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Private member DiscussionTotal Vise

Quick question - Erlewine neck jig and Proper workstation

Just starting to research these items, so forgive the noob question/s… Can these two items be combined? I.e. could one fasten the Erlewine neck jig to the Proper workstation? Or are they two completely different items? Does the Proper workstation allow you to do fretwork under string tension, or is that only on the Erlewine jig? Or could you possibly buy both items, then switch them out on the same mounted post? My primary issue I’d like…

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I do have not the real “Erlewine Neck jig” but a wooden one I cheaply made after the Dan’s ones on the Stewmac books and videos. Quite basic, it was meant to be a first trial to test everything… but i…
Private member DiscussionGeneral

Need help with 1915 Gibson Mandolin

I’ve got this early Gibson A mandolin that has been separated for a long time. Even without string tension I can’t line the back up for repair. Any ideas? TIA

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that does sound like a sticky wicket. :)
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Regluing Taylor bridges and others with embedded electronics

I was recently asked to do some set up work on a Taylor GS Mini when I noticed the bridge beginning to lift at the back corner on the treble side. The pickups/electronics are mounted through the bridge plate and bridge, which is not something I've dealt with before and I'm wondering about how you all approach bridges like this. Any tips, tricks, warnings, etc. Would you tend to remove the bridge and reglue (if so, how nightmarish is it d…

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I'm not sure if you're aware but I worked at Taylor for 24 years, 19 of those in the Repair Dept. Dust and glue is totally appropriate, especially on the Tecate made guitars. That's what customer servi…
Private member DiscussionGeneral

Flying V Neck/Body Separation

Hi, I have a 2021 58 Flying V reissue. The neck joint has started to pull away from the body at the back. It's only separating in that one area. All else is solid and it holds string tension just fine. I can force the joint open a bit with string tension and some pressure. What type of glue should I use ? I need something that will seep down into the joint. Thanks

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Thanks Ian, if I use epoxy what type would be thin enough to penetrate the narrow space? I do believe Gibson uses hide glue. In that case would I need to use hot hide glue or possibly fish glue?
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

How to treat warped neck

Hi everyone! I'm looking for advice about heat treatments for a warped neck, I know they are a thing but I've never actually done one. I have an Epiphone Les Paul in the shop that originally I was only going to do a level/crown/polish and a setup on, but when I tried to adjust the truss rod and checked the fingerboard with a straight edge I noticed there was about .030" of relief in most of the middle section, which was pretty consisten…

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Thanks so much, you guys! I appreciate the help. Sorry I haven't replied, got caught up in things :)
Private member DiscussionDesign and Testing

String Tension calculator spreadsheet

Hi everyone, in the loothalong I shared this spreadsheet I put together a few years ago, based on D'ADDARIO phosphor bronze strings data, and Elixirs' as well. There are a few different tables for standard 6 strings, fanfrets, harp guitars, baritone and 12 strings. You choose the relevant table, input the scale length, string gauges and tuning, the spreadsheet will give you individual string and total tension in lb and kg. For the fanfret…

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Great Max, thank you! Giuliano
Private member Discussion3D Printing

Patchy print

What is going on here? Ender 3 neo. Have tried multiple filaments. The extruder is in good condition. It is spinning but filament isn’t being pushed through. Just put a fresh nozzle on. Increased tension on the extruder.

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Ok i believe i have diagnosed the two fold problem. First, in my research this moring i stumbled upon some interesting information. I had the hot end taken apart yesterday to clesn it out. i did NOT p…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Breedlove Trussrod Removal/Replacement

Breedlove Roots D/SRH (basically an HD28V) on the bench with a non functional trussrod. Wrench will engage, but the nut just spins and no change in relief in either direction. Pretty sure the nut is stripped at the rod end, but due to the neck block design, there's no way to access it without pulling the neck. Anybody ever replace a trussrod in one of these? The neck is a bolt on, and the fingerboard extension is glued down, so only…

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I've replaced many a truss rod on Taylor's. Same neck bolt design with glued on fingerboard. Only difference is the adjustment is at the peg head. But they can be dug out at the heel and slid out. I t…
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

David Bunker Tension Free Neck

I have a client bringing an Ibanez with the Bunker Tension Free Neck system in for a setup. I've read a good bit about these necks, but I've never worked on one. Any pointers/cautions will be appreciated. Thanks!

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We had one once and it was not a big deal. I don't remember all the details but it wasn't hard to understand. Just familiarize yourself with the various adjustments. One of my techs set it up and didn…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Strange(?) bellying on Martin 000-15 SM

Just realized that I posted this on the main feed earlier and should have posted it here. Apologies for my poor posting skills. Will go and delete the original now.... Hello all, I’m new around here and excited to continue lurking and learning, taking in all the great content and the knowledge of all you experienced looths. I am more familiar with building than repairing, but I am interested in learning all I can about both. I’m happy to…

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Yeah, I don't know. I would start by calling Customer Service. They will either direct you to a warranty operation for verification or if they let you send the pics, they might just issue a Return Aut…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Cracked in the head/stock

Looking for advice on the best product and technique for getting adhesive deep into this tight crack. Under string tension, the headplate has a visible stress line but no damage in the finish. The crack does open a bit with a little pressure but I’m hoping to avoid cracking through the HP. Thanks so much

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Yeah I would probably blow in some slightly watered down TB with the ol' compressed air/suction cup method.
Private member DiscussionDesign and Testing

Laminating carbon fibre in neck blanks + before and after measurements

Two pieces of maple, each of which were measured beforehand and then cut up and epoxied back together to keep things as consistent as possible. Even the orientation of the grain was the same to avoid any impact of vertical vs horizontal grain lines. The plain maple had one layer of 300gsm 12k unidirectional carbon fibre between each piece, the flame maple had two per lamination, which may be why it sees a smaller gain afterwards? Lots m…

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Thanks for this! I worked with FRPs, carbon fiber, etc. for years as a shipwright and never came across colored product like the Hypetex you mentioned. Very cool! Hypetex makes flax-based and carbon f…
Private member DiscussionGeneral

Neck Off Center on Resonator Tricone

I recently installed a new "Billet T-Bridge" on a Mule tricone resonator guitar. The neck center line on this instrument is pointing 9/32" toward the treble side of the end pin. This means the saddle has to be as far to the treble side as possible so that the strings line up on the neck. This makes the angle of the treble strings coming out of the tailpiece more splayed than the bass strings. The guitar is coming back, as the player s…

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