Official Luthiers Forum!

I'll start by saying that I currently don't have a place to build so I don't need information immediately. I'm just a bit curious and would like to start planning and preparing for when I finally get to build again.

The thing is I've been listening to a lot of classical guitar lately and would like to start learning some myself. However, since I know that I can build a very nice guitar for fairly cheap I can't justify the money I would spend strait up buying one. My favorite songs to listen to are the works of Sergei Orekhov. From what I can tell he played on a Scherzer modified to have a 7 string neck. Closest thing I can find to that plan wise is the CRANE Stauffer plans.

Now here come my questions. I've only built one guitar before and this would be my first on my own. Would it be a good idea to try and build the Stauffer, but modify the plans for a 7 string neck, or should I wait until my skills improve a bit first? Another thing is that being a typical poor college student I don't have a whole lot of tools, and nothing really fancy. What would you consider the absolute minimum set up I would need before to attempt a build on my own. I need to ask because last time I built a guitar I had full access to a pretty nice shop set up for the purpose of building instruments.

I built my first guitar as a college student on my kitchen table. I had the basic tools necessary and made other ones like specialty clamps and purfling cutters. It's doable for sure but you may be frustrated since you already experienced a professional shop. I'm of the opinion that you should go for it. No better way to learn then by doing. Just use lower grade materials to cut costs so that any mistakes are not so costly.

I appreciate the honesty. I'm fairly confident in my abilities but at the same time have no interest in biting off more than I can chew and ending up with an instrument that I can't be proud of. I'd still like to try for the 6 string Stauffer yet, but I also have an uncle who would like me to build an instrument for him so I might consider starting that one first.

Ideally I'd get to start building around christmas time when I'm off for break, so between now and then I'll probably be here a couple more times to ask questions and such.

Again thanks for the input, can't wait to get building again.

I'll second what Filippo says almost to the letter. My second build was an LMI serviced Hauser kit - the nice thing about the kit is that it will save you buying some special tools for side bending, fretboard mitering, neck shaping. You still will need to invest in some tools - small router and some special bits, fret and nut files, etc. Mine is a very playable guitar for my limited classical skills. I finished in nitro, the one thing I would change is to do it in French Polish (keeping with the classical theme)

Since it was a kit, I did a build thread at the kit guitar forum

http://www.kitguitarsforum.com/archives ... 82_0_9_0_C

http://www.kitguitarsforum.com/archives ... 86_0_6_0_C

Cumpiano's book is probably the best reference to show you what you are getting into - that will give you a good idea of whether you have both the tools and skill to pull this off.

Build a 6 string
Dont build it for any one but yourself
The way I look at it
There is a 10% chance it will be way better than you hoped.....you keep it.
A 25% chance that it will be an Absolut lemon (unfortunately this is not a cocktail).......Mother in Law gets it
and an 75% chance it will be somewhere in the between.......Uncle will be delighted
110%
Go for it and good luck!

You might want to check out Robbie O'Brien's online video course, it's about 25 hrs or so of instruction. I don't have any immediate plans to build a classical and I've really enjoyed the bits I've watched so far. The format allows him to take lots of time showing every step.

http://www.obrienguitars.com/?page_id=84

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Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR