Category: Videos

Side Bending Machine Basics Part 3

In this series, I talk about bending guitar sides with a side bending machine as opposed to bending by hand around a hot pipe. I talk about the pros, the cons, and the practical tips on bending wood. And I

Posted in All, Guitar Making, Jigs, Uncategorized, Videos

Side Bending Machine Basics Part 2 – Essential Items

In this series, I talk about bending guitar sides with a side bending machine as opposed to bending by hand around a hot pipe. I talk about the pros, the cons, and the practical tips on bending wood. And I

Posted in All, Guitar Making, Jigs, Uncategorized, Videos

Side Bending Machine Basics Part 1 – Building Forms

In this series, I talk about bending guitar sides with a side bending machine as opposed to bending by hand around a hot pipe. I talk about the pros, the cons, and the practical tips on bending wood. And I

Posted in All, Guitar Making, Jigs, Uncategorized, Videos

Sapele vs Mahogany: A Comprehensive Review

I use a lot of Sapele here in the shop! I talk about my experiences and those of my students with using Sapele including how it bends, how it carves, the aesthetics, and it’s mechanical properties. Want more of this?

Posted in All, Design, Finishing, Guitar Making, Videos

Guitarmaking Q&A for August 3rd, 2018

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

Posted in All, Design, Finishing, Guitar Making, Guitar Repair, Tools, Uncategorized, Videos

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

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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

Posted in All, Design, Finishing, Guitar Making, Jigs, Tools, Uncategorized, Videos

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

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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

Posted in All, Design, Guitar Making, Uncategorized, Videos

Extensive wood repair beneath a Floyd Rose bridge

Someone brought a Stratocaster to my shop with extensive damage beneath the tremolo bridge. Watch as I remove the split and damaged wood and patch in new wood to restore this guitar to playing condition!   Want more of this?

Posted in All, Guitar Repair, Uncategorized, Videos