The Hub

The latest builds, repairs, and conversations from across Looth. Activity
Filters AND Search acoustic× Reset all
Private member DiscussionDesign and Testing

Mandolin acoustics academy - Hub Of Acoustics

Hi everyone, I'm Martino from Hub of Acoustics, a collaborative project created by luthiers for luthiers. Our goal is to explore and teach acoustic principles that are directly relevant to instrument making. In 2026, we’ll be running four courses in different parts of the world, all focused on giving luthiers practical tools to better understand and control the acoustics of their instruments. We’re excited to introduce our very…

LikeShare
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Cupped panel

I have a set of bubinga for an acoustic back, but one piece had a slight cup that made it difficult to work with for joining together. This is pre-thicknessed, with the piece at 4.5 mm thick. I tried wetting and heating it, as I do for sides, and pressed it flat during the process. I heated it to 300 degrees F, and then let it cool while pressed, and the cup got substantially worse. I then pressed it into a reverse cup using a radius…

9 replies
9 replies
LikeShare
Private member
To get the nice figure in Bubinga, ordinarily the board is flat sawn. That greatly increases the likelihood of cupping. If you are able to flatten out the cup enough to joint the 2 pieces and thickn…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Advice on getting this 50s parlor nylon back into good shape?

Hi all, I'm new here. I've been playing guitars for ~15 years and recently started as a technician at a music production school in London, where part of my job is maintaining the guitars. I picked up this 50s parlor nylon the other day and it's in bad shape but I don't know how to go about repairing it. The main issue is the bridge. The guitar was kept high strung and the bridge has twisted and lifted off slightly at the base. T…

13 replies
13 replies
LikeShare
Private member
So now put the iron on low, heat the bridge for at least 5 minutes, then take it and the insulating cardboard off, and see if you can begin to work palette knives under the bridge. If it's not relativ…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Wood-Body Resonator Guitar Construction – Materials & Suppliers?

Hi Everyone, I believe this may be my first post here, so just a quick introduction — I’m Andrew in Milwaukee, WI. I’ve been building a few years. My luthier eyes were opened first by Charles Fox in Portland which led me to the Gallop School. I recently retired from a tech career and I am now based in Milwaukee, WI focusing on acoustic builds. I’m currently exploring wood-body resonator guitars, and I’d love to learn more from t…

2 replies
2 replies
LikeShare
Ian Davlin
Andrew, I'd like to talk to you about this question. Could we connect on a zoom call ?
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Wood Supplier

Greetings, I was wondering if anyone has expierence with good a supplier for red spruce, preferably old growth, that they would point me to. This would be for acoustic tops/sound boards. From the reading I've done, it seems that the "Adirondack" variety might be the prized piece to get. Haven't decided if torrified is what I'm looking for. I'm also going to need to get brace wood of the same species. Any and all suggestions are…

2 replies
2 replies
LikeShare
Private member
Thanks Brock
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Weird situation with PRS SE Angelus acoustic truss rod

I've got a PRS SE A50E acoustic in with complaints of high action. Checked the relief and it was sky high. Tried to flatten it, and it wouldn't go, so I started experimenting. When there's no string tension and the (single action) truss rod is slack, there's loads of relief. Tightening the truss rod works fine and the nut turns easily until the neck is flat, then resistance goes up but the neck won't go past dead flat. It behaves as…

1 reply
1 reply
LikeShare
Ian Davlin
With all that extra relief it's probably hard to tell, but is this a double action rod? As far as compressing into a back bow, it can be done if the untensioned relief isn't crazy. It dounds like you…
Private member DiscussionRepair and Restoration

Fender Wildwood Acoustic Guitar

Has anyone removed the stabilizer bar from a Fender Wildwood Acoustic guitar? I need to repair the bridge area and I cannot figure out how to remove the internal stabilizer bar. Any input would be appreciated

0 replies
LikeShare
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Methods for aging a new acoustic bridge?

Hey all, Anyone have any go-to methods for making new replacement bridges look old? I’m about to make a new bridge for a relatively beat up 40’s Martin and contemplating ways to make it look more the part. With the replacements I’ve made up to this point I’ve always just sanded em real smooth, micromesh, oil, wax etc. I’m thinking maybe a wire brush prior to sanding for that shrunken grain look? The new bridge will be Indian rosewood. T…

2 replies
2 replies
LikeShare
Private member
You can try raising the grain a little with a damp paper towel. I wouldn't got too wet. Mirlon 2500 pad is my go to for knocking down the sheen. Add dents to your liking. Find a reference photo a…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

New Acoustic Build - Having trouble

Hi all. Brand new member. I’ve been building a classical guitar via kit from LMI for a couple of years now. I keep putting it off but recently became motivated to get back to it. Unfortunately LMI is out of business so I now have no one to go to to ask questions. I’m at the stage where I’m putting the sides together in the form. I followed the dimensions for the form based on the plans as I measured them, but the sides overlap pretty ba…

9 replies
9 replies
LikeShare
Private member
Structurally you are fine. When you glue this up (this is important), make sure your sides are clamped in the form VERY snug so there are no gaps between the sides and the forms. This will leave the…