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Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Wood Storage

To the builders out there, how/where do you store wood for builds? Is it different for back+sides vs tops vs neck blanks? Any periodic maintenance required? Thanks in advance!

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When I first started I was not in a tightly humidity controlled environment, so I stickered all sides/backs/tops. A real PITA and used up lots of room. But when I moved to a controlled environment (…
Private member DiscussionGeneral

Workshops

Almost a year ago I complete a certificate program and became a journeyman luthier/ guitar tech. Looking to continue my education and I was wondering if there were any weekend workshops or anything similar in the north east/ tri state area that anyone would recommend? Thanks in advance! -Vinny

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Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Cracked neck on Taylor 710

This repair came into the shop on Thursday. The crack appears to go most of the way through the neck but hasn't opened up at all. What is the current best practice to address cracks like this? Shout out to @member as the resident Taylor expert. Thanks in advance for your help.

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If they do not want to pay for a new neck, and are up for a simple repair: prying it open a hair, inserting glue with a syringe, and clamping up is a fairly easy fix. I would use Old Brown Glue, as it…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Low frets on Gibson J45

Just wondering how normal the following is on Gibsons. When I run a straight edge from the 7th to the 15th fret on this modern J45 the 12 fret (and neighboring frets) are 3-4 thousands low. The result is fret buzz on the 9th to the 14th fret on the wound strings. Picture attached. Guitar is around 5 years old and otherwise in very good condition.

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If you have enough fret height, just level and crown the frets. Unless the frets are very short, there’s really no need to pull them.
Private member DiscussionFinish Repair

Osmo oil finish

Hello. I am interested in the luthiers opinions about using Osmo oil as a finish on acoustic guitars? Advantages vs disadvantages. I am a new builder with small home workshop, mostly using hand tools to build my first acoustic guitar, an OM pre war style. Thank you all.

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Hi Matthew- I have been using Osmo on Guitars and other woodworking for about 15 years. I love the stuff, and it is still a bit confusing at times to understand their products. They have oils with less…
Private member DiscussionGeneral

Newbie luthier wannabe

Thought I would introduce myself, I am a retired computer nerd ex farm boy that loves to fix things… used to repair/rebuild pianos but now that I live in FL, space is at a premium in small home so I now am venturing into repairing guitars…. I have numerous practice candidates I have picked up on the cheap as not to destroy anything of value or collectability, and have tooled up with enough stuff to be dangerous. I have done several aco…

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Glad to have you on board, Tom! Welcome!
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Cracked x-braces on Guild F20

Looking for some advice on a repair for a 1966 Guild F20. The guitar top is significantly depressed (bowl shaped) around the sound hole. This is due to both upper x-braces being cracked as they tuck under the purfling. Also, the bridge is starting to pull off. Any suggestions on sequence of actions? Specifically, should I try to flatten the top area above the bridge and around the sound hole prior to fixing the x-braces? Would it be…

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Tony thanks for sharing this example. Your work really paid off! My top deflection is about the same (1/4" at the sound hole). It's interesting to me that you took the bridge plate off. When I reach in…
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Just one string buzz from 1-12 even with really hi action.

I work in guitar repair for over 20 years and this strange buzz happen only 3 times and i really going crazy. Five years ago a all parts strat neck in G string, change string, leveling frets twice thinking i made a mistake, in some point i made a rudimentar neck jig to tried to repair that neck. Work in that guitar for 3 weeks and string heigth like 3.5mm and yeat, buzzing with not so hard picking just the G, even in other tuning like F…

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Thanks Ian! It’s a brand new guitar, client contact the dealership and it’s in process to return and get other one. I really want to open and understand why this happened, not know why it’s a big bumm…