Beveled Arm Rest

[Danny Seamon]

I would like to attempt a beveled arm rest on number three. Can anyone point me to instructions? Guitar will be a dreadnaught. Thanks in advance.

[Mike Sandor]

Danny, my personal opinion is that a arm rest is a real nice feature to build in. I actually did a arm rest, chest rest and leg rest on my first acoustic build. I know, not real smart but I like a challenge. And it was a challenge, it gave me fits, took alot of time but they are just so comfortable. Could debate the effect on how the guitar sound, but that is better left to the more experienced folks here.
I am sure there are many different ways to do them but what I did was............build up the area where you want the bevel. The linings that is. I actually built up the lining using two pieces of 3/4" wood. The pictures speak a thousand words. It looks like allot of timber in that body, but most of it will get removed. The real fun was the binding.

[Mike Sandor]

I few more............ Like I said the majority of lining will get removed.

[Mark Swanson]

There should be some instructional help in our Library, Danny.

[Mario Proulx]

I'll add that for the armrest to feel really nice and comfy, it doesn't need to be even half as large as Mike's there(which are nicely done, otherwise, but whoa!, that has gotta weigh a ton...), which means the added lining material need only be minimal, also(and added weight and complexity will also be minimal).

I suggest you make a full scale "test dummy". Just use any thin wood, bend it to the shape of the upper bout, say from the waist to the tail block, add a length of lining and a piece of scrap top, back or side material, then practice carving the bevel, checking often, under your arm, for comfort. You may even find that you won't need to add -any- material to the linings!

[Danny Seamon]

Mark,

I couldn't find anything trying to search the library. Maybe it's there but I'm not finding it. Might be like me trying to find a shirt in the closet for 20 minutes and my wife walking right up and picking it out.

[Darrel Friesen]

Here's some library results Danny. Look for Grit Laskin or Tony Karol armrests. http://www.mimf.com/ksearch/ksearch.cgi ... y=50&all=1

[Mario Proulx]

Another good tutorial from the archives here:

http://www.mimf.com/old-lib/gabriel_ban ... rmrest.htm

I really like his method because it will add minimal weight.

[Mark Swanson]

Thanks for helping out when I wasn't around you guys!

[Dick (DT) Trottier]

The current edition of American Lutherie has an article by Jeffrey Yong on the beveled arm rest and the scoop cutaway that I thought was very interesting. Includes good photo's showing 'how to'...

[Danny Seamon]

All. Thanks for all the info. I recently joined the GAL and just got their magazine. I'm gonna have to give this a try. Thanks again to everyone.