Newbie Seeks advice

[Barry Daniels]

Another book that does a great job of explaining neck carving is Robert Benedettos "Making an Archtop Guitar".

[Trevor Gore]

Another book that does a great job of explaining neck carving is Robert Benedettos "Making an Archtop Guitar".

I always wondered what happened 2" further down the cut on Photo #72, though. Not for the faint hearted...

[John Rice]

Just one thing I will say about the Cumpiano book is that things have moved on a little since it was written. This does not take away from the value of information contained therein but Mr Cumpiano acknowledges this and if you go to his site you can see some of the changes. Most necks now are bolt-on in some form or other and there is no need to make your own truss rod but if you want to the info is there. One of the best moves you have made is to have joined this forum because no matter what info you need the guys here will know it and if they don't they will know someone who does. John

[Dave Hooper]

Hi Ciaran

Nice to see someone else from this side of the pond

I've bought most of the books for building acoustics and the two that I really like are Step by Step by Alex Willis and Jonathan Kinkead's book Build your own.
Both books come with plans which will help you out to begin with, although everybody has different favourites, its I just like how they both explain things really clearly. I also have the Cumpiano book which is also excellent, but I prefer the other two.

Once you get going you will be surprised how quickly things come together. I bought a bending iron from Ebay from a seller in China (its big enough to bend Chello sides) which was quite cheap. I have now got a silicon heating blanket and a control box which has a timer and and adjustable temp controller.

For your first guitar buy some back and sides and a top, cheap will be sound - its not a good idea to buy a £600 Brazilian set and a £200 Adirondack master grade top (although you can do if you feel confident ) if things go pear shaped as they often do you will be gutted to balls them up (it's bad enough on cheap stuff as I was still gutted lol

This forum, luthiercom.org http://www.luthiercom.org the OLF http://www.luthiersforum.com , the ANZL http://www.anzlf.com,
kitguitarsforum http://www.kitguitarsforum.com and the acousticguitarforum http://www.acousticguitarforum.com are all good places to get information and also you will find different suppliers!

I hope you have a great time building as it is very addictive and you will be buying Tops,backs and sides to add to your stash in no time; this is
WAS (Wood Acquisition Syndrome) and if you ask most of the members they all suffer from it (I do lol). Please post your build as its nice to record how it was built and I hope you enjoy your newpast-time

All the best
Dave

[Ciaran Cosgrave]

Hi Ciaran

Nice to see someone else from this side of the pond ....

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the info and advice.