Guitar Construction book
 

I have been thinking for some years that I would like to try building
a guitar, and the availability of kits at reasonable prices is making
me think about it more and more.

I want to read a book on the subject but am not sure what would be a
good overview. The only book I can find at the local library is
"Classic Guitar Making" by Arthur Overholtzer, but it seems to be
permanently checked out. Does anyone have a recommendation of a book
that would give a good overview of the procedures and skills needed?
Preferably something with lots of pictures ;-)

TIA

Tim Douglass

http://www.DouglassClan.com

"Tim Douglass" wrote in message
...
I have been thinking for some years that I would like to try building
a guitar, and the availability of kits at reasonable prices is making
me think about it more and more.

I want to read a book on the subject but am not sure what would be a
good overview. The only book I can find at the local library is
"Classic Guitar Making" by Arthur Overholtzer, but it seems to be
permanently checked out. Does anyone have a recommendation of a book
that would give a good overview of the procedures and skills needed?
Preferably something with lots of pictures ;-)


http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/luthi...5&site=grizzly

In article ,
Tim Douglass wrote:

I have been thinking for some years that I would like to try building
a guitar, and the availability of kits at reasonable prices is making
me think about it more and more.

I want to read a book on the subject but am not sure what would be a
good overview. The only book I can find at the local library is
"Classic Guitar Making" by Arthur Overholtzer, but it seems to be
permanently checked out. Does anyone have a recommendation of a book
that would give a good overview of the procedures and skills needed?
Preferably something with lots of pictures ;-)



*The* guitar making reference is titled, appropriately enough,
_Guitarmaking: tradition and technology_, by Cumpiano and Natelson,
published in 1993 in paperback at $29.95. It is very complete, probably
all you would need if you have reasonable woodworking skills. It is a
well-illustrated step-by-step guide to building a classical or
steel-string uitar.

*The* guitar making reference is titled, appropriately enough,
_Guitarmaking: tradition and technology_, by Cumpiano and Natelson,
published in 1993 in paperback at $29.95. It is very complete, probably
all you would need if you have reasonable woodworking skills. It is a
well-illustrated step-by-step guide to building a classical or
steel-string uitar.

And it will scare the bejeezus out of you. :) A table just has to LOOK
nice. A guitar has to look nice and PLAY nice. Great book, though.

On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 17:55:25 -0800, Tim Douglass wrote:

You might want to check out the books page at
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Books,_p..._acoustic.html

Also, I'm told that it is easier to go with a kit, and the Grizley kits
have a good track record on the music news group that I'm on.

Tony

On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 17:55:25 -0800, Tim Douglass
wrote:

I have been thinking for some years that I would like to try building
a guitar, and the availability of kits at reasonable prices is making
me think about it more and more.

As some others have suggested the Cumpiano book is a good one.
You might ask your question at rec.music.makers.builders. I'm sure
some other suggestions would be forthcoming.
Also, mimf.com is a useful resource for instrument makers. They do
want you to register but there is no cost.

Mike

On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 03:25:20 GMT, "mark" wrote:


*The* guitar making reference is titled, appropriately enough,
_Guitarmaking: tradition and technology_, by Cumpiano and Natelson,
published in 1993 in paperback at $29.95. It is very complete, probably
all you would need if you have reasonable woodworking skills. It is a
well-illustrated step-by-step guide to building a classical or
steel-string uitar.

And it will scare the bejeezus out of you. :) A table just has to LOOK
nice. A guitar has to look nice and PLAY nice. Great book, though.

In the knife-making world they refer to "knife-like-objects", things
that look like knives but won't hold an edge. I figure if I can build
a "guitar-like-object" or two and sell them in a pawn shop I might
learn enough to be able to actually build an instrument.

Tim Douglass

http://www.DouglassClan.com

On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 04:31:04 GMT, Anthony VanCampen
wrote:

On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 17:55:25 -0800, Tim Douglass wrote:

You might want to check out the books page at
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Books,_p..._acoustic.html

Also, I'm told that it is easier to go with a kit, and the Grizley kits
have a good track record on the music news group that I'm on.

The Griz kits are among those I've been looking at. I planned to start
with a kit for sure.

Tim Douglass

http://www.DouglassClan.com

On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 17:55:25 -0800, Tim Douglass wrote:
I have been thinking for some years that I would like to try building
a guitar, and the availability of kits at reasonable prices is making
me think about it more and more.

C.F. Martin, makers of _excellent_ guitars, has kits with great instructions
available. Maybe you can buy just their manuals?

Techniques and materials are _very_ different depending on if you're building
a classical, a steel-stringed, or an electric guitar. No point learning how
to support a top for the wrong type, so if you narrow down your goals you'll
be able to find more directly applicable information. Me, I'm planning
to go with one of Martin's kits when I build one.

Dave Hinz

On 15 Dec 2004 20:02:38 GMT, Dave Hinz wrote:
On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 17:55:25 -0800, Tim Douglass wrote:
I have been thinking for some years that I would like to try building
a guitar, and the availability of kits at reasonable prices is making
me think about it more and more.

C.F. Martin, makers of _excellent_ guitars, has kits with great instructions
available. Maybe you can buy just their manuals?

Techniques and materials are _very_ different depending on if you're building
a classical, a steel-stringed, or an electric guitar. No point learning how
to support a top for the wrong type, so if you narrow down your goals you'll
be able to find more directly applicable information. Me, I'm planning
to go with one of Martin's kits when I build one.


Guitar World (iirc) had an April Fools issue 20-ish years ago when brass
parts were all the rage.

They machined a Stratocaster copy from solid brass. Their comments
we

"The heaviest strap wasn't much use, and besides, at over 70lbs, it
proved impossible to hold it in playing positiong. So we used a Hurst
engine hoist instead."

"Yeah, it was heavy, but you shoulda heard the SUSTAIN!!"

On 15 Dec 2004 20:02:38 GMT, Dave Hinz wrote:

On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 17:55:25 -0800, Tim Douglass wrote:
I have been thinking for some years that I would like to try building
a guitar, and the availability of kits at reasonable prices is making
me think about it more and more.

C.F. Martin, makers of _excellent_ guitars, has kits with great instructions
available. Maybe you can buy just their manuals?

Techniques and materials are _very_ different depending on if you're building
a classical, a steel-stringed, or an electric guitar. No point learning how
to support a top for the wrong type, so if you narrow down your goals you'll
be able to find more directly applicable information. Me, I'm planning
to go with one of Martin's kits when I build one.

At this point my interest is in an acoustic steelstring. I don't have
much practical interest in electric guitars (as instruments to play)
and classical is not really my musical interest, so...

Tim Douglass

http://www.DouglassClan.com

Tim:

Have you seen the site:
http://www.lmii.com/
Luthiers Mercantile International?

They seem to have great Kits for reasonable prices.
Try building a guitar from a kit just for "practice" and then
when you read up on the "how to" you can relate.

Phil

"Tim Douglass" wrote in message
...
I have been thinking for some years that I would like to try building
a guitar, and the availability of kits at reasonable prices is making
me think about it more and more.

I want to read a book on the subject but am not sure what would be a
good overview. The only book I can find at the local library is
"Classic Guitar Making" by Arthur Overholtzer, but it seems to be
permanently checked out. Does anyone have a recommendation of a book
that would give a good overview of the procedures and skills needed?
Preferably something with lots of pictures ;-)

TIA

Tim Douglass

http://www.DouglassClan.com

Martins are among the best factory made guitars, but do not compae with hand
made guitars.

Tim

On 16 Dec 2004 01:30:55 GMT, TJTalbert wrote:
Martins are among the best factory made guitars, but do not compae with hand
made guitars.

True. I have a Lowden that I just love, but if I was going to buy a
factory-made, it'd be the Martin HD-28. You just can't match the hand-made
ones, though.

Dave Hinz