Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Martin, the time that you have committed to keeping this forum up and running is appreciated.
Thank you for your dedication, your sense of humour will be missed.

Thank you Trevor. Speaking of baseball bats must try hickory for back and sides on the next steel string.

On the J 45 drawing #1 only the top end of the X braces are housed into the linings.
The bottom ends of the X braces are feathered and not set into the linings.
Is this normal on all X braced guitars? Does this make for a more responsive top?

Very nice indeed Pete.

Bruce

What about a dreadnought?

Do a Google search " how to make a truss rod for a guitar".

Hi David

Welcome to the forum. Looking forward to seeing more of your builds.

Hi Mac,
a long shot, try Terry Gordon at H.N.T Gordon and Co, the plane makers in Alstonville, NSW.
He has offcuts of gidgee and mulga that maybe suitable for fingerboards.

Beautiful replica Martin. A couple of questions please,
did you reinforce the heel/neck mitre joint in any way?
Was the bridge decoration hand cut or by CNC?

Hi Jorge

I live in Canberra. Happy to help if I can. Have sent you a PM with contact details.

Hi

I have a copy of Graham McDonald's book for sale. See under Buy, Swap or Sell.

Hi Peter

Any decent hardware store should have 6mm dia connector bolts
with a flat hex socket head, plus cross dowels or threaded inserts to match.
Failing that try cabinet hardware/kitchen joinery hardware suppliers.

The current post on this forum regarding the Caldersmith Papers has reminded me of a great documentary film
on the trials and tribulations of violin making. The film features several Australian makers including Graham.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lmb_4beZKM

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-03/ ... /100878946

Anyone who has seen this magnificent piece of cabinetry will understand the significance of this destruction.

Thanks for your comments Martin.

Hi Martin
Very nice guitar, did you have any issues with bending the figured Qld maple sides?
I have found that such figured Qld maple has a tendency to split with the grain
at the waist or upper bout.

Hi Trent, for my 1.6 Yens worth, try 1.5mm Birch plywood (aircraft/modelling ply).
It has worked for me in eliminating waviness in the top of my latest nylon string.

Hi Colin welcome to the forum.
Are your sides well quarter sawn? If not they will tend to cup in storage, particularly
if they are not separated or "stickered". Sides that are not well quartered also have
a tendency to ripple when bending. See the recent post by Robbie O'Brien on this forum.

Hi

I think your F diagonal of 175.63 is suspect, too high.

Hi Al I used 3 x halogen bar lamps 110W. Lined the inside of the bender with a reflexive mylar film that all good hydroponics shop sell and monitored the temp with a digital thermometer. I am happy to lend you this bender if you can make it to the other side of the bubble. The only body form I have ...

To drop the main air frequency you can reduce the diameter of the sound hole with a ring of purfling/binding or
add a tornavoz. The deeper the tornavoz the more the the main air will drop.

Hey Martin

Bjelke was one of your mob Sorry Trent didn't mean to highjack your post.

I am with Martin #1 Thuja plicata, # 2 Acacia melanoxylon.

Hey Peto

Give us a clue, where are you?

Peter
I have neither experience with river red gum nor mandolins but I have found your posts
very informative. Thank you for your time and effort.