Posted on July 1, 2024July 9, 2024 by Dale Phillips Letter: John Calkin Article in AL#99 on Spanish Neck Style Letter: John Calkin Article in AL#99 on Spanish Neck Style by David Freeman Originally published in American Lutherie #102, 2010 Hello Tim — After reading John Calkin’s article in AL#99, I would like to add to the discussion of neck rake. It is true that building in the Spanish integral-neck style allows everything to be attached flat. The top is held flat, more to get the sides on at 90° than to get the neck rake proper. As soon as the body is off the form, the top rises in a curve, depending on the bracing style and relative humidity. These deviations will affect final neck set. The full-size side-view drawing John discusses is a valuable exercise to determine angles to aim for in neck rake. The variable of top arch is the most difficult to determine. In the Spanish style, I will allow 1/16"–1/8" for top arch. This varies with top graduation and brace straightness or taper on the glue edge. Both will add to top arch. I also keep my relative humidity between 40%–50% when assembling the body. I try to dry the top to 25%–30% humidity when I am bracing them. This allows the top to swell considerably and have a lot of shrink before it cracks in dry conditions. 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 June 6, 2024January 16, 2025 by Dale Phillips Questions: Flying With Guitars Questions: Flying With Guitars by David Freeman Originally published in American Lutherie #85, 2006 Woodley White of Portland, OR asks: What's the best way to travel with guitars? I try to carry my guitar on board, but when that's not possible, I wish I had packed it in a box and checked it. What are the best solutions? What does the pressure differential do to a guitar that is not in a pressurized environment? I loosen the strings, is this enough? David Freeman of Tugaske, Saskatchewan, Canada responds: I have flown with guitars for thirty years. In the beginning I could carry my guitar on, and they would store it in a closet. That didn’t last long. There is a copy of a letter on the Internet (www.local1000.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CATSA-Factsheet-for-Musicians_EN.pdf) that states that musicians can bring their instruments on board as carry-on luggage in addition to one bag and one other personal item. I have not tried to use that letter, so I’m not sure that it works. 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.
