Official Luthiers Forum!

Howdy All!

I've been itching to begin my first project. It's one thing to "restore" an old guitar but it's another animal to produce one from 'scratch'.

So, here goes.

Q: Has anyone ever had a fear of beginning a first project?

Q2: Where should I start? I've searched these topics and how to economize my tools. Should I just set my goals on a particular style of guitar and purchase the wood?

Q3: Can I plan out a project without a kit or blueprint? (What I mean is, has anyone ever strayed by making their own blueprint?)

Q4: Any tips/warnings for first timers? Beginner's woods?

*I'm anxious to begin but don't want my first to be a complete disaster!

Thanks for your assistance!
Jim S.

Welcome
1) We all have fears with every project
2) The best way to start is with a kit. Stew Mac, LMI, and Blues Creek all
have nice kits with nice wood
3) You can certainly start without a kit, many have.
We have great plans available above
4) Tips
Ask a lot of questions. We all can help. We all have been there!!!!!!
As far as beginner woods, use good tonewoods that are not too
expensive or are too figured. EIR is great for Backs and Sides. A good
spruce top.

Everyone makes mistakes and they are never a disaster, but a learning
process. We were all a your place not that long ago

_________________
Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Jim-
Welcome!
[QUOTE=Jim68]

Q2: Where should I start? I've searched these topics and how to economize my tools. Should I just set my goals on a particular style of guitar and purchase the wood?

[/QUOTE]
The cheapest way to get the woods for a single guitar is to buy a kit of some type- an 'unserviced kit' from LMI will give you a box of parts; 'serviced kits' have pre-bent sides, rosettes inlaid etc which can save you a lot of $$ in tools and jigs if you are just starting out. John Hall (BluesCreek Guitars- see top of page in Sponsor area) gets excellent reviews for his kits and the support he gives to builders.
[QUOTE=Jim68]

Q3: Can I plan out a project without a kit or blueprint? (What I mean is, has anyone ever strayed by making their own blueprint?)

[/QUOTE]
IMO, this would be a bad idea. Stick to a standard plan for your first guitar- you can 'customize' it with unique bindings or some inlays if you want.
[QUOTE=Jim68]

Q4: Any tips/warnings for first timers? Beginner's woods?

*I'm anxious to begin but don't want my first to be a complete disaster!

[/QUOTE]
I'd stick to 'less wildly figured' woods. Some nice straight-grained EI Rosewood or mahogany for B&S would be my choice.

It's not impossibly difficult to build a guitar- there are a lot of steps. Just get going and you will get a guitar you will be proud of at the end of the process. Keep at it, but don't set rigid deadlines for completion which will only increase your stress level. Be prepared to live with some small mistakes, and be prepared to repeat some steps if you have a major problem.
You'll get lots of good advice and support around the OLF.
Cheers
John

Additional questions, as Tax Season has worn me out.

Q: I see different side bending methods. Which is more effective? A side bender like the Fox Universal Bender or a Bending Iron?

Q: Is it possible to bend a 1/8" piece of wood? Something like a Padauk?

Q: (most importantly) Is Lutherie something that I can get into without a major expense? (I know tools aren't cheap).

***The reason I am asking these questions is. My wife gave me an anniversary "budget". I chose to spend it on a classical guitar. WAIT! Then, as I'm reviving my daughter's uke, I decided to MAKE my own guitar. Then, a sickness set in, and now I am here. At OLF. I'm quite impressed at the master luthiers here.

Thanks for your willingness to help out a beginner!

Welcome Jim:

There are a lot of us new guys here at OLF right now.  I bet we've had at least ten or so in the last month.  I really havn't been counting.

I think each one of us just starting out is a little (maybe a lot) afraid.  The aprehension of cutting into a good top or back, or bending sides, no matter what method, is frightening.  If you are like me, precision woodworking is not in my past.  Oh, I've made some stuff, but never anything like a guitar.  All of that said, however, here we all are, having drunk the punch, and starting the process.  This forum is great for developing confidence.  You see what others are doing, and you realize that there are so many ways to accomplish each task, that you are sure one will work for you.

Make sure you spend a lot of time checking out all of the features of this site, including all the links at the top.  You'll find lots of great stuff.  Then when you want to know about a specific thing, search the archives, also full of great information and tutorials for various processes.

You are going to love it here.  Lots of very helpful, and knowledgeable instrument builders.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I agree with all that was said above.
The only dumb question is one that is not asked!!!!!

Also, the search tool on this site is excellent. Just select all forums since a
lot of info is current and a lot is in the archives.

Lately their have been some excellent tutorials...thanks Hesh.

_________________
Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

[QUOTE=Jim68]

Q: Has anyone ever had a fear of beginning a first project?

[/QUOTE]

I'm a newbie too, currently building my first two at the same time...one for mistakes (none yet to speak of, whew!), another for hopefully LESS mistakes.  The only thing I was nervous about was side bending...which, thanks to many pointers from the group here, went off just fine the very first time.

[QUOTE=Jim68]

Q2: Where should I start? I've searched these topics and how to economize my tools. Should I just set my goals on a particular style of guitar and purchase the wood?

Q3: Can I plan out a project without a kit or blueprint? (What I mean is, has anyone ever strayed by making their own blueprint?)

Q4: Any tips/warnings for first timers? Beginner's woods?

[/QUOTE]

Commenting on all three at once here...personally, I glean everything I can from the web.  I've learned a lot from this forum most of all, but I'd suggest putting a BIG pot of coffee on and doing a Google for "luthier" or "custom acoustic guitar" and see how the experienced builders are doing it.  One site really got me inspired, and that's http://www.hoffmanguitars.com .  He graciously provides pics and descriptions of the entire process, and honestly that's what gave me the courage to take a crack at it.

TOOLS...I've been building my own jigs and such, which is also half the fun...such as radiused dishes (easily made with a router), various clamping jigs, tapering doohickies...the list goes on.  First and foremost, I spent $35 on eBay for an electric motor and another $50 in hardware to build a drum sander...which for me was a logical "first power tool" to have.  An oscillating spindle sander is helpful too (got mine from Harbor Freight for under $100)....then there's the bevy of assorted handtools - planes, rasps, files,

BLUEPRINTS...I chose to try my own design right off, no regrets as of yet.  I just cut and installed the kerfing strips today and am ready to assemble the first body...again, no cuss words or thrown guitar parts in my shop at this point!  It's all been very gratifying.

WOODS....I was able to find some inexpensive (and nice!) Engelman and Sitka tops on eBay...think I paid a total of $50 for two sets.  For sides, I went with Granadillo for one and Padauk for the other (both sets from Allied Luthery for around $90.00).  The wood is beautiful and the price helped my confidence...at least I knew I wasn't going to massacre something really exotic.  They're quite different in tone, feel, density, sanding properties...so it's been a good learning experience building two at the same time to compare.

Good luck!  Hope to see some of your work in the future!

Jon

jim,

If you are looking to keep your investment in tooling to a minimum, I would suggest that you look at Irving Sloan's books. I built my first in 1976 when they were about all I could find on the subject.

His approach is very low tech. My tool kit consisted of a carpenters saw,gents saw,couuping saw,one 1/2 in.chisel,hand plane,level and the specialty tools he teaches you how to make in the book. I also had access to a drill press that belonged to my land lord.

A very nice guitar can be constructed with no more than that.

Cecil

Last question,

Can I add all you guys to my buddy list? Thanks for your comments and I will certainly post my progress. I'm also a professional video editor and will compile a video journal of the process.

Cheers,

Jim S.

 

 

Q: Has anyone ever had a fear of beginning a first project?  -- Be afraid, be very afraid. Yes, I think we all have some apprehension the first, at least I know I do right now. But I went and visited a semi-local semi-retired luthier and his words were encouraging. Don't panic, guitars are made by people and your a person so why not you.

Q2: Where should I start? I've searched these topics and how to economize my tools. Should I just set my goals on a particular style of guitar and purchase the wood?  -- What do you prefer to play? I like the dreadnaught sound, so that is where I am begining. I'll venture into others later. I'd start with lower figured woods because I hear bending is an art.

Q3: Can I plan out a project without a kit or blueprint? (What I mean is, has anyone ever strayed by making their own blueprint?) -- Probably can, but it is nice to have a road map.

Q4: Any tips/warnings for first timers? Beginner's woods? -- Have patience, take deep breathes, use eye ear and breathing protection. Don't work when you are tired and consider any mistakes you make to be part of the plan. The guy I spoke with this weeked told me that his mistakes he considered tuition. Do some research before you order anything, it will save you money.

Q: (most importantly) Is Lutherie something that I can get into without a major expense? (I know tools aren't cheap). -- Tools aren't cheap and neither are guitars. You can always borrow tools from friends and make your own jigs. You will need clamps.

You can add me to your friends list, but I'm probably not much help yet.

Hey Jim!

As you ave probably already guessed, your question number three is really the big question. So I will address only that one.

Like others, I think kits are a good starting point if you are not going to take a luthierie class.

You did not say if you have any previous cabinet joinery skills. If not then I would really suggest you start with a kit, and one with good instructions. There are lots of good kits out there. Some have very good documentation and instructions and have many of the difficult tasks prefabricated like bent sides and tapered and slotted fretboard. Some kits assume that you have previous luthierie and carpentry skills and provide raw stock for necks, fretboard and bracing. If you do not have previous complex wood working skill I recommend you start with a kit that the neck is pre-carved, sides bent, back and top pre-thicknessed, and braces rough shaped. Mahogany is a good choice back and sides on a first project.

I highly recommend that you buy "Tradition and Technology" and use it a general reference. Read it through, read it as you work and read it after you finish.

Keep a daily journal. Record everything you do. every thing you have problems with and the solutions you found. record every thing daily. Do this on every project. Before you know it these journal will become one of your most important tools.

Don't hesitate to ask us more questions we are here to help each other.

Michael

Well, congrats on this new venture!
Most of your questions have been answered wisely!

Q4: Any tips/warnings for first timers? Beginner's woods?

When in doubt, stop what you are doing and ask the forum.
Measure twice and cut once.
Write everything down.... you want to know what you did wrong as well as what you did right.
Wear a dust mask.
Wear protective gear.
Don't be discouraged if you make a mistake.

_________________
Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com