Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

More concurrence that it's most likely Sitka. I'm not sure when they stopped using Adirondack - probably in the 50s? Just one more comment on the appearance of Sitka = I've got some Sitka tops that are a good bit tighter (in terms of growth rings) than those. Really need a strong magnifying glass to...

I've found this to be a challenge, especially in my climate (New York) where there are pretty wide swings in temperature and humidity. I won't glue braces on in the fall, when the heat goes on and the humidity drops in the house. Frankly, I'm pretty careful not to glue the braces on until I'm able t...

Another vote for small digital scale. Here in the states you can pick one up for less than $20 at the local Target. I use a small paper cup, zero it out, add the resin and hardener in necessary proportions by weight. Really easy, and the only waste is what stays in the cup. No need to clean or dispo...

I came across a very nicely quartersawn block of Alaskan Yellow Cedar at my local lumberyard - it was essentially being sold as scrap. I was able to resaw it into a few bookmatched tops. It's got a stiffness to weight ratio much like some of my denser adirondack. Looks wonderful too - incredibly den...

Really elegant. One of the things I really love about seeing the guitars that are posted here and in other forums is that, among the guitars that show good fit and finish, like this one, there's also frequently a subtle (or not so subtle) individuality in the aesthetic that is so different from othe...

Wow.....
Now that's a perfect example of what I'm striving for (not there yet) in building. You've got to be proud - what a wonderful guitar - and fantastic sound. Bravo.

David,

What a fantastic post - I'm mostly a lurker here - more active on OLF, but thanks to this, I'll definitely be spending more time over here.

And now, I've got a craving to start a harp guitar!! So many projects, so little time!

Great video. I have a newfound respect for the work that goes into this wonderful finish!

I've followed the istructions that Hesh laid out here - although I forgot about them soaking in the "white gas" for weeks. Interestingly, they never gave the white gas the cloudy tint that's supposed to indicate that all the fat is out of the bone. Perhaps my boilling process was mostly successful. ...

What a beautiful pair of guitars.... Gives me something to shoot for. Congratulations.

Thanks very much ! Both helpful suggestions - appreciate your taking the time - I'll let you know how it progresses.

So I just looked - with admiration - at the end wedges that many of you have posted. I'm struggling with attaining those crisp tight joints where the banding ends meet. (Have a little noticeable gap that's always noticeable.) :? What's the technique that you use to cut the end of the bankding so tha...

Si, I've also used both. My Stewmac electric bending iron burned out on the third guitar - I know I can replace the heating element, but am too lazy at this point. As for the torch method - well, it's pretty much idiot proof, as long as you don't have any open solvents, piles of sawdust, or hair whi...

I've also got a lower quality (Jet?) drumsander - which was about $200 USS. This thing is worth it's weight in gold. After (badly) planing the tops and backs of guitars #1 and #2, I found that the drum sander handled the same job much better, with zero risk for tearout (was working on some figured w...