In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I talk about and demonstrate techniques for bending woods with a heavy figure or difficult woods with an inconsistent or unpredictable grain orientation. I use the 5 troubleshooting factors: Thickness, Moisture, Heat, Pressure and Grain Orientation to show how I look at the task of bending guitar sides. […]
Author: Eric Schaefer
The Backstrip: It’s Function and Material Considerations
In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I talk about the role of the backstrip in reinforcing the centerseam of the back plate on an acoustic guitar. Want more of this? Subscribe below for Weekly Guitar Making Tips from DIY Guitarmaking Want to really learn more!? Take a class with Eric Schaefer and build […]
Keeping a Luthier’s Notebook
In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, A quick-tip on maintaining a notebook to improve your build process, and keep your guitar building shop rolling efficiently! Want more of this? Subscribe below for Weekly Guitar Making Tips from DIY Guitarmaking Want to really learn more!? Take a class with Eric Schaefer and build your […]
How Thin should Guitar Sides be?
In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I discuss the range of appropriate thickness for bending guitar sides. I also talk about the thickness of figured woods and bending a cutaway. Want more of this? Subscribe below for Weekly Guitar Making Tips from DIY Guitarmaking Want to really learn more!? Take a class with […]
Stationary Equipment for Guitar Building
In this episode of DIY Guitar Making: One man’s opinion on the necessary stationary power equipment for lutherie. I discuss “the big 3:” Bandsaws, planers/drum sanders, and router table setups. I also discuss ‘less necessary but still great to have’ tools like the spindle sander. Pat Hawley thickness sander plans: https://woodgears.ca/sander/plans/index.html Want more of this? […]
The Somogyi Style Guitar Heel
For the prototype of my new Orchestra Model Cutaway, I incorporated a Somogyi style heel for the neck. In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I talk about the player’s feel of the Somogyi heel, the aesthetics, and the practical considerations when implementing this type of design feature. Want more of this? Subscribe below for […]
Your First Acoustic Guitar Build – How long will it take to finish?
In this episode of DIY Guitar Making: Some practical thoughts on estimating how many hours, days, months or years it will take you to build an acoustic guitar for the first time. Want more of this? Subscribe below for Weekly Guitar Making Tips from DIY Guitarmaking Want to really learn more!? Take a class with […]
More on the Electric Guitar Tonewood Debate
Just to beat a dead horse, I talk a little more about the tonewood hoax surrounding electric guitars; particularly about how magnetic pickups work. Click this link to view the original video: Why tonewoods do not impact tone on electric guitars Want more of this? Subscribe below for Weekly Guitar Making Tips from DIY Guitarmaking […]
Workshop Tour 2019
It’s just that! I give a tour of the shop where I build flattop acoustic guitars and where the Hands-On Guitar Building School workshops are held. Here are the links mentioned in the video: Install a “Workbench Light-box” Three Hacks to Improve the Flow in a Luthier’s Workshop Want more of this? Subscribe […]
Creating a Custom Bridge Clamp
In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I talk about making a custom fox-style bridge clamp to pin and glue an unconventional bridge design. Want more of this? Subscribe below for Weekly Guitar Making Tips from DIY Guitarmaking Want to really learn more!? Take a class with Eric Schaefer and build your own guitar in […]