Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello All: I've been lurking for a while now and decided it's time to jump in (fully clothed). I have to say, this is a top-notch forum with a high level of activity - I'm glad I ran into it.
I live in Folsom, CA (near, not in the prison) and just finished my first guitar - 000 StewMac kit. Very happy w/ the tone results - can't wait till it settles in. Not terribly happy w/ my finish results - tried to fit too much in prior to the rains beginning here (and let me tell you, we've had some RAIN). Never got the orange peel fully sanded level after a quart of lacquer. Oh Well, next time.
Found an interesting use to a gadget I bought at Home Depot. I used my newly purchased laser level to sight the center of my neck w/ relation to the body and conversly, the middle of the neck w/ relation to the bridge. It added a level of accuracy that gave me the confidence to actually glue the neck and bridge down. Pictures below:

Anyway - a great crowd w/ encyclopedic knowledge of all things luthiery. Stoked to be here!

Welcome - and that's a very impressive job. I'll be trying a kit build this year, too...and appreciate you posting your pics. Good inspiration. Like the laser level idea. When you have time, could you expand on that thought just a bit. Thanks.

Bill

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Welcome to the OLF. The lazer is a great idea.
Nice looking guitar, even if you don't like the finish. I know that feeling well....

Howdy Alan, glad to have you join us at the OLF. Thanks to you, I finally have a use for my lazer level. Looking forward to your participation.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Hi Alan, welcome and congratulations for your first try, tres elegante guitare!!!! Makes me think that i should have started building that way!

Keep up the good work!

Welcome aboard! There's always a lot of great suggestions flying around here, so you're sure to benefit in more ways than one. And, you can see how dedicated (addicted) to it we all are, as here we are on New Years, still logged in and posting!
Craig

Welcome aboard! Very nice looking guitar!
I'm sure if I tried that laser trick, I'd blast a hole in something.   

Steve

P.S. Cool avatar. Steve Kinnaird38717.9674074074

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Dang, Alan! I just bruised by forehead in a classic "D'oh" moment! Don't need no stinkin' straightedge--got me a beam o' light! Your job is done here, but welcome anyway!

Nice Job
Welcome to the club. I too started with the Stew Mac 000 kit.
The bug has bitten you
Andy

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

[QUOTE=Bill Greene] Welcome - and that's a very impressive job. I'll be trying a kit build this year, too...and appreciate you posting your pics. Good inspiration. Like the laser level idea. When you have time, could you expand on that thought just a bit. Thanks.

Bill
[/QUOTE]
I just used the laser in tandem w/ a straightedge to ensure I had the neck lined up w/ the center of the body - made some center reference marks on the body (along w/ the top joint) and used my previously centered inlays on the neck as reference. With all the center references lined up on the little red beam, I knew everything was straight. Same thing w/ the bridge - sighted down the inlays on the neck and a center mark on the bridge and I had it centered.

Happy New Years All!

[QUOTE=Steve Kinnaird] Welcome aboard! Very nice looking guitar!
I'm sure if I tried that laser trick, I'd blast a hole in something.   

Steve

P.S. Cool avatar. [/QUOTE]

No steve, that's when you upgrade to the photon torpedo.



Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

[QUOTE=Colin S]
No steve, that's when you upgrade to the photon torpedo.



Colin[/QUOTE]

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Alan--Neat idea on the laser beam! What make is your laser. Looks compact.
Nelson

Very nice guitar!

Welcome aboard and nice job on your 1st.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I sit at my desk at least a dozen times a day...each time looking at this laser level (was given as a gift more than a year ago)and wonder if I will ever use the thing again ( used it once to hang some framed stuff).
Then I see your post...bang!...like a ton of bricks...and here I was using all sorts of rulers and sliding devices and all I had to do was double stick this thing to the guitar body and I could have full access to the neck while setting the angle (left right center).

GREAT IDEA THANKS!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"