Official Luthiers Forum!

I just wanted to give everyone an update on the Simple CenterLine Finder. We have updated it to work with tapered fretboards by making some minor changes. Unfortunately, we are not able to retrofit it to the original design. We will start shipping this week for the orders that were placed 2 weeks ago, but we do not have enough material to start taking on new orders. We should have some more available starting next week. Thanks for everyone on all the great suggestions, but I never had a chance to give my partner any suggestions on the fix, as he had already worked out the solution as soon as I told him there was a problem. Here are some pics of the new design:



Also, this new jig was tested at Michael Bashkin's shop(http://www.bashkinguitars.com)over the weekend. He had a neck that he was joining to the body, and this was an opportune time to have it tested thoroughly by an expert. We tested it using his manual method of finding the centerline, and using this jig. Both methods produced the same results. You can see pictures of the testing and the new jig HERE

Oh yea, forgot to mention that we are now including a Bridge Centering/Squaring attachment in the price. Also, we had to increase the price to $59 after the introductory sale of $44 due to the extra parts and time to assemble. So until 9/20, they will be on sale for $44 + $5 shipping, and after that, the price will go to $59. So sorry for the increase, but these take a lot more hand work to produce.

TracyLuthierSupplier38965.5615740741

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

Nice design now. That fixes the issue nicely.

I would still recommend some surgical tubing or other on those pins to keep from marring the finish...

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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."

Looks like you have a winner there Tracy.

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

Thanks Don! Actually, the plastic dowels are glass smooth, so it is almost impossible to mar the finish. I'm sure the guys who recieved the first jig can attest to this. My concern was that it should be able to stick to the side of the neck making it more stable, and that is why I want to add this tubing. I suggested this to my partner, and his reply was:
1. Surgical tubing is not the best material, as it breaks down very quickly, and cracks as it drys(it would only last about 6 months.) A silicon based tubing is much better as it does not break down. (My concern was the transferral of silicon to the wood and may cause finishing problems. He assured me that the silicon is baked in and non-transferrable)
2. Tried to find a good source of this material, and unable to find at this time.

So if we ever come up with a supplier of this material, we will add it to the jig. In the meantime, these dowels do the job great!
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

I suggested the tubing because it is softer than the plastic rods, and "just in case" the jig ever got nudged, the rods could dent the finish whereas the tubing probably would cushion it. Surgical tubing lasts a lot longer than that. I have some in use for over three years now. No signs of cracking etc.

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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,
I'm not sure we are talking about the same material. Maybe Andy can jump in let us know what he thinks since he works with this stuff a lot more than me. I'm just going by what my partner says. He wants to do it right, but we just need to find a good supplier. And Don, I know you are not trying to ride me, you do have the best intentions. But really, it is almost impossible to dent the finish with these rods. You would almost need super human strength to squeeze them together enough to dent the finish. Maybe some of the people that have received their jigs can attest to this. Anyone?
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

Looks Nice.
I cannot wait to receive it!!!!

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

I agree that you can't easily dent the finish or the wood under "normal operating circumstances", but accidents happen, and a good lateral bump on the side of the jig can cause the dowels to dent the finish. That's where I'm coming from.

No I'm not trying to ride you! I think it's a fantastic jig, and I will be buying one myself, but I also know that I tend to be like the proverbial bull in a china closet when it comes to my finish. My gut tells me I'd rather have those rods gripping the neck with something slightly rubbery than hard.

I'll just put some tubing on mine when I get it...!

Your guy is correct about the silicone tubing being safe...

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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
You can do what I do. I fit my neck long before I finish my guitar!!!!
Once it is set, I place the bridge in the exact spot, drill holes 1 and 6. and
mask off for finishing.

I guess for a new bridge or a reset it is more of an issue

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

Andy,
In your opinion, do you think it will be easy or hard to dent a finish with these plastic dowels?
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

Tracy,
Please send my two as soon as possible. I am making three new necks this week and hopefully another three next week. So I will be in need of the jig in about three weeks ( if possible )I never had a doubt you would resolve this...THANKS!

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Dave Bland

remember...

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

Dave,
Your order should go out with all of the rest no later than Thursday this week. It will be shipped USPS Priority from TN. So my guess, is 3 business days to you from Thurs. I do have you down for 2 of them, and I made a note to my shipper to make sure you get 2! Thanks again for your confidence in LuthierSuppliers!
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

Tracy
I haven't seen the dowels to comment. I would think it would also depend
on the finish.

Hard cat urethane....softer french polish

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

Andy,
I thought you received one of the first jigs? The dowels are exactly the same as the first jig. You didn't get the first one?
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

Tracy,

Glad you got the bugs worked out. Put me down for one. Send me your email and I'll paypal you.

Thanks,

Bob K

Thanks Bob! I'll start taking orders tonight from the website. You will have the option to pay, but with an understood wait of 2 weeks for shipping. The problem is that we ordered plastic, and used it all up on the original orders. We now have new plastic in, but now we just need time to make more. With the new design it takes 2 days to make 40 of them!

We will be shipping all orders from the first go around this Thursday. Thanks again for your interest, and please check the website tonight.
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

Nice design!

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Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR

Thanks to you Jon! I really appreciate your keen eye on the last design, and thanks to you we now have something that works.
All the best!
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

Tracy, I tried to order one on the wesite and the link wouldn't work. Should I just PM and PayPal you directly?

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

Joe,
I heard that mac users do experience problems, or using netscape. So if you are using either of these, it probably won't work. I'm still trying to figure that out. I just tried it on a pc, and it worked no problem. For now, I can send you an invoice through paypal and you can pay direct that way. Send me an email to tracy@luthiersuppliers.com and then I'll send you an invoice.
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

This is exactly the reason I like doing business with Tracy. If a problem shows up, he gets it fixed and takes care of his customers! Not to mention great products and great prices on them!

BTW, Tracy tell your partner the fix looks great too!

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Thanks for the nice comments Dave! I told my partner that everyone likes the fix, and he is really happy about that. We are glad we could fix this issue and keep our customers happy. Thanks for your business Dave!
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

Ah...could be because I use Firefox. I'll try the page using IE and see what happens. Thanks Tracy!

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

Yup, worked that way.

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

[QUOTE=LuthierSupplier] Thanks to you Jon! I really appreciate your keen eye on the last design, and thanks to you we now have something that works.
All the best!
Tracy[/QUOTE]
That's what makes the OLF unique. No wall between suppliers and their customers.

And, Tracy, that's a mighty useful looking jig! I'll have to wait until next month to order one, but it's on my short list.