Official Luthiers Forum!

i would agree with the suggestion about different colours.

the triangular and the reverse clanmps should be of a different colour and the should be some way of distinguishing the small from the large.

guess i'll have to get my airbrush out....

John--Sounds to me like you need to develop an automatic band installation device on your CNC. Feed, cut, stretch, install.....

Thanks for your reply, John. I understand your thinking and it sounds like a very good option. I'll consider getting some. I'm somwhat hesitant, though. I'm not sure I'd want to mess with an extra strip of material (which would have to be thicknessed fairly precisely) while gluing on linings. I don't mean to suggest that it would be that big a deal, but nonetheless an extra thing to handle along with the glue, the linings, and the guitar itself. And if the strip isn't as wide as the face of the clamps, it seems to me that the advantage of the flat face would be lost. On the other hand, I question whether there's really any appreciable advantage in that; with a gluing area so small, it seems to me that the contact made by a curved face against the linings would apply plenty of clamping pressure.

If you ever find yourself agreeing with me and deciding to make some with a curved face -- I'd suggest the outer face (that goes against the guitar side) be flat and the inner one be curved -- I'd be very interested.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

[QUOTE=Todd Rose] Thanks for your reply, John. I understand your thinking and it sounds like a very good option. I'll consider getting some. I'm somwhat hesitant, though. I'm not sure I'd want to mess with an extra strip of material (which would have to be thicknessed fairly precisely) while gluing on linings. I don't mean to suggest that it would be that big a deal, but nonetheless an extra thing to handle along with the glue, the linings, and the guitar itself. And if the strip isn't as wide as the face of the clamps, it seems to me that the advantage of the flat face would be lost. On the other hand, I question whether there's really any appreciable advantage in that; with a gluing area so small, it seems to me that the contact made by a curved face against the linings would apply plenty of clamping pressure.

If you ever find yourself agreeing with me and deciding to make some with a curved face -- I'd suggest the outer face (that goes against the guitar side) be flat and the inner one be curved -- I'd be very interested.[/QUOTE]

Not to seem critical (because that isn't my intent), but..... How are you doing it now? Other than this style of clamp, I have not really run across a "precise" method of glueing these in place. It seems to me that these clamps while not absolutely fool proof are a dramatic improvement over the way most of us are doing it now.

or am I missing something?

Brock Poling38933.6499768519

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

[QUOTE=Brock Poling] Other than this style of clamp, I have not really run across a "precise" method of glueing these in place. It seems to me that these clamps while not absolutely fool proof are a dramatic improvement over the way most of us are doing it now.

or am I missing something?
[/QUOTE]

Yes...you've missed only one better solution...

A vacuum bag.

You just tape them in place, and vacuum them to the sides with atmospheric pressure. You can't do better than that, so long as the vacuum is strong.

Hmmmm....I may have to try it myself!

Yes folks, I AM a genius.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Hey Don,

Once you figure out how to get that bag around the sides that are glued to the end blocks lets us now. It's kinda like putting a sock on a donut and leaving the hole visible without taking a bite out of the donut first!

I need a break....
Shane

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Canada

Hmmmmmmmmmm, Donuts, hhuuuuggggggrrr...

Shane, I've thought about that part...and it might be possible with a large enough bag. Sure, it's not easy, but don't forget, the bag is going to want to drawn in on itself in a manner of speaking, and that's what will aid in that process. I doubt you could do both sides at once, but no reason you couldn't do one, or at least half. I'll have to experiment, since I have everything I need to do so.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Don, my friend.... you're nuts.   

If you decide to try that, don't use a side set that you care about.

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

Wait! Lining first, then bend!

John, I was going to PM you this question, but then I thought there may be others who'd also like to know -- what would be your return policy if someone ordered these, gave them a try, and found that they didn't work so well for them?

BTW, I hope no one is interpreting my questions and thoughts about these clamps as in any way doubting the quality of John's products or the likelihood that many people will really like these clamps. One of the interesting things about a craft like lutherie is that certain methods, materials, and tools that work really well for some people just don't work so well for others. John's work is excellent and I greatly appreciate his ideas and offerings -- I just happen to be a bit unconvinced about how well this particular tool will work for me. On the other hand, I might like them a lot if I try them, or I might decide it would be worth my time to modify them if I think I can improve them for my own purposes.

Thanks, John.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Seems like a very fair question, Todd. A tool suppliers return policy is important stuff to know. If one tool worked for everyone there'd be only one tool for each task

I'm not in the market for this clamp type, but if so would be a customer.Larry Davis38935.6369791667

As always, I fully assume any expense related to any product failure or dis-satisfaction, and that's including shipping costs. If these clamps, or a fret caul, or a neck, or an inlay, or a guitar does not do what you need it to or thought it would, I will make the deal un-happen for you quickly and courteously en totale with a smile.

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

[QUOTE=John Watkins] As always, I fully assume any expense related to any product failure or dis-satisfaction, and that's including shipping costs. If these clamps, or a fret caul, or a neck, or an inlay, or a guitar does not do what you need it to or thought it would, I will make the deal un-happen for you quickly and courteously en totale with a smile.

[/QUOTE]

I guess this is the level of service and support that one can only afford their customers when one has 100% confidence in the products that they offer.

From what I have seen of your wares John, that level of confidence is 100% justified.

Cheers

Kim

Great, John. I figured you would have that kind of policy. I wouldn't mind paying return shipping in a situation like this, and would generally expect to, so this shows you're really willing to go the extra mile.     

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Kim, i agree 100% on whut ya just said Pal!