Posted on December 2, 2024June 23, 2025 by Dale Phillips Build a Classical Guitar in a Week: Days One and Two Build a Classical Guitar in a Week: Days One and Two by Robbie O’Brien from his 2017 GAL Convention lecture Originally published in American Lutherie #153, 2024 Somebody once said that spreading information is like surfing: The higher the tide (that is, the more information available), the more we all can surf together. The GAL […] This post is only available to members.
Posted on November 30, 2024May 30, 2025 by Dale Phillips 1902 Martin 1902 Martin by Anonymous Originally published as Guild of American Luthiers Data Sheet #21, 1975 This pair of informative pictures was contributed to the Guild by repairman of long experience and excellent reputation. He wishes to remain anonymous, however, to avoid being hounded by collectors. Just below and to the right of the soundhole (back view) the date, initials of the luthier, and serial number have been written in pencil. Of these, only the serial number is decipherable: #9434. Noting the lack of a 17th fret marker, the instrument appears to be a 1902 0-41 or 42. The bridge and saddle are both ivory and, typically of the period, provide no string length compensation. This particular bridge has suffered the disgrace of having been bolted to the top with flathead bolts as part of an astonishingly shoddy repair. (Note the additional “reinforcement” plate, back view). The diamond between the second belly brace is original equipment, however. This feature is still to be found on modern 0 16 NY models. This guitar has been completely restored, and we hope that it’s next 72 years are less prone to abuse. ◆
Posted on November 30, 2024May 29, 2025 by Dale Phillips It Worked for Me: Bow Making Planes It Worked for Me: Bow Making Plane by Ken Altman Originally published in American Lutherie #59, 1999 I attended a bow-making workshop at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio with an exceptional bow maker named Stephan Thomachot. These are French bow-making planes very much like the ones he used. They are a good size and shape for bow work, they have good heft for their size, and they have good thick blades to keep them from chattering. They are easy to make, and the same method could be used to make planes of different sizes and shapes for other purposes. The bodies of the planes are made by soldering easily-shaped pieces of brass bar stock together, rather than by machining them from solid metal, as they are more typically made. I get the brass from Alaskan Copper & Brass here in Portland, Oregon (503-238-6840). They are an industrial supplier, but they have a small selection of remnants where I’m generally able to find what I’m looking for. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on November 30, 2024May 30, 2025 by Dale Phillips Questions: Bird’s Eye Maple Questions: Bird's Eye Maple by Bruce Harvie Originally published in American Lutherie #60, 1999 Sheldon Urlik of Los Angeles, CA asks: In AL#58 Gary Southwell mentions that bird’s-eye maple always comes from America, even though one often sees it on very old European-made instruments. Torres used it in several extant guitars, including two in my collection (First Epoch, #24, 1867 and Second Epoch, #129, 1889). Could it be that there are other maples, perhaps ones grown in Europe, which exhibit the bird’s-eye figure when slab cut? Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on November 30, 2024May 30, 2025 by Dale Phillips Dots; Micarta; Trigger Cloth Dots; Micarta; Trigger Cloth by Michael Breid Originally published as Guild of American Luthiers Data Sheet #177, 1981 Having trouble getting white side position dots for dark fingerboards, and vise-versa? Using white or dark celluloid pieces, press out or punch out as many as you need, with a rotating leather punch. They cost about seven bucks, but they will pay for themselves in no time. If you are looking for ivory micarta for nuts and saddles etc. check the local knife makers shop. They usually carry it in big chunks, or smaller slabs, and it is not all that expensive. Besides you many have saved an elephant! In looking for a suitable material for reinforcing inside cracks, I found a product called “trigger” in a cloth store. It is a fabric closely woven, takes glue easily, and shrinks a little when dry, so as to really provide a tight repair. ◆
