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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 DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Eirw finish streaks under nitro

23 yo acoustic in for touch ups. EIRW, nitro. Has a couple of spots on the sides that look like this. In good general shape. What’s going on here? No texture, its under the finish.

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Private member
kinda looks like compound in the grain from buffing, then relized the grain wasent sealed well & cleared some more over it...
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Inside Label: Do you date it?

Do you guys put a date on your inside label? My wife says not to. If you do, why please, she asks. Personally, I have written the completion date on my lables.....

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Private member
I put my signature and a (month/year) date on the inside of the soundboard below the bottom tone arm. No date on the label.
Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

How to "Fix" Rosewood Bridge Dyed Black?

I dyed an East Indian Rosewood bridge black to match the Blackwood fretboard before gluing it on*. The bridge is now glued to the top. What are some ways to "fix" that dye into the wood. I'm not crazy about TruOil - up to 40% mystery oil..... *I did a sample on rosewood with 4 different "dyes" and they were all stable, would not rub off with paper towel, naptha or mineral spirt. I went with the TransTInt. I did not however test with…

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@Chris Frederick Guitar Recovery LLC I tried some "Lemon Oil" over the already dyed bridge and it actually set the color, thanks for sharing that. I don't know why that worked, but it did. I'll fini…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Detached Wiring - Wire Hanger Enhancement

Hi Everyone, I hope everyone is having a great weekend! I have some wiring that has come loose in an acoustic guitar as the adhesive attached to the wire hangers has failed after about 1.5-2 years. Normally I would just pop in new ones but I'm wondering if there is a stronger adhesive that can be added instead of just relying on the sticky tape that comes with what is in the included pictures. Thanks in advance!

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If I remember correctly, I think Evan puts a small dot of thick CA glue on those to ensure a longer lasting bond. Great idea! I always forget. I've been using those for decades and if the wood is clea…
Ian Davlin DiscussionJob Postings

Career Opportunity - Mike Lull’s (Bellevue WA 98005)

We’re Hiring: Experienced Luthier Mike Lull’s Guitar Works is looking for an experienced Luthier to join our team. We’re seeking someone with strong hands-on experience in instrument repair and restoration who’s ready to work in a collaborative, high-quality shop environment. Our demand for our acoustic repair and restoration services as well as our own line of guitars/basses is growing year over year and we’re looking to add to the tea…

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Private member DiscussionShare Your New Builds Content

Acoustic build - documenting on instagram

I've been documenting progress of an acoustic kit build from Amazon over on Instagram, would love for some feedback from those that know more than I do. My goal is to build only with the materials provided in the kit, though I'm definitely using as many tools as I have at my disposal. I'm not expecting a quality instrument at the end of it, but I at least want it well built :) Looking forward to any feedback I can get. Thanks. https://ww…

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Private member
Hey Aaron! Greetings from down the road in West Hartford. One of the things that I don't like about Instagram is its inability to weave a narrative. Check out this presentation I did on a site called…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Neck gap at heel

Just finished my 7th acoustic guitar and have an issue that is perplexing me. Before putting strings on the guitar the bolt on neck fit very well. However after stringing up there is a tiny gap at the heel (please see pic). If I take off the strings (removing string tension) to floss the joint the gap isn't there. Does anyone have tips to remedy the issue?

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Ian Davlin
Neck block could be flexing. Threaded insert could be pulling out. How much have you coved out from the heel ? Do you have any pics of the neck and neck block not assembled etc ?
Private member DiscussionFinish Repair

Mid-90s Gibson acoustic finish adhesion

A fella left his 1994 Gibson Blues King locked in a damp garden shed through a hot humid summer. See attached pics! The clear coat has lost adhesion pretty much everywhere on the neck, back and sides, and is starting to let go on the top too in places. But 95% of the colour underneath seems to be hanging in there. Customer is open to a full refin. But I'm wondering how exactly the colour on these was applied, why it seems relatively…

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Ian Davlin
I'll start swinging by late. Fair warning. My A game leaves the station at about 4pm these days cuz I'm old.
Private member DiscussionGeneral Business

Call for Luthiers and Small Makers

Call for Luthiers and Small Makers Daymaker Music – Bainbridge Island, WA Daymaker Music is opening this November in downtown Winslow in Bainbridge Island, and we’re inviting makers and luthiers who value craft, sustainability, and community to help us shape what customers see and hear when they walk in. We’re looking for small makers, independent luthiers, and custom builders who want their instruments on a dedicated wall of our new retai…

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Thanks for the callout. I'll reach out soon to learn more. Best, Chris
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Fretboard hump above fret #12

Is it a common problem for the fretboard on an acoustic to develop a hump around Fret #12 and higher, where the neck meets the body? If so, what is the cause, and is there something that can be done, or avoided, during the initial build process? I have two quality Zager brand guitars that both have the problem, with the problem being worse on the cheaper model. I am a newbie to fret dressing and lowering, so I first tried adjusting the…

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Thanks for a great answer. I am a retired sonar engineer, so your explanation makes perfect sense to me. I figured it had to be almost an endemic problem with acoustic guitars.Next question: Can you r…
Private member DiscussionFinish Repair

Useful Mixol Tones

I have to place an order and need to add a few things to get free shipping. I was going to add some mixol tints. Any recommendations on useful tones for Acoustic repairs?

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Ian Davlin
I alway start with the primaries - red, yellow, blue - black and white and then a very neutral brown. The idea that with those colors you can mix into anything. Turns out, pigment mixing doesn't work…
Private member DiscussionGeneral

Hofner Committee tuning key and nut repair

And another one — putting it in general as while this is an acoustic, the particulars are more relevant to the brand than the type of guitar. This is a very early Hofner Committee (serial 20XX, maybe 1954?) that has suffered some minor blunt force trauma. The mounting posts for one of the tuning keys snapped. While repros may be available, I assume with something this weird and vintage repair is probably more feasible and affordable. Bu…

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Private member
I am wondering if you could replace the tuner gear mounts. Drill correct diameter hole in the right thickness of steel and shape the rest including the legs to be peened with a file. You might hav…
Private member DiscussionGeneral Business

Workshop Layout

Hi everybody, Can anyone share their workshop layout? I have recently moved country and I need to transition from sharing a 300 sqm workshop to having my own, which will be significantly smaller. I would find it very helpful if someone - especially luthiers operating in a small workshop - could share their workshop layout, even just by describing it (what machines are essential in your space, what machines do you outsource, etc). I mainly b…

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Private member
I bought a way big CNC and that was mostly a mistake. The capacity is cool but it takes up so much of my floor space. I use it in ways I didn't really think I would. I could definitely get by with…
Private member DiscussionShare Your New Builds Content

Acoustic Guitar

Hello! This is my current build! https://www.instagram.com/p/DMO6PqXRAkg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MWdhbW4wdG51bDJ4ZQ== "Here’s a quick check-in on the two guitars I’m currently working on. The bodies are getting ready for binding(arm bevel too!), while the neck is in the middle of headstock design. For the tiger-patterned guitar, I’m planning to inlay Jakho-do (Korean tiger-and-magpie painting) with mother-of-pearl. The other one…

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Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Cutaway vs. Scoop cutaway

Thinking of trying a scoop cutaway on my current acoustic build. I actually planned to do it but I’m having second thoughts. I have no issues bending a cutaway. Question for those who have done it - is the higher end of the fretboard still comfortably accessible with the scoop and, is there any perceptive difference in sound by saving that small portion of the upper sound box? I guess I’m just wondering if the extra work is worth anyth…

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Private member
I had the same line of thinking. I appreciate your feedback. I haven’t searched the AGF for this topic yet, great idea.
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Suggestions for bridge plate pickup installation...

Hi all, I have 4 TRANCE audio installs imminent... these pickups are glued to the bridge plate similar to the KK audio processes... do any of you have any PRO tips on the adhesive to use, placement ideas (possibly different than manufacturer suggestions, etc) and such? Trance Audio suggests E6000 adhesive...but I'm hoping to find something that transfers the vibration in the best manner... (Hide glue??) These are for live performing ac…

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Apparently, the E6000 remains flexible after curing (unlike hide glue). Maybe the flexibility is necessary for the best sound for this pickup. The instructions say to hold it in place for 10 minutes…
Ian Davlin DiscussionJob Postings

Job opening at Seven C Music

Seven C Music is a full service guitar specialty shop located in St Petersburg Florida. The owners are David and Joel Hosler. Both have extensive backgrounds in repair and service along with other staff members. Seven C is currently looking to add a qualified repair technician to their group. The opening requires working experience of five years or more diagnosing and repairing both acoustic and electric guitars. This is not a back r…

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