let ...

what pencils do you all use for marking your darker woods? Straining my eyes looking for the grey/black line on darker woods gets less fun as the years go on. I've tried a few varieties of colored pencils but none seem to mark that well on wood. Grease pencils are ok for labeling but not for marking...

Not to derrail the thread, but I'm thinking of building a parlor for my sister. Would you guys recommend any particular wood to compliment a redwood top? My sister isn't really a true player, so will probably be too lazy to develop calluses--thus short scale and low tensions. She's a slender, asian...

I like katalox so far. I've done half a dozen bridges and some fingerboards with it.
I did a bloodwood bridge for my first nylon string guitar. looks kinda funny but sounds just fine (to my ears), and is pretty easy to work with hand tools.

Nice work Stephen. I think I recognize the rosette on that first guitar from over at foroflamenco?

Thanks Freeman.

Nice looking Weissenborn, thanks for the pics.

I've been wondering about the bracing schedule in the old flattop Hawaiian guitars a lot lately. Thinking mostly of instruments like the square neck Gibson HG's, Roy Smeck's etc (not Weissenborns). I've never owned or gotten to work on one, and I can't find much info anywhere online or in Erlewine's...