American Lutherie #93
Spring 2008

How would you like to see that view out your shop window everyday? Swiss wood dealer Andrea Florinett does just that.

Photo by Greg Hanson

American Lutherie #93 – Spring 2008

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Meet the Maker: Robert Ruck

by Jonathon Peterson

In many ways, Robert Ruck personifies the Golden Age of American Lutherie. Starting as an enthusiastic teenage guitarist in the ’60s, he has become one of the top makers of classical guitars in the world. In this issue he shares some fascinating stories and thought-provoking philosophy, as well as information on his unusual bracing patterns.

How would you like to see that view out your shop window everyday? Swiss wood dealer Andrea Florinett does just that.

Photo by Greg Hanson

American Lutherie #93 – Spring 2008

$3.00$4.00

SKU: N/A Category:

Additional information

Choose Membership Status

,

Our back Cover features a lutherie still-life with an early-20-century Italian violin, a wooden plane, a well-used splitting wedge, and generous portions of Swiss spruce and maple.

Photo by Greg Hanson

Harp Guitars: Past, Present, and Future

with Mike Doolin, Kerry Char, Gary Southwell, and Fred Carlson

Who would have thought that the harp guitar would rise again to become the cutting edge of guitar design? Four fine makers discuss their new design directions and developments.

A Mid-19th-Century Martin Guitar

by Jeff Liverman

When Jeff Liverman saw photos of a rare old Martin guitar in American Lutherie #91, he reached into his files and pulled out a full-scale drawing he had made of a very similar instrument ten years ago. We are pleased to offer it as GAL Instrument Plan #57.

This article appears in our anthology book Flattop Guitars.

GAL Instrument Plan #57: Mid-19th Century Martin Guitar

by Jeff Liverman

Reduced plan image appears in article. For more information on the full-scale instrument plan, see GAL Instrument Plan #57.

This article appears in our anthology book Flattop Guitars.

Meet the Maker: Andrea Florinett

by Greg Hanson

Who gets to live in the Swiss alps and spend all day working with spruce trees and big old honkin’ loaders and stuff? Certified Swiss forester Andrea Florinett, that’s who!

Geometric Design of the Stradivari Model G Violin Pt. 1

by Robert J. Spear

Many scholars have tried to crack the code of what Antonio Stradivari was thinking when he designed his body outlines, soundholes, and scrolls. Violin maker Bob Spear things he’s cracked the code. His explanation is based on the use of dividers set to the Golden Proportion.

Fabio’s Excellent Nicaraguan Adventure

by Mike Moger

Mike Moger and Fabio Ragghianti recently taught a class in fine classical guitar making in Nicaragua. Conditions were primitive in this area still struggling to recover from the Sandinista-Contra war. The idea is to help talented local makers create a cottage industry of making quality guitars.

Product Reviews

by James Condino

Mandolin maker James Condino reviews the available mandolin tuning machine brands.

Quick Cuts: An Experimental Carbon-Reinforced Guitar

by Peter Vile

Dutch guitar maker Peter Vile made an experimental guitar featuring a carbon-topped lattice bracing and a wingless bridge. He says it came out great.

Letters from our readers

Rob Edelstein made an experimental violin with a balsa top and a bass bar made from an old carbon-fiber bow. And the sound post is a sort of wooden leaf spring.

It Worked for Me

by Mike Doolin and Mike Foulger

Mike Doolin shows his setup for making kerfed linings. Mike Foulger uses Friendly Plastic to make a specialized clamping caul.