Musical instruments (any)

[Jan_P]

I buy specialist wedges of maple or sycamore, sometimes cherry or walnut. Spruce or cedar for the top https://juratonewood.com/en/29-archtop-back-sides
Then join them to form the back, or top. This usually tapers from around 50mm in the centre to 20mm at the edge. Cut out the guitar shape. Then draw contour lines on the wood. I Then drill to a fixed depth on each contour line, getting deeper towards te outside. Then I carve down to bottom of the drill holes with specialist planes. Sand it all smooth.
Carving the inside is a bit similar.

Thank you interesting do you have special professional experience with wood working
What about the fret board and neck It does not look adjustable is it a carving and testing problem fitting it till it is correct.
Perhaps a special tool for the specific Neck
I suppose it is ( Neck ) glued.

Sometimes se these types sold Used .But known brands are expensive Even though seldom see them used live in bands.
If you know a low priced reasonable good sounding brand please tell.

 

[SteveP]

I actually make all the parts fron rough wood. You can buy all the parts from luthiers suppliers. Though I tend to use ebay these days.
I have no specific woodworking skills other than the ones I've learnt over the years making guitars. I'm engineer by trade.
A lot of the tools are homemade. I think the main equipment is a router, a bandsaw and a pillar drill.
A guitar usually takes me around 200 hours to make. The materials for am upmarket guitar can cost around £500. I usually sell them for around £700. I pay myself £1 per hour. It won't make me rich, but it does make me happy.
There are many books and online resources on the subject.
A friend of mine just acquired the first archtop guitar i made around 25 to 30 years ago, so I took a photo with my latest one.

 

[Adamc]

I actually make all the parts fron rough wood. You can buy all the parts from luthiers suppliers. Though I tend to use ebay these days.
I have no specific woodworking skills other than the ones I've learnt over the years making guitars. I'm engineer by trade.
A lot of the tools are homemade. I think the main equipment is a router, a bandsaw and a pillar drill.
A guitar usually takes me around 200 hours to make. The materials for am upmarket guitar can cost around £500. I usually sell them for around £700. I pay myself £1 per hour. It won't make me rich, but it does make me happy.
There are many books and online resources on the subject.
A friend of mine just acquired the first archtop guitar i made around 25 to 30 years ago, so I took a photo with my latest one.
View attachment 374926

Have to say they are works of art, and no doubt beautiful to play. Selling at $700 is way to cheap for a bespoke guitar with those looks.

 

[SteveP]

Thanks for.
I suppose I just enjoy making them. I only sell them to friends and people I worked with.
At the end of the day I actually make a bit of cash to start looking to buy some new wood for the next one.
I was going to say it's similar to building a bike. But over the years I can't think of one where I've come close to covering my costs when I sell them.

 

[Jan_P]

At the other end I have a habit picking up Cheap Guitars some from Thrift stores Car boot sales with defects
And of the 3 - 4 recent
I bought a shorted one At the in plug Jack and Danny Brothers . .Not difficult fix and it have a worn first fret
will replace when i Replace strings.
I guess early 90 ies or older .
Good Sounding I dont know if the Pickups are replaced
But if you se one at a Pawn Shop it can be a good idea check it out
It is Chinese and Cheap I feel it is bordering to medium level sound or better quality at at rock bottom Price.
It comes in as second or third after the Japan Stratocaster
was it $ 30 or $ 40 i Payed. Using it a lot now . At home .


Looks about as that

 

[SteveP]

A friend of mine does the same. At last count he had around 20 guitars in his house, in various states of repair. He does seem to end up with some very nice instruments. And turn a profit.
He is a bit of an obsessive sort of person.
His wife, who is very understanding drew the line at double bases. He had three at one point

 

[jetmechmarty]

His wife, who is very understanding drew the line at double bases. He had three at one point

Hmmm…. I try to imagine me drawing the line on my wife’s number of shoes. I think that’s dangerous territory. At least, it would be for us.

 

[SteveP]

It's a very good point. I think I'll keep it to myself though. Probably safest

 

[John Regular]

I actually make all the parts fron rough wood. You can buy all the parts from luthiers suppliers. Though I tend to use ebay these days.
I have no specific woodworking skills other than the ones I've learnt over the years making guitars. I'm engineer by trade.
A lot of the tools are homemade. I think the main equipment is a router, a bandsaw and a pillar drill.
A guitar usually takes me around 200 hours to make. The materials for am upmarket guitar can cost around £500. I usually sell them for around £700. I pay myself £1 per hour. It won't make me rich, but it does make me happy.
There are many books and online resources on the subject.
A friend of mine just acquired the first archtop guitar i made around 25 to 30 years ago, so I took a photo with my latest one.
View attachment 374926

Those are beautiful man, I really love the F holes in the one on the right, and the tail piece. the stepped fret board. cool all around.

 

[John Regular]

I found a Samick that I forgot that I bought in a box that I thought was empty. I vaguely remember buying it. It had some shoddy soldering that was easily fixed. I just liked the way it looked ( like another much rarer guitar of mine ).