Today’s topics include: carbon fiber inserts and truss rods, intonation and compensation, hiding fractures and splits in the plates, building your own thickness sander and more… 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 […]
Category: Guitar Making
How a Truss Rod Actually Works
See what a truss rod actually does when you turn it clockwise and counter clockwise! I talk about single action and double action truss rods and I show how the truss rod functions inside your guitar’s neck, whether the adjustment is through the soundhole or at the headstock. Want more of this? Subscribe below for […]
14 Mistakes to avoid when building your first acoustic guitar
I talk about some of the mistakes that beginner luthiers make on their first acoustic guitar. #1 using woods of opportunity or reclaimed wood #2 using expensive wood #3 using highly figured wood #4 biting off more than you can chew #5 buying tools in bulk #6 skipping the dry run #7 using dull edge […]
Creating a Unique Bridge Design: Part 2
I walk you through the process of designing a unique bridge shape for my new model of guitars. In this second part, I mark out the saddle location, locate the bridge in the guitar, widen the saddle slot and set the bridge pin holes so that they are evenly spaced and parallel to the saddle […]
Creating a Unique Bridge Design: Part 1
I walk you through the process of designing a unique bridge shape for my new model of guitars. In this first part, I draw out the bridge shape with french curves, trace out copies of the design on a light box and lay out the other dimensions of my plans in preparation for marking out […]
How Guitar Sides Affect Tone
What is the role of the guitar’s sides in the acoustic system that is the soundbox? 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 8 days! Or Join The Online […]
Why I like Evo Gold Fretwire
What’s the difference between EVO Gold, Nickel Silver, and stainless steel frets? I talk about the aesthetic appeal, the hardness, the longevity, and the tone of Evo Gold fretwire versus the others. Want more of this? Subscribe below for Weekly Guitar Making Tips from DIY Guitarmaking Want to really learn more!? Take a class […]
Template Duplicating Solutions Part 4 – Curves and Corners
This series looks a improving your results when duplicating patterns in the shop. This is especially important for luthiers as we use templates for headstock, bridge, guitar body, and fretboard tongue shapes. Want more of this? Subscribe below for Weekly Guitar Making Tips from DIY Guitarmaking Want to really learn more!? Take a class […]
Template Duplicating Solutions Part 3 – Trimming Overhang
This series looks a improving your results when duplicating patterns in the shop. This is especially important for luthiers as we use templates for headstock, bridge, guitar body, and fretboard tongue shapes. Want more of this? Subscribe below for Weekly Guitar Making Tips from DIY Guitarmaking Want to really learn more!? Take a class […]
Template Duplicating Solutions Part 2 – Router Bit Options
This series looks a improving your results when duplicating patterns in the shop. This is especially important for luthiers as we use templates for headstock, bridge, guitar body, and fretboard tongue shapes. Want more of this? Subscribe below for Weekly Guitar Making Tips from DIY Guitarmaking Want to really learn more!? Take a class […]