Err, thinking about it 6.5mm + 13.5mm is probably closer to 20mm than 19mm! It’s been a long week!

18mm at the nut is really thin I’ve got 6.5mm of fretboard in the middle  so about 19mm in total at the nut. This still leaves at least 3mm of material beneath the truss rod so I think it should…   Read more»

The flame didn’t match up very well side to side Remember that the flame is always going to be a negative book match ie one stripe will look light and the corresponding, opposite stripe will look dark. I have to…   Read more»

Hi Robin,
Are you going to put any insulation board in the spaces between the wall verticals? You could then make guitars outdoors all year around rather than being trapped indoors where other jobs might need doing! 🤣 🤣 
Just a thought!
Darren

Hi guys, Before I commit it to the bandsaw (yes I’m doing this one by hand!!) any thoughts on how thick my neck should be at the body end? I have drawn it at about 16.5mm (excluding fretboard) but I’m…   Read more»

Hey Louis, It looks great to me, if it needs sanding then sand it, just make sure you do it evenly over the whole surface of the  fretboard so that you don’t change the radius profile or cause hollows. It…   Read more»

Wait for MkII!

might I suggest shaping the outriggers to suit Hi Jonathan, I completely agree. This is prototype No1 and I really just wanted to get it spinning so that I could assess access tot he mop and understand where any problems…   Read more»

Good morning everyone, I had the delivery of mop polisher shafts arrive on Monday so it was time to down tools (my real work tools that is!) and assemble everything so that I can make something shiny! The 25mm diameter…   Read more»

I love the headstock drilling jig. Gimme, gimme, gimme!!

So many geometry variations, so many design philosophies, so many material choices. Yet so many companies and luthiers each following these different paths still all manage to produce wonderful, playable instruments. Could it be that there are many possible solutions…   Read more»

We’re really sorry to hear this news Mark. I hope she makes a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with you and your family.
Darren & Dawn

Isn’t it amazing? 60 years old and still actually quite a playable instrument. Quirky I’ll grant you, but who knows how it really sounded when it was new. They go for quite big money these days with collectors who see…   Read more»

I think he should be tested? This is not normal behaviour within this forum! Saying things like that could get him barred!!

Do you notice any difference in tone . Without wanting to blow my own trumpet too much, the first two laminated, steel string acoustics that I made are still the best sounding, best intonated and loudest acoustics I’ve ever played…   Read more»

Hi Deej,
Pleased to see that you have found no need to use the word ‘enough’ (is it even actually a word?!!)
Darren

I think you have to look at the product in context. Reviewing a 50’s or 60’s plastic guitar in the 80’s or 90’s is probably unfair. It was designed to be a low cost, reasonably ok guitar made from materials…   Read more»

Being ‘posh plywood’ they are less affected by changes in temperature and humidity and this was the aim of Mario Maccaferri when he first designed the guitar. I believe that his later company in the US went on to manufacture…   Read more»

Hey TV, are you sending letters to the national press under an alias? I think we should be told!

I love the drilled hole and dowel to act as the registration system. Very cool.
It look like a great job. Looking forward to seeing the guitar.
Cheers
Darren