To see more pictures of Ken’s experience, check out the Student Photo Gallery To learn more about the 8 day Acoustic Guitar Workshop in Bernville, check out the Hands on Guitar Building School Want more of this? Subscribe below for Weekly Guitar Making Tips on “The Small Shop Luthier Blog” Want to really learn […]
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My 15 Best Practices for Productivity as an Independent Craftsman
Minimizing distractions and being productive is something everyone struggles with. Just because I’ve written this article, that doesn’t mean that I’ve mastered productivity. Far from it. It is a daily struggle. Anyone who is honest will likely tell you the same thing. My goal here isn’t to list off generic productivity tips for all entrepreneurs. […]
Hand Carving the Neck
It has been a little while since I posted a new video so for ep #39 here is a video on my process for hand carving necks with rasps and files. This is a free excerpt from The Online Guitar Building School, so check that out if you haven’t already, and sign up if you want to […]
Installing Binding and Purfling
This episode is another free video excerpt from The Online Course. I demonstrate the way that I like to install binding and purfling with binding tape and superglue (CA glue). Was this useful? I would love to hear your questions or comments! I try to answer every e-mail I receive, so please be patient with me eric@ericschaeferguitars.com […]
Making the Most out of the Robert O’Brien Mortise and Tenon Jig
Episode #37 is an excerpt from The Online Guitar Building School. This video is about a jig that I absolutely love! The Robert O’brien Mortise and Tenon Jig (AKA Neck Angle Jig). There are alot of things about using this jig, however, that trip a lot of people up. So with this episode, I’m going to […]
Roughing out the Bridge
Another free excerpt from The Online Guitar Building School. In this lesson, I make a rough bridge from a rosewood bridge blank. This includes routing the shape, tapering or contouring the wings, and drilling the bridge pin holes. Was this useful? I would love to hear your questions or comments! I try to answer every […]
Inlaying Fretboard Markers and Side Dots
Another free excerpt from The Online Guitar Building School. In this lesson, mother of pearl dots are inlaid into the fretboard face and plastic rod stock is used to make side dots. Was this useful? I would love to hear your questions or comments! I try to answer every e-mail I receive, so please be […]
All Rosewood on CITES: What this means for Luthiers and Traveling Musicians
In September of 2016, the CITES delegates agreed to place ALL Rosewood under Appendix II protection, effective January 2nd, 2017. Many musicians and builders alike are familiar with the fact that Brazilian Rosewood, or Nigra Dalbergia, is a protected species, and that there are many restrictions surrounding the sale, and transportation of this […]
Radiusing and Kerfing the Sides
Another free excerpt from The Online Guitar Building School. In this lesson, I rough out the back and top radius onto the sides, add kerfing and then final sand the radii. Was this useful? I would love to hear your questions or comments! I try to answer every e-mail I receive, so please be patient […]
Fretting a Fretboard on a Fake!
It all started simply enough with a referral from a local guitar shop for a fret job. This wasn’t even a refret, which can be more nuanced and touchy given the potential for damage to the fret slots during fret removal. This was a brand new slotted fretboard that the customer ordered online and replaced the existing fretboard […]