The Hub

The latest builds, repairs, and conversations from across Looth. Activity
Filters AND Search controller× In Tools, Spaces & Robots× In Repair & Restoration× Reset all
Private member DiscussionShare Your Repair Content

Introducing the NutBuster

Hello All I have been using Ted Bergstrand's online nut calculator on Benchmuse.com which is excellent. It allows you to have a consistent gap between each strings vs the progressive gap that the Stewmac rule gives you. Or you can do consistent centers to the strings. I have definitely found measuring the nut with calipers to work a lot better than the stewmac rule and don't use the rule anymore. I wanted some additional functionality…

1 reply
1 reply
LikeShare
Private member
PS All Hail Ted Bergstrand who introduced me to many very useful things. Kind of nuts how many things I use now that Ted turned me on to.
Private member DiscussionGeneral

Sadowsky bass help needed please 🙏

Sadowsky use unique control plate screws which are much smaller than common plate screws. I believe the ones they use are: #3 × 3/8" Phillips Pan(domed) Head Black Oxide csk self tapping Sheet Metal Screw Type AB thread. Being in the UK, these are really hard to find, pretty much don’t exist here, so can anyone please help me or point me in the direction of a supplier? I’ve contacted Sadowsky direct with no response and also many of my main…

3 replies
3 replies
LikeShare
Private member
Hi Nigel. #3's are impossible to find. Can you step up to a #4 like these? There slightly larger. https://accu-components.com/us/shop/precision-components/drilling-tapping/self-tapping-screws/counters…
Private member DiscussionTools and Jigs

Tool for shaving back braces

I am retopping a guitar and while it's open I want to reduce the mass of the back braces. Since the sides are in the way, I can't figure out how to cleanly cut the excess brace wood away; anything I've tried involves the handle hitting the sides and preventing a controlled, clean cut. Is there a tool - say a "pull finger plane" - that I can pull from the edge to the middle of each brace to facilitate this?

6 replies
6 replies
LikeShare
Private member
My problem in this parlor guitar is that any chisel I currently have is too long and I can’t address the middle third of the brace without coming in at such an angle that I can’t control the chisel pr…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Heat Blanket controller....

HEy FOlks. Ive Been using a really old timer and reostat control, with a separate thermometer, on my heat blanket set up for a while. Its worked, but id like to be a bit more mindless about it if possible. Does anyone have suggestions for heat blanket controllers that have a digital readout and built in temp control sensor?

4 replies
4 replies
LikeShare
Private member
Sounds good. The reason I picked this model is because is can use a "K" style probe or a thermistor probe which will work in a wet environment (greenhouses etc.). I posted a flat probe upstream that…
Private member DiscussionCAD/CAM

“I live my life a 1/8 mm at a time”

Guitar neck topology is worth going microscopic. 🔬🦠 After building my starting surface from a wireframe network in the sketch environment; a system of 4-degree control point spline rails, tangent to projected isoparametric curves along the shaft — I can convert the NURBS surface to a T-Spline and start cleaning up the artifacts left behind by the original loft. In this demo I’m turning on Box Display, which feels strange at first because…

LikeShare
Private member DiscussionCAD/CAM

Fast & Curious 3: Parametric Drift

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWAuW40jAR_/?igsh=MW1jNDdoYzllMGFmMA== I’ve spent a few overly caffeinated days bouncing between modelling environments, different combinations of operations, tools.. subtle differences in how the coffee is brewed. In short… • Building Iso Curves in Sketch. Defining the surface structure and flow • NURBS Surfacing from curves, smooth intentional surface topology. • BRep Face to T-Spline in Form Environment. Org…

6 replies
6 replies
LikeShare
Private member
Brett -- If you are doing free-form modelling, have you tried using Shapr3D software? I just started playing around with it and it seems to be reasonably intuitive and easy with which to get started.…
Private member DiscussionCAD/CAM

2 Surface 2 Transition

Back at tinkering with the new Isoparametric Curve tool in Fusion. Scroll down to PICTURES LETS GO! If you want to skip this little walk through Autodesk Fusion memory lane, clearing up some of the UI conFusion. Why something so seemingly basic, is just being added today. 2009- Autodesk Inventor, hybrid modelling experiment, parametric and direct CAD in one hybrid system. 2011- Autodesk acquires T Splines Inc. an organic modeller still in…

LikeShare
Private member DiscussionCAD/CAM

Fusion Surface Transition Update

I had a feeling I should have updated Fusion before 3D Club... Todays New update introduced Project Isoparametric Curves "Isoparametric curves in the Sketch environment, adding new ways to extract surface U and V curves for more controlled lofts, rails, and surface transitions" ...The meridians on the shaft surface seen in the attached photo. I still haven't fully grasped how to align these between faces, attached is a quick…

LikeShare
Private member DiscussionGeneral

Humidity stability, moisture meters

It's that time of the year when I start to get all paranoid on the humidity levels of my shop. It happens at this time as the heating seems to send my hygrometers out of whack and it's quite difficult to keep things stable. So far i've been relying on keeping a 45% constant humidity in an automated system I built on Domoticz (similar to Home Assistant), which control a humidifier and dehumidifier. I'm not that confident i got this nailed…

3 replies
3 replies
LikeShare
Private member
Thanks both for your replies. In all honesty so far I have not had any issues with my builds. The Trevor Gore books do mention that gluing should always be done at 45%RH, so i'll keep trying to stick t…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Problem fitting an LRBaggs Anthem to a Martin D-16RGT

So, like an idiot, I got well into the installation of an Anthem pickup system when I realized that the soundhole braces on this guitar are effing Lincoln Logs. They're easily a quarter inch thick (and feel like basswood). Because the Anthem preamp is designed to straddle the soundhole brace, I can't fit it as-is. Anybody got any experience with this? OPTIONS THE CLIENT WOULD NEVER GO FOR (and wouldn't thrill me either): 1. Replace the bra…

8 replies
8 replies
LikeShare
Private member
Thanks for that. In this case I don't think modifying the preamp is possible. At least not for me, as I'm certain the circuit board fills the case. I could potentially 3D print a new case for it, but…
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Wiring Overhaul - Music Man Reflex Game Changer

Would you have any recommendations on wiring configurations and piezo controllers to replace the electronics in my Music Man Reflex, which used to have the Game Changer system? The guitar has an HSH pickup configuration with a piezo bridge pickup. It has three existing holes for Volume/Tone/Blend, a blade switch slot, and a 3-way switch hole. When I bought this guitar about a decade ago, the Game Changer system offered a mind-numbingly a…

4 replies
4 replies
LikeShare
Private member
You might even consider the Free-Way switch such as on StewMac. 5-way/10-position switch, lots of wiring options there.
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Double Humbuckers - Schematic?

Friends, I am looking for a wiring schematic that shows how to set up 2 humbuckers, each with their own Volume pot -- no Tone in this circuit. Everything I have has some type of Tone control in the circuit. Any suggestions? Thanks!

4 replies
4 replies
LikeShare
Private member
i erased the tones. if you are leaving a switch out the output hot goes to both middle lugs of pots
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Hofner Bass

Got a 60’s Hofner bass coming in that is noisy and feeds back (according to the owner). Thoughts on why? Any chance taking out the control plate screws could be an issue?

3 replies
3 replies
LikeShare
Ian Davlin
Might have a loose common ground for the buzzing. You should investigate the wire going to the tailpiece. If it doesn't have one, add one.
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

DeArmond Rhythm Chief Install

Hey! I had a customer drop off an ultra clean 60’s L4 and he has a repro de Armond rhythm chief he wants installed. Does anyone have any experience installing these with minimal modifications? It has the pole that mounts on the fingerboard which I’m hoping is the only mod. I ordered a repro guard and it will need to be notched for the pickup and have the volume and tone control mounted. Does anyone have any experience mounting a jack to th…

3 replies
3 replies
LikeShare
Private member
If this ever comes up for others here is what I dreamed up: I mounted a small jack onto an L bracket and fixed it to a replacement mounting arm and replacement pickguard. Ready to go!