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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…

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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 DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Silvertip Epoxy on Stained Mahogoany Body & Neck

So, I've stained the body and neck and I'm in the process of applying several (3 or 4) coats of epoxy to them for pore filling. I watched Michaels video on the subject. My question is: When sanding the epoxy I beleive I should stay above the wood (stay in the epoxy) since it is stained, right??? When doing this same process on a body and neck that is not stained, I could sand back to the wood without consequence if I'm consistent…

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Hi Gerry: Since you are starting over I would ask yourself if you really need to apply the stain to bare wood. It certainly can be done but more commonly the color is applied after the guitar is pore…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

More Tanglewood bridge issues

The COE reviewed this bridge disaster in January, a Tanglewood acoustic given to me that had the bridge ripped off as well as some of the underlying top, and an attempted repair with spruce veneer (COE video link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlpOIWQrAlw&t=2685s). The general opinion was to install a bigger bridge plate. However, once I removed the existing bridge plate, I found that the underlying repair had not been fully done,…

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Ian Davlin
Private member DiscussionCAD/CAM

New Fusion 360 Workflows!

I just updated Fusion 360 and there are some significant changes in workflows. I kept looking for New Component and couldn’t find it anywhere. Frustrating! It is still available in the Hybrid workflow. The new workflow is split into individual Parts and Assembly’s made of those Parts. This YouTube video explains the changes very well.

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Tomorrow, Feb 19th at 11 am US ET, there is a Fusion 360 free webinar going over all the new features/changes, if anyone is interested in attending. Here is the link to Subscribe to the YouTube video:…
Private member DiscussionElectric Builds

Doug Proper/Guitar Specialist video

Hi there folks! Many months ago I watched a video (or probably a live streaming) with Doug Proper -among others- in which there was a part where he talked about necks weak point in the heel area and other stuff such as neck relief terminology. That topic keep buzzing me in the head, is possible to have a proper (small) discussion about that? I have a couple question

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Private member
Hey Alex, I'm always happy to have a conversation about any questions you might have. The easiest wat to connect with me is via email- [email withheld]
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Modular Clamp For Acoustic Guitar Repair

So, I made a modular clamp based on the split clamp idea. Started on a prototype about two months ago and finished it. What I was aiming for was a clamp that I could use on the BOTTOM of acoustic guitars as well as tops to clamp cracks, cleats, braces, patches etc. Especially a clamp that would access small openings like "F" holes, small sound holes etc. Essentially a way to get a clamp to areas not accessible to jacks, wedges etc.,…

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Ian Davlin
Really cool design !
Private member DiscussionDesign and Testing

Interlocking Scarf Joint

A while back I saw a Canna Guitars video on Instagram and thought his use of the “wave” scarf joint between his neck and headstock was an interesting use of CNC. But it got me thinking about other options, and this idea percolated in my brain: Cut a regular scarf joint, but then using a CNC cut a tenon into the neck, and a mortise/dado into the headstock. (Obviously you could also do this by hand with a saw and chisel). The joint would i…

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Ian Davlin
Dude, that looks pretty hip. Do you mind if I add this to the council of elder show ?
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Fabrication/Modification

Someone from the group asked if I'd make a video on how I modified a sound hole clamp by splitting it in half. Here's the vid. Some were semi worried about injury do to DYI nature of the vid, so I put this disclaimer to you: Any contents in this video are not the responsibility of The Looth Group or any of its subsidiaries or the creator. There's also a more wordy disclaimer in the "more" section of the vid. Onward.......https://you…

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Update: 12/31/25. Another looth (Chip Tait) found a Frank Ford article where he fabbed a split clamp out of aluminum! So cool! He was such a genius with ideas and tools. We came up with this idea fr…
Private member DiscussionDesign and Testing

Guitar frequency testing in the white.

In Michael Baskin's on-line video, he uses a frequency test of a guitar in the white to determine whether to thin the lower bout before finishing. The guitar in the video has a bridge attached. I'm wondering if this is the final bridge or something temporary. If the latter, how do the results compare to the final frequency analysis? I've used a bolt-on bridge to do the same, but don't have enough data points to draw a firm conclusion…

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I would probably blue tape/super glue the bridge in place vs bolts which would change the weight somewhat radically.
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Anyone use vacuum clamping for bridge re-glues?

I bought the O'brien vacuum clamp and a pump to clamp bridges on new builds, but also to use for repair work. I got tired of making custom top and bottom cauls for every odd-shaped bridge that comes in my shop. The vacuum clamp works great on a flat surface with no pick guard. I put it on a J45 with a pick guard, and it won't seal. The gasket is too hard to form over the pick guard. I've seen YouTube videos of other folks using vacu…

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Scott, Here is a pic of me using the clamp over a Taylor guitar that has a pickguard. I am able to get it to create a seal. The bigger issue for me is making sure to mask off the bridge pin holes and…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Warped x-brace on Gibson L-3

I watched the Guild F-20 video (https://dev2.loothgroup.com/groups/repair-and-restoration/forum/topic/cracker-x-braces-on-guild-f20/#post-60310) with great interest since I've been working on a Gibson L-3 with a similar problem. A little back story - The original repair request was to address a small pickguard crack on the sound hole side. After peeking inside, I saw 5 loose brace ends on the treble side. Still a pretty standard repair…

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That move of 3D printing the taper you want and running it through the sander to make a copy just blew my mind! Thanks for sharing Dave!
Private member DiscussionAmps, Pickups, and Pedals

New Pickup in Andy Wood's new Billy Strings D28

We install a lot of LR Baggs pickups, but nobody has ever gotten more excited about their new pickup than Andy Wood. If you don't know Andy, watch this fun video.

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Beau Hannam - Beau Hannam Guitars DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Youtube video tutorial on how to thoroughly repair Martin Binding failures.

New Youtube video tutorial on how to thoroughly repair Martin Binding failures.

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The most perfectly timed video ever. Just had one come in with that exact issue. Time to purchase a new type of glue...again. Thanks Beau!!
Private member DiscussionGo Acoustic Audio

Go Acoustic Audio Joins The Looth Group: Acoustic Amplification Redefined

Hi everyone, We’re really excited to be joining The Looth Group as new sponsors, and we wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves. I’m Ben, and together with Paul McGill we run Go Acoustic Audio. Paul is in his 50th year of guitar making — a milestone that speaks to both his craftsmanship and his persistence in chasing better sound. He’s spent a lifetime building instruments for players at every level, listening closely to what works…

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Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Mystery Buzz

Hi Everyone,I hope you’re having a great weekend! Can anyone help diagnose my mystery B string buzz? I tried to attach a video but the site won't take it. I’ve tightened all hardware and the b string is not hitting any frets. I’m giving it a set-up and when I had to lower the nut slot height of the B string it improved a bit. When I capo at the first fret the buzz disappears so it seems to be something going on at the nut. …

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Hi Ian, I just sent the email. Thank you for your time and attention!