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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | The bug to build my own acoustic has hit. I have started to read and paruse materials. Currently have a bid on ebay for a AAA elite top...but curious if there are others out in OFC land. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | At one time, I was considering one of the StewMac "BuildYourOwn Resonator" kits (always wanted a reso) . . .
Then, . . . Al sold me a pretty cool Chinese dobro for $100, and that somewhat "appeased" me . . .
THEN, . . . Bill loaned me a couple of old Nationals t'play/babysit for the Winter . . .
. . . NOW, . . I'm TOTALLY f@cked.
I wouldn't mind attempting to build my own something-or-other, but I'd have to first put together a somewhat decent workshop in the garage, and I'm not quite "there" yet.
I was thinking that building a hammer dulcimer'd be pretty cool . . . |
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March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | I saved an article from Acoustic Guitar, from maybe 10 years ago, about a guy who built his own acoustic guitar from a kit. I'd love to do it, and my son is always hot on the idea, but we have absolutely no room in the house or garage for the project. |
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October 2005
Posts: 803
Location: Avondale, AZ | I would build an acoustic but I don't know how to mold plastic. |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | The Stew-Mac guitar kits look interesting, but I think I'd start with a mando and work up.
Roger |
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November 2002
Posts: 3603
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Essentially, I REPAIR guitars, not construct them. I have a pretty good understanding of the art & technique of luthiery. The necessary equipment & expertise to construct a quality instrument is formidable. The kits are basically self-explanatory, and you have good tech support throughout the project. Here is an excellent source of information, and a great group to hang out with:
http://luthierlibrary.com/pages/1/index.htm
Whatever you decide, don't be in a rush. Good luck! |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Seesquare,
Thanks for the link.
The shop and tools are not a problem. I'm actually a pretty talented wood carver and will enjoy doing as much as I can by hand tools and between my and my brother's workshops there is little more I would need.
I'm studying up on jigs for bending and clamping methods at the moment, which seems to the biggest hurdle.
I've got it in my brain that a 12fret, cutaway, slotted head would be
most delictable....I'm in no hurry. |
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October 2005
Posts: 5327
Location: Cicero, NY | I've got a couple of friends who have built a couple and they actually came out very nice. The time factor aside (it's a given that the first one will and probably should take almost forever), I'm thinking that with a little talent, good tools and a little luck, it's probably a great project to take on. Go for it, good luck and have fun, Jeff.
And it should go without saying that pics of the process all the way through (ala Sam's) will be mandatory. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | the cursing, hissy fit pics should be most amusing.... |
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March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Chet Atkins once wrote that he didn't think it could be very hard to built a guitar, so he did. Said it sucked (my paraphrasing). It's a lot harder than it looks. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | oooh, I think it won't be easy to make a guitar that sounds and plays well. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Originally posted by Jeff W.:
oooh, I think it won't be easy to make a guitar that sounds and plays well. Considering the time it would take, and the risk of not have a real quality instrument when all is done, wouldn't it make more sense to spend the time praticing guitar? |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Hmmm...
many hours in a day...
and life would be a complete bore if i didn't take a few risks along the way.
After all, why even bother practicing the guitar if you don't play it right the first time :confused: |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | WorstCaseScenario:
. . y'got a nice wall hanger. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | ...maybe a little fern in the soundhole(s) |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Ooops, I started commenting about what makes sense and forgot where I was posting this.
:D |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| What he's not telling you is he ripped an FD14 apart to see how it's done.......
Think Tim Allen and a chainsaw.
The Ute stays here until all sharp tools have been taken into custody.
Like I couldn't see this coming. :D |
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March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | My first acoustic was homemade, but not by me. Nice looking and sounding dreadnaught, but it was a real finger buster. When I tried out my Ovation Matrix it was like heaven.
You guys that don't have a shop or garage, my wife wants to downsize, so a large house with pool, basement shop, rec room (music room) and 5 car garage is available for the right price. |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | ...yeah, the Fudd will make a nice template now that I've got her in pieces |
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January 2003
Posts: 146
Location: Ct./ USA | http://www.cigarboxguitar.com/ |
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February 2003
Posts: 2177
Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | I'm currently building a F5 mandolin from scratch. I "offically" got started (cut the first piece of wood...) at the end of Aug. but I began building the jigs and molds needed months ahead.
Seesquare is correct....the list of tools needed are formidable but I'm a "Tool Junkie" so I only needed the specicalized luthier's tool specific to instrument building (I SHOULD atleast be getting a Christmas card from Stew-Mac :eek: )
I've been documenting my progress with my digital camera and maybe hope to make a web page of my build but that's way in the future but would still be kinda neat!
Good Luck and keep us posted......Seesquare also gave good advice when he said, Don't be in a rush!
Take your time and enjoy and be prepared to walk away
for a while....It can get frustrating at times :cool:
Most of my links are for mando builds but here are a few guitar ones....
http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/DaveKit/dave/LMIKitBuild.htm
http://www.hoffmanguitars.com/building_a_guitar.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/il3/jkumorek/
btw - the pics of my build (so far) are 1200x1600 sized....If anyones interested, I'd be glad to send a them a free CD (no text just pics) - PM me |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | thanks for the links, Boney. Enjoyed them and I suspect they will come in handy. |
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February 2004
Posts: 2487
| Yeah still working on the shop myself, got most of what I need for the cabinetry and woodcarving but my luthiers tools are somewhat lacking.
Finally got around to buying a large buffing wheel set up, some fret files, and a bridge clamp but thats about it.
If you really must build one start with an electric! Solid bodies are easier to work with and you'll learna lot about necks, bridge set ups, intonation, electronics and finishes.
Acoustic Guitars are a whole other animal. And although very doo-able with some experience you can very easily end up with a box full of half finished guitar parts to leave to your grandchildern if you jump into this to fast.
Just a humble observation from a guy who has a few boxes of unfinished projects kicking around. I'll bet most of us do if we all came clean
Randy |
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October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | I'm afraid that if I ever finish all my projects I'll die. In the interest of self preservation, I procrastinate. When I pass on, my wife will have one of the greatest yard sales in history. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | Mine sells all my stuff when I'm still alive. |
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Building a guitar
