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Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Neck block for adjustable neck -thoughts on design

I've built a number of classical guitars with an adjustable neck and they seem to gather quite a bit of interest, so i'm currently in the process of looking to refine the design and build. It's quite a simple construction where the neck is held together by string tension and hangs on a pivot. I developed a 3d printed "socket" which acts as the interface between the body and the guitar and allows for some fine tuning of the alignment of t…

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Not really answering your question but I've done a version of the Smallman/Gore joint (I think it's really just Smallman but whatever) on all my guitars (nylon/steel/gypsy). I'm not particularly conc…
Private member DiscussionJob Postings

Looking for CAD expert

Hello all! My name is Jake and I run a repair shop out of my NYC apartment. I am looking for someone who's experienced in CAD to help me with a project. I am working on a 5 string headless bass build for a customer. The neck & body are to be CNCed by a local mill here in Brooklyn, NY. I have a 2D design (PDF and CRD), but I need help making some modifications, as well as translating it to 3D. Pay is negotiable. I will basically pay whate…

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Private member DiscussionGeneral

Sadowsky bass help needed please 🙏

Sadowsky use unique control plate screws which are much smaller than common plate screws. I believe the ones they use are: #3 × 3/8" Phillips Pan(domed) Head Black Oxide csk self tapping Sheet Metal Screw Type AB thread. Being in the UK, these are really hard to find, pretty much don’t exist here, so can anyone please help me or point me in the direction of a supplier? I’ve contacted Sadowsky direct with no response and also many of my main…

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Hi Nigel. #3's are impossible to find. Can you step up to a #4 like these? There slightly larger. https://accu-components.com/us/shop/precision-components/drilling-tapping/self-tapping-screws/counters…
Private member DiscussionGeneral Business

Fender, Schmender

Since most of us fix or make guitars, we have probably heard something about the cease and desist letters Fender has sent out concerning the Stratocaster. I thought I would offer some thoughts. As always, caveat emptor. There are three basic ways to protect intellectual property under Federal law. Patent, trademark, and copyright. Each protects different things, and has different underlying legal theories. Lets begin with pate…

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There is also a time limit to both Patents and Copyright (and Trademarks, though Trademarks can be renewed). Don't know how long they last in other countries, but Canada is normally 20 years. Copy…
Private member DiscussionDesign and Testing

Node Atlas v1.1.0

Dialled in the Beta, much further. Now at v1.1.0 Echoing Christopher Alexander’s argument in the first half of “Notes on the Synthesis of Form” here. Parametric, Semi-Lattice Structures. Centres within Centres, interacting to form the whole. A living structure. Because of the dimension of time, and feature hierarchy, and methodology we end up with a Centre Oriented Semi-lattice Hyper-graph, or COSH for short. This will be available on the…

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Private member DiscussionJob Postings

Full-time luthier — Custom Shop & Production

Rask Guitars — Utah (relocation required) Rask Guitars is a Utah-based custom shop dedicated to building exceptional instruments — primarily high-end acoustics, alongside electric guitars and prototypes. We operate with a small, focused team where craftsmanship isn't just a standard, it's the entire point. We're growing, and we're looking for a skilled, experienced luthier who's ready to plug into a real production environment, contribute…

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Private member DiscussionCAD/CAM

Contriver Node Atlas

A visual dependency map for Autodesk Fusion. It turns complex Fusion designs into an interactive map of model logic, helping users understand how parameters, sketches, construction references, features, bodies, and other design elements relate to each other. Instead of digging through dense timelines, browser trees, and feature chains, Node Atlas gives users a readable graph of how a design is connected. It is built for designers, builder…

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Private member Discussion3D Printing

FretSander Spool Design Updates

Modified Feed Spool to have two sandpaper slots: one for 400 grit or lower and one for 600 grit or higher. Modified Take Up Spool slots to hold 600 grit and higher papers without slipping. Updated files are available in .zip download. https://dev2.loothgroup.com/loothprint/fretsander/ Images

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I'm loving the original version, can't wait to try this one out!! Thanks!!!
Private member DiscussionTools and Jigs

Measured drawing and assembly for Proper Variable Radius Sanding Jig

Doug Proper designed a sanding jig that supports variable concave and convex curves, described in the following Loothgroup article: https://loothgroup.com/post-imgcap/the-variable-radius-sander/ I built one and am impressed with how it facilitates preparing bridges, braces and also allows tracing any radius using the chord formula. I made a rough measured drawing and assembly guide to share, with Doug's blessing. First step, ma…

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Ian Davlin
Thank you John !
Private member DiscussionSuggestion Box / Bug Reporting

Looking for Looth Feedback

Hey Everyone! I have been messing around with a program that Ian introduced me to called "FarPlay". It is similar to zoom but designed for playing music together. In prototyping it I have made some discoveries, particularly that you need a really solid internet connection. Wifi seems doable but causes the most problems. If enough people were interested I am imagining two different ways it could be fun for us. The first would be…

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Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

1950's Gretsch Neck Reset

I had a vintage Gretsch semi hollow come through the shop this week and it's left me with some questions. First off identifying the instrument's model has been a trick so far. The only information I can find is that is was likely built in and around the early 50's Second, it's in need of a neck reset. I'm not particularly well versed in resets for hollow and semi hollow guitars, especially one of this age and design. I'm very curious…

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Ian Davlin
That neck is coming off because it wasn't put on very well when it was made. In my opinion, slipping some glue in there and trying to clamp it shut will result in the next guy (often you) having a har…
Private member DiscussionElectric Builds

Back in the business!

So after a small battle with an illness, I started building again just today! The first (old) own design since 2020. It seem like I'm breathing again! Images

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good to have you back again fresh and healthy!
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…

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Ian Davlin
Andrew, I'd like to talk to you about this question. Could we connect on a zoom call ?
Private member DiscussionCAD/CAM

2 Surface 2 Transition

Back at tinkering with the new Isoparametric Curve tool in Fusion. Scroll down to PICTURES LETS GO! If you want to skip this little walk through Autodesk Fusion memory lane, clearing up some of the UI conFusion. Why something so seemingly basic, is just being added today. 2009- Autodesk Inventor, hybrid modelling experiment, parametric and direct CAD in one hybrid system. 2011- Autodesk acquires T Splines Inc. an organic modeller still in…

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Private member Discussion3D Printing

Printed Vacuum Puck

Found this, will print later, saves a little design time. https://makerworld.com/models/1835300?appSharePlatform=copy Having made 3D printed Vacuum fixtures for CNC previously, I’d recommend printing as close to 100% theoretical density as possible, as any voids can and likely will lead to suction loss. Finer dimensional stability and layer adhesion with something with Glass Fibres will probably help. I’d avoid materials with additives th…

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Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

Automotive paint?

Hi -- I am planning to have a maple Thinline Tele top painted by an automotive paint shop. They've made a glossy and a matt sample for me and it looks great. I wonder if anyone has any experience with this, and specifically: - if I bind the top first, will the paint stand very proud above the binding once I scrape the paint off the binding? - the matt looks terrific, but it looks like it will burnish and get shiny in spots or line…

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Cool vid denoting that nitro from auto suppliers was used. Maybe of some help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i16aEeWxXjo
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

GoBar deck adjustment

Hi folks, I thought you might be interested in this approach to having easy height adjustment for a GoBar deck. I learned this tip from my buddy, Don Parker. He lurks around here too from time to time. :) The basic idea is rather than having a booster platform on the base for use when gluing braces to plates you bring the roof down lower. There is a 3D printed spacer in black in the pics. I linked to a downloadable STL and 3MF of…

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Just FYI, as far as I know, go bars have the same clamping strength no matter how much they are bent. If you want a different level of force, you need a heavier go bar. Or vice versa.
Private member DiscussionCNC

The Nerd pickup winder

Hi guys, here’s something I’ve been working on: a fully automated, programmable pickup winder. The software is still in alpha testing and there’s still a lot to design, but this is what it looks like so far! Images

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And there's the name for your new pickup company: Nerd Pickups.