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New to Guitar building
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Author:  DAYDREAMS [ Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:13 am ]
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First i would like to say hello to everyone here and what a great forum you guys have .I'm new to guitar building and looking for some good pointers on what kit you guys would recommend for a newbie. This will be my first attempt at guitar building .  I have been playing musical instuments for about 18 years ,(percussion) but just within the last year have been sucked in by the stringed instuments . And after spending MANY HOURS playing my beloved LARRIVEE D-03 .and collecting several others (strats,teles,other acoustics))I think its time to try a kit build to call my own.  So if any one has any pointers on kits ,tools ,woods , books ,anything  I'm all  EARS.   THANKS   PHIL
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:21 am ]
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I'm a new builder too.  Go check out the archives of this Forum, and do searches on stuff you are interested in .  It will put you in awe of all of these guys and how generous they are with their building experiences.  I spent my whole day on the threads that mentioned Romanillos, as I'm interested in his philosophy and style of building, and the stuff that is there is amazing.  It appears that well thought out, specific questions get better response than general type questions that are hard to answer in a quick post.  I would suggest cruising the archive forum, looking at the subjects, and opening the ones that would seem to lead where you want to go.  Every single one I have looked at gave me something that I didn't know, or a new way to look at something I thought I did know.


Right now I'm too confused to do anything but clean up my shop.
Author:  Bill Greene [ Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:37 am ]
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Phil:

Welcome. Although I'm a relatively new builder myself, I've hung around here long enough to have an opinion, and experience, with some of your questions..so I'll give it a shot. Others will be along soon to welcome you, and point out my silly answers :

Kits: There are lots available: StewMac, LMI, Martin, to name a few. Personally, John at Blues Creek Guitars, one of our fine sponsors, not only sells kits, he can custom make it to your specs and then gives "how to" advice as it's needed. John's a great resource, and is a regular contributor here. There are also "kit specific" guitar forums on the web, but I've never seen anything at one of those that wasn't presented here 10x over.

Tools: I believe I remember Hesh (one of our most respected members) saying that StewMac had a basic list of tools available on their website...but there are lots of threads in the archives that will, essentially, say that you can build with ultra basic tools, or the most advanced, space-aged CNC based set up possible. And we have members who do both successfully. You're limited only by your imagination, er, and wallet.

Woods: The amount of information on woods, from this forum alone, would fill volumes and volumes of books. There are a number of sites that talk about woods with regards to workability, stability, tonal characteristics, price, availability, etc. and we have many, many find wood vendors here that would probably answer any question you might ask. For now however, most of your basic kits will be either mahoghany, or east indian rosewood. Both are great woods...but, there are tons of others you can build with.

Books: To be totally honest, I'm a bit at a loss where books are concerned. I don't own a single book of guitar building literature...but, like you, I'm a student of research and an avid reader. I did lots and lots of reading (like Waddy mentioned), figured out what questions I needed to ask, then began posting. Also, I found a builder that was relatively local to me, and paid him to help me "build" my first kit. It was the right choice for me, and surprisingly not too expensive. Also, be aware that there are a number of find videos/dvds/etc. that take most of the mystery out of the "how to" portion of building. I can personally recommend the John Mayes dvds, but there is NOTHING but positive references for Robbie O'Brien's materials as well. Both post here.

Lastly, I will echo what Waddy said again. The forum archives are a literal gold mine of information. You have several weeks worth of reading there if you approach the learning curve methodically, and try to absorb it.

Again, welcome, thanks for being here...and let the games begin.

Bill
Author:  Bill Greene [ Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:38 am ]
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Hahahahaha...see what I mean...Hesh beat me to the punch (and just wait 'till you see his guitars!).

Bill
Author:  Cocephus [ Thu Mar 29, 2007 10:51 am ]
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Welcome aboard, Phil.


In addition to what the others have said, learn just what "scary sharp" means. Once you have that figured out, you`ll be carving braces with the best of `em.


As always practice shop safety. Blood, sweat and tears doesn`t have to be taken quite so literally, if you know what I mean.
Author:  LuthierSupplier [ Thu Mar 29, 2007 10:52 am ]
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Welcome Phil and Waddy. This is a great place to hang out and discuss guitar building. You will not be disappointed in the quality of responses around here. I've learned so much over the last 3 years from just reading. I do sell some usefull jigs for guitar building too, but I enjoy building more than selling! Best of luck!
Tracy
Author:  Jim Kirby [ Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:43 am ]
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Heh Phil - Welcome.

I'm nearly a newb too. Just finished my first classical in February, and a couple of steel strings last year, and a few Tele's before that. I've got a bunch of stuff in progress, though.

Sounds like you are interested in steel strings mainly. The book by Cumpiano and Natelson has always been a highly recommended favorite, and has a wealth of information, but they don't do the standard body form that you usually will see around here, and as shown, for example, in the DVD's by John Mayes or Frank Finocchio. I haven't seen the more recent book by Kinkead, and so I can't say anything about it. The book that I have read and that I feel conveyed quite a lot about building, although it's subject is a little bit different, is the archtop book by Bob Benedetto - I have always really liked this, and his DVD's.

The DVD's by Robbie O'Brien are also really, really good, and for this reason I would lean towards recommending the LMI kits for a beginner, as they are included in the price. The LMI kit is also infinitely customizable (as are John Hall's).

Spend time in the archives - you will get a lot of info on what tools people like, what woods are easier to deal with early on, what peoples' experience is with various finishes, etc.

I'd also recommend mimf.com as another forum, but things are a little different there. The info is often more condensed and easier to find in the end, but there is less freedom in terms of absolute sharing of experience with vendors, etc, and a different sort of collegiality (gruffer over there, often). (There is a non-commercial standard on posts there that can get to be a straightjacket at times.) The close relationship with vendors developed on the forum here is a godsend, because they are all great and are looking out for you.

p.s. I have a Larrivee L-09 and one of the older, plainer Parlors (walnut B&S), and I love them both.

Waddy - after I finish off Rodriguez copies number 2 and 3 on the bench, I'm going to try out the Romanillos design. I've really fallen for his guitars based on a few CD's I've listened to obsessively, and I want to go there in a big way. (Jose says that his guitars are not easy to play, though).
Author:  DAYDREAMS [ Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:50 am ]
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Thanks guys, I have been lurking here for a couple of hours a day for about a week and i am simply amazed at the amount of knowledge, craftmanship, curtisy,and how all these fine LUTHIERS are so willing to help fellow LUTHEIERS (i mean begginers, or me)with all there knowledge,tips, and tricks of the trade. I have basic craftmanship skills, BUT i'm far from a MASTER by any means . So back to the archives for some more info to feed my hunger . Again thanks guys for your support and im sure i will have more specific questions in the next couple of  months as the build begins untill then thanks and keep it up GREAT WEBSITE  !!!!
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:55 am ]
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I didn't say Welcome.  Guess I didnt think I'd been here long enough.  But, Welcome!  You are going to love learning about this process.
Author:  Sam Price [ Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:45 pm ]
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A warm welcome Phil!!

This is a great, great forum. I stand in awe of some of the master luthiers here.

This forum is unique in the sense that the archived material is excellent; I have spend many hours in the Archives, reading discussions from "Pinless vs Pinned bridges" to "bracing patterns"; each discussion is thoroughly expounded and you feel really informed from what you read.

I have learnt so much from this site AND consider the people here as some of the nicest on this yer interweb thingie.   

Author:  robertD [ Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:54 pm ]
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Welcome Phil,

I’ve been here at the OLF for about 4 months now, still working on my first. Like you I lurked around
for weeks at several forums. I settled in on the OLF, because of guys like Hesh, Bill, Sam, and John, in this thread,
and so many others here that I’ve not mentioned, who have come to my aid through my own threads.
You will find, that everyone here has something positive to add to a question.
I have found that, even when I’ve mentioned something that was questionable, I got responses of
encouragement to follow a better guitar building path.

To sum it up; you will get, Clear, Concise, and Courteous Advise, here at the OLF.

As for Kits, you will probably need to do a lot of research as mentioned above. There are so many
different ways kits can be put together. Like Hesh, I chose the Stew-Mac kit, and it’s a fine kit!
However, I did change a few things as I went along in the building process. Recently, I’ve
learned that LMI has a “KIT WIZARD” which looks very inviting to me, for my second project.
But, before I do that, I’m going to call John Hall, of Blue Creek Guitars, for all the aforementioned
reasons above. So, if your listening John, you’ll be hearing from me soon.

Also, sometimes you’ll get a little humor along with the advise,
and that just makes this whole guitar building thing a lot more fun!

BTW, Welcome Waddy to you too!

Robert
Author:  Dave Anderson [ Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:19 am ]
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Welcome to the OLF Phil,and Waddy.You guys will really enjoy this place.You will find tons of great info in the archives!And just ask questions and you will be helped!
Glad to have you both here and good luck with your guitars.
Author:  af_one [ Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:05 am ]
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Welcome--this place feeds my addictions!
Author:  Lillian F-W [ Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:37 am ]
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Welcome Phil and Waddy. We are here to support you in your new addiction, ah, hobby, yeah that's the word I meant to use. Don't be shy with questions, unless you like stumbling through things all on your own. There isn't a question that hasn't been asked. Check through the archives first, (bookmark threads that you think are important) then if you think there is something more to your question that wasn't answered, ask. This is an international group, there is always someone awake and online.

I would suggest that you start a journal for each guitar. Write everything down that you can think of as you go. It will be what you use to compare your guitars after they are built. It is also a great place to write what didn't work for you and why.


Oh, just so that you know, Sam is just one of the guys around here, but her husband might view her a bit differently. There doesn't appear to be a lot of ladies here, but we are around.

Good luck and don't forget to take pictures.
Author:  DAYDREAMS [ Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:54 am ]
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And also a big THANKS to the LADIES , And man my journal has begun with all this great info . But i must say im with WaddyT on this one my head is spinning with all the info on here I think i better go out and clean the shop for a while and let some of this sink in  Again THANKS to all (guys and ladies )For such a warm welcome to this AWESOME family                           PHIL
Author:  jonhfry [ Fri Mar 30, 2007 10:09 am ]
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Just a suggestion.


I am new too, but decided to skip a kit. I am just about tooled up as I have went along and collected over the last 6 months or soas I needed to. The advantage IMHO, is after this first one, subsequent builds will be achievable in much less time due to the fact that I will have all necassary tools and jigs ready to go by the time I complete the first. Just what has worked for me.

I do not think anyone has mentioned it, but I have mostly used the book by CUMPIANO and NATELSON:  Guitar making: Tradition and technology


I bought that book, about 8 or 9 months ago and it looks like it is 20 years old now. I would suggesting reading a good book on the process. This book is good because it uses basic concepts and tools, nothing fancy. This book helped me decide that I could do this without any kit.

Author:  WaddyThomson [ Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:16 pm ]
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Yeah, I, for some yearning reason, decided that I too would prefer the total immersion experience.  I have wanted to build a guitar for 25 years, but life intervened in the way that it does when you have elderly parents, kids, and all that stuff.  I bought Sloan's books back then, as well as Overholtzer's (interesting!) and was hooked.  I now have the Cumpaino-Natelson book, the Courtnall book"Making Master Guitars", and have ordered the Romanillos book and the Bogdanovich books. If I never make a wood chip, I'll have a good library.  I also have Dave Schramm's CD(pretty interesting). I also have about a dozen bandsaw cut 12 fret necks that I bought when some place was going out of business back in the 80's, and some Japanese made rosettes.  I have bought wood enough for 3 guitars, and have started working on the neck and splitting out braces.  Found out that all brace wood is not created equal.  Wasted one whole piece trying to split out useable braces.  Got nothing but twisted kindling!  Tried some from another supplier, and it was great.  Got about 10 12' fan braces out of a split only about 3/4" x 1" x 24" everything straight.  Amazing.  I love the minutiea of the process. Most of all I love hanging around this site and learning stuff from these generous people.
Author:  DAYDREAMS [ Sat Mar 31, 2007 2:21 am ]
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While i totally agree and understand what  johnfry is saying and totally respect his comments. I think i will be building a kit for my first build just for the fact that there is so much to learn in guitar building ! I want to learn the basics with out being totally over whelmed by my first build . Hang out here for a while and learn as much as possible, while also getting my feet wet with my first build. I will be ordering my kit on monday .       And oh ya HESH  WOW you are building some AWSOME looking guitars !  I really love that L-OO with the Tasmanian Tiger Myrtle back, and lutz top  WOW WHAT A BEAUTY  !!!!         &n bsp;         &n bsp;         Ph il
Author:  j.Brown [ Sun Apr 01, 2007 2:40 am ]
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You're in the right place.
Author:  Kahle [ Sun Apr 01, 2007 4:01 pm ]
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Phil,
If at all possible find a luthier who gives courses. I was fortunate enough to find Sylvan Wells who happened to be just on the other side of the mountain from me. After reading books and investigating sources on the net and tearing apart junkers for 6 months I actually began making plans to attend a course in the midwest when I found Sylvan's site and realized that he was close by. I feel that my education in lutherie took a quantum leap and I honestly knocked years off of the learning curve of guitarmaking by hooking up with someone who has been building guitars for over 20 years. It is not always cheap and you'll have to take some time off from work but the dividends that private instruction from a master luthier is truly worth it. Not sure of your location but there are qualified luthiers that engage in this practice all over the country. BTW if you were to consider going to Sylvan you can pm me for detail about the course.
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