Questions: Simple Instrument Plan

by Tim Olsen

Originally published in American Lutherie #76, 2003

Russell Lee from cyberspace asks:

I have no lutherie experience and would like to purchase a plan for a simple instrument. (I know others who have experience and tools who can help.) Which of the bowed instruments for which you sell plans is the easiest to make? Or is some other plan (other than a bowed instrument) much easier?

Tim Olsen, our fearless leader, responds:

There is only one GAL plan that I would think of as easy to make. Many are simple instruments, but the plans may not include full instructions, or the subtleties of those instruments may not be apparent. So I'd draw your attention to GAL Plan #44, “True Companion” Travel Guitar by John Calkin. Fairly detailed how-to text is included along with several photos of the building process. No side bending is required. An article and reduced plan appear in AL#57. The plan can be ordered directly from our website at www.luth.org and an image of it can be seen at https://luth.org/instrument-plans/guitar-plans/steel-string-guitar-plans/#Plan44. ◆