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Private member DiscussionGeneral Business

I was on a Podcast about my guitar business.

Here it is. I thought it turned out ok. Hopefully it's a help to someone. ☺️

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Private member DiscussionCustomer Relations

Would any of the Council of Elders be willing to speak at a SIMSCal Meeting?

Hello to the Council of Elders! My name is Joe Byron, and I am president of the Stringed Instrument Makers of Southern California (SIMSCal). We have been around for over 30 years and have a large number of members and followers. Our membership includes both professional and non-professional luthiers. SIMSCal meets 4-8 times per year (both live and virtually), and we share tips, processes, stories, and show off our work. We frequently inclu…

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Ian Davlin
Speaking on behalf of myself, I already have. I had a great time too.
R M EXPORTS DiscussionSELL! SELL! SELL!

Guitar Custom Camel Bone Nuts and Saddle

Hello Luthiers and Guitar Builders,We manufacture and supply high-quality natural bone Guitar Nuts and Saddles in custom sizes for acoustic, electric, classical, and bass guitars.What We Offer:• Custom-sized Bone Nuts & Saddles• OEM & Bulk Orders• Precision Cutting & Finishing• High-Density Natural Bone Material• Consistent Quality• Worldwide ShippingWhether you need a single custom specification or bulk production for your workshop or…

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Private member DiscussionSELL! SELL! SELL!

For Sale: Headstock Veneers and Decals

Hello! A client of mine have given up on the idea that he'll make good use of this Gibson and Fender stash. He willing to entertain separating items and is open to offers. No idea how to value this lot... Please call or text 1-765-729-5282 if you have questions or offers. Located in between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne Indiana. As I understand it, getting NOS Gibson headstock veneers can cost and arm and a leg these days... The headstock ve…

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Private member DiscussionJob Postings

Looking for CAD expert

Hello all! My name is Jake and I run a repair shop out of my NYC apartment. I am looking for someone who's experienced in CAD to help me with a project. I am working on a 5 string headless bass build for a customer. The neck & body are to be CNCed by a local mill here in Brooklyn, NY. I have a 2D design (PDF and CRD), but I need help making some modifications, as well as translating it to 3D. Pay is negotiable. I will basically pay whate…

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Private member DiscussionGeneral Business

Appraisals

Friend brought his "old guitar in the basement" over for me to have a look at. Long story short, it's a 1945 D-18, it's all original and it's a beauty. He had no idea. I explained to him that it was worth somewhere between 15 and 25 thousand bucks, that it needed some fairly routine repairs and that he should get - among other things - an insurance rider and take a little more care of the guitar than he has been. Picture attached for fu…

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Ian Davlin
The VG price guide is a pretty good place to start. On something like that, I'd be tempted to pay for an appraisal from Gruhn's though. They used to do email appraisals that were reasonably priced. Re…

Experienced Builder and Red Wing Grad

Howdy folks, I'm a 2026 graduate of the two year guitar program at Red Wing (Minnesota State College Southeast). Between my two years at Red Wing I worked at Collings Guitars in Austin, TX for two years in the acoustic neck department, shaping and finish sanding ~2000 necks, radiusing and gluing ~750 fingerboards, and pressing ~100 sets of frets. I also spent a couple months in the finishing department level sanding and pore filling ~300…

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Lucas does great work.
Private member DiscussionSELL! SELL! SELL!

Buffing compounds! Cheap!

I’ve changed up my buffing protocols (again) and am selling off two lots of compound bars: -four bars ColorTone Fine, $55+shipping -three bars Menzerna P204 + two bars GW16, $100+shipping. USA shipping only. thanks, Creston

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Private member
Hey Creston, I sent you a connection request so I can DM you
Private member DiscussionBUY! BUY! BUY!

WTB: waterslide

Does anyone know a waterslide decal maker who sells Fugazi decals in a fender font?

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Private member DiscussionGeneral Business

Fender, Schmender

Since most of us fix or make guitars, we have probably heard something about the cease and desist letters Fender has sent out concerning the Stratocaster. I thought I would offer some thoughts. As always, caveat emptor. There are three basic ways to protect intellectual property under Federal law. Patent, trademark, and copyright. Each protects different things, and has different underlying legal theories. Lets begin with pate…

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Private member
There is also a time limit to both Patents and Copyright (and Trademarks, though Trademarks can be renewed). Don't know how long they last in other countries, but Canada is normally 20 years. Copy…
Private member DiscussionJob Postings

Full-time Luthier Position @ Austin Straight Frets

Straight Frets in Austin has an excellent full-time position opening up soon. The job pays by the job, and equates to $70-85K a year for a tech that does: *neck resets *structural repairs *bridge making/reglues *refrets *headstock breaks with splines/airbrush We work on about 1,350 guitars a year (about 28-30 a week) and have had work shipped in from 22 different states at this point. We also teach setup classes on…

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Private member DiscussionGeneral Business

Insurance

Hi all, To those of you that work out of your house, how are you insuring your home/business? We are moving house and just had a homeowners policy cancelled due to my home business. Given how easy it is for these companies to deny claims, I want to make sure I do everything on the up and up. I'm in New York, and have Heritage for instruments that come in and out of my shop.

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Private member
We ran into similar issues when I was working out of my garage. A lot depends on your state, the carrier, and how much customer traffic you have coming to the house. We've since moved into a retail loc…
Private member DiscussionJob Postings

Full-time luthier — Custom Shop & Production

Rask Guitars — Utah (relocation required) Rask Guitars is a Utah-based custom shop dedicated to building exceptional instruments — primarily high-end acoustics, alongside electric guitars and prototypes. We operate with a small, focused team where craftsmanship isn't just a standard, it's the entire point. We're growing, and we're looking for a skilled, experienced luthier who's ready to plug into a real production environment, contribute…

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