Ultimate Guitar Building » Table of Contents

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General Information (9)
General Information about guitar building including, history, theory, resources etc.
- Build Your Own Guitar - Are You Up To The Task?
  If you decide to build your own guitar, you are undertaking quite a project. This article will help you cope with some of the experience questions, tools and…
- Glossary of Luthier Terms
  Glossary of Luthier Terms Source: General Information Glossary of Luthier Terms: The guitar making profession as in any profession has its'…
- Guitar Kits
  Guitar Kits are becoming quite sophisticated over the past several years. It is a great way for a budding luthier to get their feet wet without full immersion…
- Guitar Plans
  If you are interested in building your own custom guitar, the best place to start is with a great set of guitar plans that is detailed, shows you all the…
- How to Sharpen Chisels
  It is a well known fact that you can hurt yourself much easier with a dull tool vs. a sharp one. This chisel honing guide takes through the process of truing…
- The Great Bridge Pin Debate
  A lot of guitarists and luthiers alike enjoy arguing about such things as to the importance of bridge pins used on a guitar and whether or not wooden pins…
- The Search For Instrument Quality Wood
  You can get a lot of satisfaction and reward from searching for and re-sawing your own instrument quality wood. You can often save up to 70% by doing this, and…
- Tonewood for Guitar Tops
  Selection of the guitar top plate tonewood is one of the most important steps you can make in the wood selection process. The top is the most influential piece…
- Why Millimeters?
  If you are currently making your guitars with plans dimensioned with fractional inches, consider converting the dimensions to millimeters. This will make…
Guitar Bracing (9)
We cover the different types of bracing found in classical guitars and acoustic guitar, their history of the bracing pattern and purpose.
- Brace Strength Analysis
  Stress Placed On Bracing Source: General Information Brace Strength Analysis: In this article we will be making an analysis of the strength of…
- Bracing the Backplate
  Guitar Back with Bracing Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Back Tools and Materials Required: Go Board Gluing Tool Titebond II or III…
- Hand Splitting Guitar Braces
  Hand Splitting Guitar Braces is an age old art. It involves splitting the wood to eliminate run-out. Learn how to do it in this article. Also find out what…
- Kasha/Schneider Bracing
  Kasha/Schneider Fan Bracing Diagram Source: Guitar Plans The Post Modern Classical Guitar - The Kasha/Schneider Bracing: So for a long time many…
- Ramirez Bracing Pattern
  Ramirez Fan Bracing Diagram Source: Guitar Plans // Ultimate Guitar OnLine on Facebook The Modern Classical Guitar - The Ramirez Brothers: After…
- Scalloped Bracing
  If you have been around the acoustic guitar community for very long you have no doubt heard of scalloped bracing. Brace scalloping is usually a topic…
- Torres Bracing Pattern
  Torres Fan Bracing Diagram Source: Guitar Plans // Ultimate Guitar OnLine on Facebook The Modern Classical Guitar: While there were many forms of…
- Wood Brace Deflection
  Deflection in bracing is similar to the deflection that we experience every day in the floors of our homes and office. You may not be able to see it clearly or…
- Wood Brace Unit Stresses
  Wood braces on a guitar top or back plate act in a similar manner to those wood beams that support the floor of your house or roof. We are just working on a…
Guitar Building Articles (133)
- Adjustable Truss Rod - Neck Preparation
  StewMac Hot Rod Truss Rod Source: Guitar Neck Adjustable Truss Rod - Neck Preparation: Materials and Tools: Hod Rod Adjustable Truss Rod with 4 mm…
- Abalone Purfling
  Abalone Shell Source: Binding & Purfling Abalone Purfling: Abalone strips that are added to a guitar rosette, edge binding, center purfling strip…
- Acoustic Guitar Bridge Clamp
  If you have ever tried to clamp an acoustic guitar bridge with long reach clamps, you know what a hassle it can be to get the clamps set just right, the bridge…
- Acoustic Guitar Heel
  Tools and Materials Required: Heel Restraint Jig Titebond III Glue Waxed Paper (4) Bessey or Large C Clamps Chop Saw or Table Saw Stationary Belt…
- Adjustable Truss Rod - Installation
  StewMac Hot Rod Truss Rod Source: Guitar Neck Adjustable Truss Rod - Installation: Materials and Tools: Hod Rod Adjustable Truss Rod with 4 mm…
- Air-Powered and Electric Sanders
  Makita Random-Orbital Sander Source: Finishing Operations Dry Sanding Techniques: If you are doing a lot of sanding duties, you should possible…
- Back Plate Arch Template
  Guitar Back Arch Template: Getting the arch perfect on an acoustic or classical guitar can be a chore. Use this template for perfect results. Free download for…
- Back Reinforcement Strip
  Gluing The Back Center Strip Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Back The Back Center Reinforcement Strip There are several schools of…
- Basic Finishing Techniques
  Find out about Aerosol Lacquer Spraying, what it entails, why it is a excellent way to get your feet wet the the very difficult guitar finishing operation very…
- Belly Bridge Construction
  The Acoustic Guitar Belly bridge has been a classic since C.F. Martin introduced it on their pre-war Martins in the 1930's. Learn about this bridge and what…
- Bending Herringbone Purfling
  Bending Herringbone Purfling Source:Binding & Purfling Bending Herringbone Purfling: The desire to replicate that Martin D28 with beautiful…
- Binding Channel Touchup
  Binding Channel at the Classical Guitar Heel Source: Guitar Building Articles - Binding & Trim Binding Channel Touchup: Tools and Materials…
- Bolt-on Acoustic Neck
  Bolt-on Acoustic Guitar Neck: We describe the method in which you can build a removable neck for your handmade Acoustic Guitar. We offer free PDF download…
- Bracing the Backplate
  Guitar Back with Bracing Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Back Tools and Materials Required: Go Board Gluing Tool Titebond II or III…
- Bracing the Soundboard
  Guitar Soundboard with Bracing Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Top Tools and Materials Required: Go Board Gluing Tool Titebond III…
- Custom Guitar Inlays - Gluing Inlays
  This article on Custom Guitar Inlays, deals with the proper gluing techniques to fill the routed inlay channels. How to mix the glue and matching filling…
- Cutting Fret Channels
  Learn how to properly cut the fret channels for fretted instruments. The most precise way of cutting these channels is by the use of a fret channel cutting…
- Cutting Guitar Inlays - Part A
  I you are interested in make inlays from mother of pearl or abalone to install in guitar necks, headpieces and more, read this series of articles for tools,…
- Cutting Guitar Inlays - Part B
  I you are interested in make inlays from mother of pearl or abalone to install in guitar necks, headpieces and more, read this second in a series of articles…
- Cutting Guitar Inlays - Part C
  Practicing careful cutting techniques will minimize your cleanup operation on your inlays, which in turn, reduces your chances of breaking these fragile pieces…
- Dovetail Neck Joint
  The dovetail neck joint is the joint of choice with most of the larger factory guitar makers. Most handmade guitars utilize the mortise and tenon joint. If you…
- Dry Sanding Techniques
  Find out about Aerosol Lacquer Spraying, what it entails, why it is a excellent way to get your feet wet the the very difficult guitar finishing operation very…
- Final Guitar Preparation Prior to Finishing
  This article on Final Preparation for your guitar prior to the finishing operation is a critical step that you should not skip or take too lightly. We will…
- Finish Application Methods - Aerosol Sprays
  Find out about Aerosol Lacquer Spraying, what it entails, why it is a excellent way to get your feet wet the the very difficult guitar finishing operation very…
- Finish Scrapers
  Step by Step Guitar Finishing Source: Finishing Operations Scrapers are not only one of the most useful tools you can have when working with raw,…
- Finishing Inlays
  Learn how to properly sand your inlays, polish the fretboard and do the final touch-ups and tune-ups to make the inlay look their best in this article. Also…
- Fitting The Acoustic Guitar Neck
  The care and precision in fitting the acoustic guitar neck to the body cannot be overstated. This is one of the most critical operations you can make in…
- Fitting The Acoustic Top
  Fitting the Acoustic Top: Learn how to expertly fit the most critical of guitar elements without introducing stress to the guitar. We will go through the…
- Fitting The Fretboard
  Getting the fretboard perfectly registered prior to gluing is essential. This step is outlined in this article as to how to install registration pins in the…
- Fitting the Guitar Back
  Tools and Materials Required: Wood Chisels Japanese Pull Saw
- Fitting the Guitar Nut
  Fitting the Guitar Nut is very much of a precision procedure. One little slip, or if you trip just a little too much off the nut and the nut is ruined. Take…
- Fitting Wood Binding
  Dry Fitting Wood Binding/Purfling Source: Binding & Purfling Fitting Wood Binding: Not only do you have to dry fit the wood binding before you glue,…
- Fixed Neck Reinforcement
  Placement of a fixed reinforcement bar in a guitar neck can have many rewarding qualities, but in doing so you need to take certain precautions to give you the…
- Fixed Neck Reinforcement - Installation
  If you want the greatest strength with a fixed reinforcement method in your acoustic guitar neck and don't want the hassle of the adjustable truss rod, follow…
- Free Floating Top - Acoustic
  Tools and materials Required: Japanese Pull Saws Fine Dovetail Saw Wood Chisels Sandpaper 180, 120 Grit Titebond III Glue Wood Lining Blocks Small…
- Fretboard Nut Width
  Guitar Fretboards Source: Guitar Neck Fretboard Nut Width - Acoustic Guitars: The dimension of the guitar fretboard has been an item of popular…
- Fretboard Saddle Width
  Guitar Fretboards Source: Guitar Neck Fretboard Saddle Width - Acoustic Guitars: Actually the title of this article is a bit deceiving. We actually…
- Fretboard Thickness
  Guitar Building Articles Source: Fretboard Thickness Fretboard Thickness: Believe it or not the thickness of the fretboard has quite some…
- Fretboard Wood Species Selection
  Fretboard Wood Species Source: Guitar Fretboard Fretboard Wood Species Selection: Years ago (not that many actually) there were basically only 3…
- Garnet and Aluminum Oxide Sandpapers
  Both Garnet and Aluminum Oxide sandpapers are very useful in guitar building operations. Each has its own listing of pros and cons and should be used for…
- Gluing An Acoustic Guitar Bridge
  Gluing Guitar Bridge Source: Guitar Bridge Gluing a Guitar Bridge: Okay. First things first. Before you glue on the bridge for an acoustic…
- Gluing Inlay Patterns
  One of the essential steps in marking scribing the outline of inlays onto the neck or headpiece of a stringed instrument is to properly and securely glue the…
- Gluing the Guitar Back
  Several alternatives are available to you to clamp a guitar back to the sides. We will discuss them, and how to actually glue the back into place.
- Gluing the Guitar Fretboard
  This article deals in detail with methods with which to glue a guitar fretboard to the guitar neck. Tools and materials are listed as well as necessary steps…
- Gluing the Head Block
  This article takes you through the different steps in properly shaping and gluing a guitar head block for Classical and Acoustic Guitars.
- Gluing the Neck Scarf Joint
  Gluing the Neck Scarf Joint Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck Gluing the Neck Scarf Joint: If you haven't done so already, read the…
- Gluing the Tail Block
  The Head and Tail Blocks Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Sides Tools and Materials Required: Wood Rasps Sanding Sticks 120 Garnet…
- Guitar Back Preparation
  Guitar Top Preparation Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Back Preparation of the Back Plate: Tools and Supplies Needed: 24" Aluminum…
- Guitar Bridge Plate Installation
  Guitar Bridge Plate Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Top The guitar bridge plate is a plate or a thin layer of wood, often a bit thicker…
- Guitar Finishing - Compressed Air Setup
  Finishing a guitar is one of the more difficult tasks, especially for the person who is inexperienced with finishing operations. This article explains the…
- Guitar Fretboard Radius
  StewMac Fretboard Radius Blocks Source: Guitar Fretboard Radius Guitar Fretboard Radius When we talk about a radius on the guitar fretboard, it…
- Guitar Neck - Laminating
  Guitar Wood Laminating Details Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck Building the Neck Part One: Since the neck involves many different…
- Guitar Nut
  The Guitar Nut is one of the most important pieces of our prized instruments. It is either directly responsible or partially responsible for such things as the…
- Guitar Nut Materials
  Guitar Nut Materials are discussed in this article. We will review bone guitar nuts, ivory guitar nuts, tusq, micarta and more. Fine out which one is best for…
- Guitar Rosettes
  Guitar Rosettes Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Top As for classical guitars, about the only ornamentation used in classical guitar construction…
- Guitar Scale Length
  Guitar Fretboards Source: Guitar Scale Length Guitar Scale Length: The actual length of the scale if the measured length between the backside of…
- Guitar Side Bending Methods
  Bending Guitar Sides Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Sides The Art of Bending Guitar Sides This article is intended to act as just an…
- Guitar Side Profile Template
  This template is an invaluable tool to arriving at the exact contour to trim down your guitar sides to accept the arched guitar back and tapered sides. Learn…
- Guitar Side Reinforcement
  Guitar Side Reinforcement. This article discusses cloth, slender wood bracing and bracket type bracing used primarily in Classical Guitar Construction. We…
- Headstock Detailing - Binding Installation
  Stewmac Binding Routing Guide Source: Guitar Plans Headstock Detailing - Binding Installation: It doesn't make much difference if you installing…
- Headstock Detailing Part 1
  Classical Guitar Headstock Detailing Part 1: Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Tools and Materials: Woodworking Marking Knife Plexi…
- Headstock Detailing Part 2
  Headstock Detailing Part 2 - Classical Guitar Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Classical Guitar Headstock Detailing: Tools and…
- Headstock Detailing Part 4
  Slotted Acoustic Guitar Headstock Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Acoustic Guitar Headstock Detailing: Required Tools and…
- Headstock Detailing Plastic Binding Prep
  Headstock Detailing - Plastic Binding Preparation Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Preparing Acoustic Headpiece - Plastic…
- Headstock Detailing Wood Binding Prep
  Headstock Detailing - Wood Binding Preparation Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Preparing Acoustic Headpiece - Wood Binding Req…
- Headstock Veneer
  Gluing the Headstock Veneer Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck Tools and Materials Required: Headpiece Overlay: Usually about…
- Heel Shaping - Classical Guitar
  This article on Shaping the Heel of the Classical Guitar, offers you a couple of different methods to easily cut out the heel, foot and side channels for this…
- How To Cut Perfect Nut String Channels
  Cutting perfect nut channels to receive your guitar strings is one of the more important guitar making tasks we as luthiers are faced with. This article will…
- How to Install Abalone Purfling
  Example Purfling/Binding Configuration Source: Binding & Purfling Tools and Materials Required: Duco Cement Dremel Router Dremel Binding…
- How To Make a Guitar Bridge
  The Belly Bridge, made popular by the C.F. Martin company is one of the best choices you can make in bridge selection for your acoustic guitar. Learn how to…
- How to Make a Moustache Bridge
  How to Make a Gibson Moustache Bridge Source: Guitar Bridge How To Make The Moustache Bridge The bridge is not that terribly difficult to make. Here…
- How to Make Inlay Patterns
  Tips and techniques for layout and design methods for making simple to elaborate mother of pearl or abalone shell inlays in your guitar fretboard or guitar…
- How To Make MOP Position Markers
  If you are interested in lowering the cost of materials for your custom guitars, you should investigate making your own shell inlays for fretboards. This…
- How to Make Wood Binding
  Making Wood Binding Source: Binding and Purfling How to Make Wood Binding: The first step you should make in making your wood binding is to read…
- Installing Acoustic Guitar Linings
  Installing Guitar Linings: If you haven't already done so, be sure to read the articles Types of Guitar Linings and Making Guitar Linings. Installing the…
- Installing Classical Guitar Linings
  Installing Guitar Linings: If you haven't already done so, be sure to read the articles Types of Guitar Linings and Making Guitar Linings. Installing the…
- Installing Fretboard Side Dots
  The side position markers are really very helpful for guitarists fret position information. Learn how to install both plastic and shell position markers in…
- Installing Guitar Back Purfling
  Guitar Back Center Purfling Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Back Classical Guitar Purfling As for the classical guitar, the center…
- Installing Guitar Top Rosettes
  StewMac Router Base Adapter Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Top For information on different types of rosettes that are typically used…
- Installing MOP Position Markers
  Want to install Mother of Pearl or Abalone Shell position dots into your guitar fretboard? This article gives you all the necessary steps to do so along with…
- Lacquer Sanding Sealer
  Learn all about lacquer sanding sealers and why you should consider using one on your next finish job. It seals in bleeding problems, seal out moisture and…
- Laminated Neck & Headstock
  Laminated Acoustic Guitar Neck Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck Laminated Neck and Headstock: If you are going to utilize the…
- Laminated Neck Classical
  Classical Guitar Neck Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck Laminated Neck - Solid Headstock: This type of neck construction is…
- Making a Guitar Belly Bridge
  If you wish to make your own belly bridge from scratch for your new handmade guitar, or are making a replacement bridge or bridge upgrade, this article will…
- Making Guitar Linings
  Photo Courtesy of StewMac Making Guitar Linings Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Sides How to Make Guitar Linings: Although you…
- Making the Acoustic Guitar Bridge Clamp
  If you have ever tried to clamp an acoustic guitar bridge with long reach clamps, you know what a hassle it can be to get the clamps set just right, the bridge…
- Making Your Own Abalone Purfling
  Cut Abalone Shell Source: Binding & Purfling Making Your Own Abalone Purfling: With the high cost of Abalone Strips these days, it makes sense to…
- Martin V-Joint Neck
  C.F. Martin V-Joint Neck Joint Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck Tools and Materials: Band Saw Table Saw 2-Part Epoxy Glue C…
- Mortise & Tenon Neck Joint
  The mortise and tenon joint used as a joint where the guitar neck joins the body of an acoustic guitar is growing in popularity. When used in conjunction with…
- Mother of Pearl Inlays
  In this guitar building article we discuss the merits of installing mother of pearl or abalone in guitar necks, the reasons for doing so and what materials to…
- Neck Wood Selection
  Guitar Back - East Indian Rosewood Source: Guitar Wood Selection Guitar necks offer the luthier many variations of wood species from which to…
- Nitrocellulose Lacquer
  Learn all about nitrocellulose lacquer and why you should consider using it on your next finish job. It has great acoustical qualities, provides a hard,…
- No Load vs Loading Sandpapers
  No-Load vs. Loading Type Sandpapers: Loading or standard load, is a term that is used in the sandpaper industry meaning that the product gets…
- Oil Based Wood Filler
  Learn about Oil Based Wood Fillers, what is good about them and when you should not use them. This is a key ingredient if the production of that elusive mirror…
- Oil Varnish
  Learn all about nitrocellulose lacquer and why you should consider using it on your next finish job. It has great acoustical qualities, provides a hard,…
- Preparing Neck Scarf Joint
  Glued Neck Scarf Joint Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck The Neck Scarf Joint: This is one of the most critical joints that we will…
- Preparing Sides For Back Plate
  Preparation of the Guitar Sides Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Sides Preparing Sides For Back Plate: Depending on the amount of…
- Rough-cut the Neck - Acoustic
  Rough Cutting the Guitar Neck Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Tools and Materials Required: Band Saw Table Saw & Miter Gauge Jap…
- Routing Inlay Channels
  Other than the actual cutting of the shell inlays from the slabs of shell, routing the channels to receive the inlays is the most demanding task in performing…
- Routing the Binding Channels
  StewMac Binding Router Guide Source: Guitar Building Articles - Binding & Trim Routing the Binding Channels: Tools and Materials Required: Dreme…
- Routing the Bottom Inlay
  Getting the Bottom Inlay of your Acoustic Guitar can be somewhat of a challenge. Several tips and techniques are discussed in this article to help you route…
- Sandpaper Grading
  Sandpaper Grading is a method by which we can gage how fast wood or finish materials can be taken down. There are several methods for grading and you can read…
- Scribing Inlays
  Scribing the inlays into the fretboard or other wooden part of the guitar can be a very demanding and tedious process. We will give you fill directions and…
- Shaping The Guitar Neck:
  This article discusses the best tools to use for the shaping process for both the guitar neck and the guitar heel. Also the techniques are discussed in detail…
- Shaping the Guitar Nut
  Shaping the Guitar Nut is a tedious task that if not complete precisely and correctly, you risk having to start all over again with a new guitar nut. Follow…
- Shaping the Guitar Sides
  Guitar Side Template Source: Guitar Plans Shaping the Sides For Back Plate: The diagram above indicates the Guitar Side Template that I made for the…
- Shaping Tone Braces
  Shaping Guitar Braces Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Top Tools & Materials Required: Wood Chisel Set Violin Finger Planes Lie-Nielse…
- Shellac Wash Coat
  Learn all about a shellac wash coat and why you should strongly consider using one on your next finish job. It seals in bleeding problems, seal out moisture…
- Side Bending - Bending Jig
  Ultimate Guitar Side Bender Source: Guitar Building Articles/Guitar Sides Side Bending with The Bending Jig: This is probably the easiest way you…
- Side Bending - Boiling
  Bending Sides by Boiling: Bending your guitar sides by placing them in boiling hot water is a method that has been used for many years. When my father and…
- Side Bending - The Hot Iron
  Use of a Hot Bending Iron Source: Guitar Building Articles/Guitar Sides A hot iron used for bending guitar sides is the most traditional and…
- Silicon Carbide Sandpapers
  Silicone Carbine Sandpaper is usually used for wet sanding a guitar finish prior to buffing, but there are other uses for this great sandpaper as well. Find…
- Solving Side Spring-Back
  Guitar Side Spring Back Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Sides Guitar Side Spring-Back: You will hear me preaching over and over…
- The Guitar Fretboard
  Guitar Fretboards Source: Guitar Neck The Guitar Fretboard: First of all, let's clear one thing up. You will see the terminology fretboard and…
- Types of Guitar Lining
  Photo Courtesy of LMI Types of Guitar Linings Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Sides Types of Guitar Lining: First of all let's…
- Vinyl Wash Coat
  Learn all about a vinyl wash coat and why you should strongly consider using one on your next finish job. They seal in bleeding problems, seal out moisture and…
- Water Based Sanding Sealer
  Learn all about nitrocellulose lacquer and why you should consider using it on your next finish job. It has great acoustical qualities, provides a hard,…
- Wet Sanding Techniques
  Find out about Aerosol Lacquer Spraying, what it entails, why it is a excellent way to get your feet wet the the very difficult guitar finishing operation very…
- Wood Binding
  Which is best to use? Wood or plastic bindings and for what reasons? Discover the history of bindings and which method that may be best for you to use on your…
- Wood Binding Installation
  The wood binding on a classical or acoustic guitar not only protects the edges of the guitar from damage, it acts as a decorative element and kind of a…
- Wood Filler Tinting
  Learn about Tinting Wood Fillers, what is good about them and when you should not use them. This is a key ingredient for getting the most beautiful grain…
- Wood Selection for Binding
  Wood Selection for binding is a very critical design choice for the luthier. The bindings are the signature or trademark of the builder and their correct…
- Wooden Pick Guards
  Installing a wooden pick guard on an acoustic guitar is not that big of a challenge and it adds significantly to the aesthetic value of a guitar. This article…
- Binding & Purfling (13)
  - Abalone Purfling
    Abalone Shell Source: Binding & Purfling Abalone Purfling: Abalone strips that are added to a guitar rosette, edge binding, center purfling strip…
  - Bending Herringbone Purfling
    Bending Herringbone Purfling Source:Binding & Purfling Bending Herringbone Purfling: The desire to replicate that Martin D28 with beautiful…
  - Bending Wood Binding Strips
    Use a Side Bender to Bend Your Wood Bindings Source: Purfling and Bindings Bending Wood Binding Strips: It is essential that you pre-bend your wood…
  - Binding Channel Touchup
    Binding Channel at the Classical Guitar Heel Source: Guitar Building Articles - Binding & Trim Binding Channel Touchup: Tools and Materials…
  - Fitting Wood Binding
    Dry Fitting Wood Binding/Purfling Source: Binding & Purfling Fitting Wood Binding: Not only do you have to dry fit the wood binding before you glue,…
  - How to Install Abalone Purfling
    Example Purfling/Binding Configuration Source: Binding & Purfling Tools and Materials Required: Duco Cement Dremel Router Dremel Binding…
  - How to Make Wood Binding
    Making Wood Binding Source: Binding and Purfling How to Make Wood Binding: The first step you should make in making your wood binding is to read…
  - Making Your Own Abalone Purfling
    Cut Abalone Shell Source: Binding & Purfling Making Your Own Abalone Purfling: With the high cost of Abalone Strips these days, it makes sense to…
  - Routing the Binding Channels
    StewMac Binding Router Guide Source: Guitar Building Articles - Binding & Trim Routing the Binding Channels: Tools and Materials Required: Dreme…
  - Routing the Bottom Inlay
    Getting the Bottom Inlay of your Acoustic Guitar can be somewhat of a challenge. Several tips and techniques are discussed in this article to help you route…
  - Wood Binding
    Which is best to use? Wood or plastic bindings and for what reasons? Discover the history of bindings and which method that may be best for you to use on your…
  - Wood Binding Installation
    The wood binding on a classical or acoustic guitar not only protects the edges of the guitar from damage, it acts as a decorative element and kind of a…
  - Wood Selection for Binding
    Wood Selection for binding is a very critical design choice for the luthier. The bindings are the signature or trademark of the builder and their correct…
- Finishing Operations (21)
  - Air-Powered and Electric Sanders
    Makita Random-Orbital Sander Source: Finishing Operations Dry Sanding Techniques: If you are doing a lot of sanding duties, you should possible…
  - Basic Finishing Techniques
    Find out about Aerosol Lacquer Spraying, what it entails, why it is a excellent way to get your feet wet the the very difficult guitar finishing operation very…
  - Dry Sanding Techniques
    Find out about Aerosol Lacquer Spraying, what it entails, why it is a excellent way to get your feet wet the the very difficult guitar finishing operation very…
  - Final Guitar Preparation Prior to Finishing
    This article on Final Preparation for your guitar prior to the finishing operation is a critical step that you should not skip or take too lightly. We will…
  - Finish Application Methods - Aerosol Sprays
    Find out about Aerosol Lacquer Spraying, what it entails, why it is a excellent way to get your feet wet the the very difficult guitar finishing operation very…
  - Finish Scrapers
    Step by Step Guitar Finishing Source: Finishing Operations Scrapers are not only one of the most useful tools you can have when working with raw,…
  - Garnet and Aluminum Oxide Sandpapers
    Both Garnet and Aluminum Oxide sandpapers are very useful in guitar building operations. Each has its own listing of pros and cons and should be used for…
  - Guitar Finishing - Compressed Air Setup
    Finishing a guitar is one of the more difficult tasks, especially for the person who is inexperienced with finishing operations. This article explains the…
  - Lacquer Sanding Sealer
    Learn all about lacquer sanding sealers and why you should consider using one on your next finish job. It seals in bleeding problems, seal out moisture and…
  - Nitrocellulose Lacquer
    Learn all about nitrocellulose lacquer and why you should consider using it on your next finish job. It has great acoustical qualities, provides a hard,…
  - No Load vs Loading Sandpapers
    No-Load vs. Loading Type Sandpapers: Loading or standard load, is a term that is used in the sandpaper industry meaning that the product gets…
  - Oil Based Wood Filler
    Learn about Oil Based Wood Fillers, what is good about them and when you should not use them. This is a key ingredient if the production of that elusive mirror…
  - Oil Varnish
    Learn all about nitrocellulose lacquer and why you should consider using it on your next finish job. It has great acoustical qualities, provides a hard,…
  - Sandpaper Grading
    Sandpaper Grading is a method by which we can gage how fast wood or finish materials can be taken down. There are several methods for grading and you can read…
  - Setting Up a Spray Booth
    Setting Up a Spray Booth Source: The Guitar Shop Setting Up a Spray Booth If you intend to spray any volatile liquids in your shop, you should…
  - Shellac Wash Coat
    Learn all about a shellac wash coat and why you should strongly consider using one on your next finish job. It seals in bleeding problems, seal out moisture…
  - Silicon Carbide Sandpapers
    Silicone Carbine Sandpaper is usually used for wet sanding a guitar finish prior to buffing, but there are other uses for this great sandpaper as well. Find…
  - Vinyl Wash Coat
    Learn all about a vinyl wash coat and why you should strongly consider using one on your next finish job. They seal in bleeding problems, seal out moisture and…
  - Water Based Sanding Sealer
    Learn all about nitrocellulose lacquer and why you should consider using it on your next finish job. It has great acoustical qualities, provides a hard,…
  - Wet Sanding Techniques
    Find out about Aerosol Lacquer Spraying, what it entails, why it is a excellent way to get your feet wet the the very difficult guitar finishing operation very…
  - Wood Filler Tinting
    Learn about Tinting Wood Fillers, what is good about them and when you should not use them. This is a key ingredient for getting the most beautiful grain…
- Guitar Bridge (11)
  - Acoustic Guitar Bridge Clamp
    If you have ever tried to clamp an acoustic guitar bridge with long reach clamps, you know what a hassle it can be to get the clamps set just right, the bridge…
  - Belly Bridge Construction
    The Acoustic Guitar Belly bridge has been a classic since C.F. Martin introduced it on their pre-war Martins in the 1930's. Learn about this bridge and what…
  - Belly Bridge Construction
    Are you interested in construction your own Belly Bridge for your Acoustic Guitar. This article will give you a preview into the wood required, tool sources…
  - Fretboard Saddle Width
    Guitar Fretboards Source: Guitar Neck Fretboard Saddle Width - Acoustic Guitars: Actually the title of this article is a bit deceiving. We actually…
  - Gluing An Acoustic Guitar Bridge
    Gluing Guitar Bridge Source: Guitar Bridge Gluing a Guitar Bridge: Okay. First things first. Before you glue on the bridge for an acoustic…
  - Guitar Bridge
    Guitar Bridge Source: Guitar Bridge Guitar Bridge: The guitar bridge is one of the most significant parts of the tone producing network on the…
  - How To Make a Guitar Bridge
    The Belly Bridge, made popular by the C.F. Martin company is one of the best choices you can make in bridge selection for your acoustic guitar. Learn how to…
  - How to Make a Moustache Bridge
    How to Make a Gibson Moustache Bridge Source: Guitar Bridge How To Make The Moustache Bridge The bridge is not that terribly difficult to make. Here…
  - Making a Guitar Belly Bridge
    If you wish to make your own belly bridge from scratch for your new handmade guitar, or are making a replacement bridge or bridge upgrade, this article will…
  - Making the Acoustic Guitar Bridge Clamp
    If you have ever tried to clamp an acoustic guitar bridge with long reach clamps, you know what a hassle it can be to get the clamps set just right, the bridge…
  - Saddle Channel Routing Jig
    Saddle Channel Routing Jig Plans - Very detailed plans of a great tool to make life easier when cutting that all-important slot for your saddle in the bridge.…
- Guitar Fretboard (12)
  - Cutting Fret Channels
    Learn how to properly cut the fret channels for fretted instruments. The most precise way of cutting these channels is by the use of a fret channel cutting…
  - Fitting The Fretboard
    Getting the fretboard perfectly registered prior to gluing is essential. This step is outlined in this article as to how to install registration pins in the…
  - Fretboard Nut Width
    Guitar Fretboards Source: Guitar Neck Fretboard Nut Width - Acoustic Guitars: The dimension of the guitar fretboard has been an item of popular…
  - Fretboard Saddle Width
    Guitar Fretboards Source: Guitar Neck Fretboard Saddle Width - Acoustic Guitars: Actually the title of this article is a bit deceiving. We actually…
  - Fretboard Thickness
    Guitar Building Articles Source: Fretboard Thickness Fretboard Thickness: Believe it or not the thickness of the fretboard has quite some…
  - Fretboard Wood Species Selection
    Fretboard Wood Species Source: Guitar Fretboard Fretboard Wood Species Selection: Years ago (not that many actually) there were basically only 3…
  - Gluing the Guitar Fretboard
    This article deals in detail with methods with which to glue a guitar fretboard to the guitar neck. Tools and materials are listed as well as necessary steps…
  - Guitar Fretboard Radius
    StewMac Fretboard Radius Blocks Source: Guitar Fretboard Radius Guitar Fretboard Radius When we talk about a radius on the guitar fretboard, it…
  - Guitar Scale Length
    Guitar Fretboards Source: Guitar Scale Length Guitar Scale Length: The actual length of the scale if the measured length between the backside of…
  - Installing Fretboard Side Dots
    The side position markers are really very helpful for guitarists fret position information. Learn how to install both plastic and shell position markers in…
  - Shaping the Guitar Nut
    Shaping the Guitar Nut is a tedious task that if not complete precisely and correctly, you risk having to start all over again with a new guitar nut. Follow…
  - The Guitar Fretboard
    Guitar Fretboards Source: Guitar Neck The Guitar Fretboard: First of all, let's clear one thing up. You will see the terminology fretboard and…
- Pearl Inlays (14)
  - Custom Guitar Inlays - Gluing Inlays
    This article on Custom Guitar Inlays, deals with the proper gluing techniques to fill the routed inlay channels. How to mix the glue and matching filling…
  - Cutting Guitar Inlays - Part A
    I you are interested in make inlays from mother of pearl or abalone to install in guitar necks, headpieces and more, read this series of articles for tools,…
  - Cutting Guitar Inlays - Part B
    I you are interested in make inlays from mother of pearl or abalone to install in guitar necks, headpieces and more, read this second in a series of articles…
  - Cutting Guitar Inlays - Part C
    Practicing careful cutting techniques will minimize your cleanup operation on your inlays, which in turn, reduces your chances of breaking these fragile pieces…
  - Finishing Inlays
    Learn how to properly sand your inlays, polish the fretboard and do the final touch-ups and tune-ups to make the inlay look their best in this article. Also…
  - Gluing Inlay Patterns
    One of the essential steps in marking scribing the outline of inlays onto the neck or headpiece of a stringed instrument is to properly and securely glue the…
  - How to Make Inlay Patterns
    Tips and techniques for layout and design methods for making simple to elaborate mother of pearl or abalone shell inlays in your guitar fretboard or guitar…
  - How To Make MOP Position Markers
    If you are interested in lowering the cost of materials for your custom guitars, you should investigate making your own shell inlays for fretboards. This…
  - Inlay Cutting Jig
    Inlay Cutting Jig Plans - Very detailed plans of a great tool to make life easier when cutting shell inlays for guitar necks, headstocks and bodies. Immediate…
  - Installing MOP Position Markers
    Want to install Mother of Pearl or Abalone Shell position dots into your guitar fretboard? This article gives you all the necessary steps to do so along with…
  - Mother of Pearl Inlays
    In this guitar building article we discuss the merits of installing mother of pearl or abalone in guitar necks, the reasons for doing so and what materials to…
  - Preparing to Engrave Inlays
    Engraving Mother of Pearl is an old art for that is often used to bring a 3D quality to shell inlays in guitar fretboards and headpieces. By utilizing…
  - Routing Inlay Channels
    Other than the actual cutting of the shell inlays from the slabs of shell, routing the channels to receive the inlays is the most demanding task in performing…
  - Scribing Inlays
    Scribing the inlays into the fretboard or other wooden part of the guitar can be a very demanding and tedious process. We will give you fill directions and…
- The Guitar Back (8)
  - Back Plate Arch Template
    Guitar Back Arch Template: Getting the arch perfect on an acoustic or classical guitar can be a chore. Use this template for perfect results. Free download for…
  - Back Reinforcement Strip
    Gluing The Back Center Strip Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Back The Back Center Reinforcement Strip There are several schools of…
  - Fitting the Guitar Back
    Tools and Materials Required: Wood Chisels Japanese Pull Saw
  - Gluing the Guitar Back
    Several alternatives are available to you to clamp a guitar back to the sides. We will discuss them, and how to actually glue the back into place.
  - Guitar Back Preparation
    Guitar Top Preparation Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Back Preparation of the Back Plate: Tools and Supplies Needed: 24" Aluminum…
  - Guitar Back Selection
    Guitar Back - East Indian Rosewood Source: Guitar Wood Selection Guitar Backs/Side sets offer the luthier even more option that do the guitar top…
  - Guitar Brace Selection
    Guitar Bracing Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Top The Purpose Of Guitar Plate Bracing Bracing for the Top Plate and the Back Plate…
  - Installing Guitar Back Purfling
    Guitar Back Center Purfling Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Back Classical Guitar Purfling As for the classical guitar, the center…
- The Guitar Neck (31)
  - Adjustable Truss Rod - Neck Preparation
    StewMac Hot Rod Truss Rod Source: Guitar Neck Adjustable Truss Rod - Neck Preparation: Materials and Tools: Hod Rod Adjustable Truss Rod with 4 mm…
  - Acoustic Guitar Heel
    Tools and Materials Required: Heel Restraint Jig Titebond III Glue Waxed Paper (4) Bessey or Large C Clamps Chop Saw or Table Saw Stationary Belt…
  - Adjustable Truss Rod - Installation
    StewMac Hot Rod Truss Rod Source: Guitar Neck Adjustable Truss Rod - Installation: Materials and Tools: Hod Rod Adjustable Truss Rod with 4 mm…
  - Bolt-on Acoustic Neck
    Bolt-on Acoustic Guitar Neck: We describe the method in which you can build a removable neck for your handmade Acoustic Guitar. We offer free PDF download…
  - Dovetail Neck Joint
    The dovetail neck joint is the joint of choice with most of the larger factory guitar makers. Most handmade guitars utilize the mortise and tenon joint. If you…
  - Fitting The Acoustic Guitar Neck
    The care and precision in fitting the acoustic guitar neck to the body cannot be overstated. This is one of the most critical operations you can make in…
  - Fitting the Guitar Nut
    Fitting the Guitar Nut is very much of a precision procedure. One little slip, or if you trip just a little too much off the nut and the nut is ruined. Take…
  - Fixed Neck Reinforcement
    Placement of a fixed reinforcement bar in a guitar neck can have many rewarding qualities, but in doing so you need to take certain precautions to give you the…
  - Fixed Neck Reinforcement - Installation
    If you want the greatest strength with a fixed reinforcement method in your acoustic guitar neck and don't want the hassle of the adjustable truss rod, follow…
  - Gluing the Neck Scarf Joint
    Gluing the Neck Scarf Joint Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck Gluing the Neck Scarf Joint: If you haven't done so already, read the…
  - Guitar Neck - Laminating
    Guitar Wood Laminating Details Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck Building the Neck Part One: Since the neck involves many different…
  - Guitar Nut
    The Guitar Nut is one of the most important pieces of our prized instruments. It is either directly responsible or partially responsible for such things as the…
  - Guitar Nut Materials
    Guitar Nut Materials are discussed in this article. We will review bone guitar nuts, ivory guitar nuts, tusq, micarta and more. Fine out which one is best for…
  - Head Block Shelf for Classical Guitar
    Classical Guitar Head Block Shelf Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Tools & Materials Required: Laminate Router: Carbide Router…
  - Headstock Detailing - Binding Installation
    Stewmac Binding Routing Guide Source: Guitar Plans Headstock Detailing - Binding Installation: It doesn't make much difference if you installing…
  - Headstock Detailing Part 1
    Classical Guitar Headstock Detailing Part 1: Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Tools and Materials: Woodworking Marking Knife Plexi…
  - Headstock Detailing Part 2
    Headstock Detailing Part 2 - Classical Guitar Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Classical Guitar Headstock Detailing: Tools and…
  - Headstock Detailing Part 4
    Slotted Acoustic Guitar Headstock Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Acoustic Guitar Headstock Detailing: Required Tools and…
  - Headstock Detailing Plastic Binding Prep
    Headstock Detailing - Plastic Binding Preparation Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Preparing Acoustic Headpiece - Plastic…
  - Headstock Detailing Wood Binding Prep
    Headstock Detailing - Wood Binding Preparation Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Preparing Acoustic Headpiece - Wood Binding Req…
  - Headstock Veneer
    Gluing the Headstock Veneer Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck Tools and Materials Required: Headpiece Overlay: Usually about…
  - Heel Shaping - Classical Guitar
    This article on Shaping the Heel of the Classical Guitar, offers you a couple of different methods to easily cut out the heel, foot and side channels for this…
  - How To Cut Perfect Nut String Channels
    Cutting perfect nut channels to receive your guitar strings is one of the more important guitar making tasks we as luthiers are faced with. This article will…
  - Laminated Neck & Headstock
    Laminated Acoustic Guitar Neck Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck Laminated Neck and Headstock: If you are going to utilize the…
  - Laminated Neck Classical
    Classical Guitar Neck Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck Laminated Neck - Solid Headstock: This type of neck construction is…
  - Martin V-Joint Neck
    C.F. Martin V-Joint Neck Joint Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck Tools and Materials: Band Saw Table Saw 2-Part Epoxy Glue C…
  - Mortise & Tenon Neck Joint
    The mortise and tenon joint used as a joint where the guitar neck joins the body of an acoustic guitar is growing in popularity. When used in conjunction with…
  - Neck Wood Selection
    Guitar Back - East Indian Rosewood Source: Guitar Wood Selection Guitar necks offer the luthier many variations of wood species from which to…
  - Preparing Neck Scarf Joint
    Glued Neck Scarf Joint Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck The Neck Scarf Joint: This is one of the most critical joints that we will…
  - Rough-cut the Neck - Acoustic
    Rough Cutting the Guitar Neck Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Tools and Materials Required: Band Saw Table Saw & Miter Gauge Jap…
  - Shaping The Guitar Neck:
    This article discusses the best tools to use for the shaping process for both the guitar neck and the guitar heel. Also the techniques are discussed in detail…
- The Guitar Sides (19)
  - Fitting The Acoustic Top
    Fitting the Acoustic Top: Learn how to expertly fit the most critical of guitar elements without introducing stress to the guitar. We will go through the…
  - Fitting the Guitar Back
    Tools and Materials Required: Wood Chisels Japanese Pull Saw
  - Free Floating Top - Acoustic
    Tools and materials Required: Japanese Pull Saws Fine Dovetail Saw Wood Chisels Sandpaper 180, 120 Grit Titebond III Glue Wood Lining Blocks Small…
  - Gluing the Guitar Back
    Several alternatives are available to you to clamp a guitar back to the sides. We will discuss them, and how to actually glue the back into place.
  - Gluing the Head Block
    This article takes you through the different steps in properly shaping and gluing a guitar head block for Classical and Acoustic Guitars.
  - Gluing the Tail Block
    The Head and Tail Blocks Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Sides Tools and Materials Required: Wood Rasps Sanding Sticks 120 Garnet…
  - Guitar Side Bending Methods
    Bending Guitar Sides Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Sides The Art of Bending Guitar Sides This article is intended to act as just an…
  - Guitar Side Profile Template
    This template is an invaluable tool to arriving at the exact contour to trim down your guitar sides to accept the arched guitar back and tapered sides. Learn…
  - Guitar Side Reinforcement
    Guitar Side Reinforcement. This article discusses cloth, slender wood bracing and bracket type bracing used primarily in Classical Guitar Construction. We…
  - Installing Acoustic Guitar Linings
    Installing Guitar Linings: If you haven't already done so, be sure to read the articles Types of Guitar Linings and Making Guitar Linings. Installing the…
  - Installing Classical Guitar Linings
    Installing Guitar Linings: If you haven't already done so, be sure to read the articles Types of Guitar Linings and Making Guitar Linings. Installing the…
  - Making Guitar Linings
    Photo Courtesy of StewMac Making Guitar Linings Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Sides How to Make Guitar Linings: Although you…
  - Preparing Sides For Back Plate
    Preparation of the Guitar Sides Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Sides Preparing Sides For Back Plate: Depending on the amount of…
  - Shaping the Guitar Sides
    Guitar Side Template Source: Guitar Plans Shaping the Sides For Back Plate: The diagram above indicates the Guitar Side Template that I made for the…
  - Side Bending - Bending Jig
    Ultimate Guitar Side Bender Source: Guitar Building Articles/Guitar Sides Side Bending with The Bending Jig: This is probably the easiest way you…
  - Side Bending - Boiling
    Bending Sides by Boiling: Bending your guitar sides by placing them in boiling hot water is a method that has been used for many years. When my father and…
  - Side Bending - The Hot Iron
    Use of a Hot Bending Iron Source: Guitar Building Articles/Guitar Sides A hot iron used for bending guitar sides is the most traditional and…
  - Solving Side Spring-Back
    Guitar Side Spring Back Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Sides Guitar Side Spring-Back: You will hear me preaching over and over…
  - Types of Guitar Lining
    Photo Courtesy of LMI Types of Guitar Linings Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Sides Types of Guitar Lining: First of all let's…
- The Guitar Top (10)
  - Bracing the Backplate
    Guitar Back with Bracing Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Back Tools and Materials Required: Go Board Gluing Tool Titebond II or III…
  - Bracing the Soundboard
    Guitar Soundboard with Bracing Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Top Tools and Materials Required: Go Board Gluing Tool Titebond III…
  - Fitting The Acoustic Top
    Fitting the Acoustic Top: Learn how to expertly fit the most critical of guitar elements without introducing stress to the guitar. We will go through the…
  - Free Floating Top - Acoustic
    Tools and materials Required: Japanese Pull Saws Fine Dovetail Saw Wood Chisels Sandpaper 180, 120 Grit Titebond III Glue Wood Lining Blocks Small…
  - Guitar Brace Selection
    Guitar Bracing Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Top The Purpose Of Guitar Plate Bracing Bracing for the Top Plate and the Back Plate…
  - Guitar Bridge Plate Installation
    Guitar Bridge Plate Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Top The guitar bridge plate is a plate or a thin layer of wood, often a bit thicker…
  - Guitar Rosettes
    Guitar Rosettes Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Top As for classical guitars, about the only ornamentation used in classical guitar construction…
  - Installing Guitar Top Rosettes
    StewMac Router Base Adapter Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Top For information on different types of rosettes that are typically used…
  - Shaping Tone Braces
    Shaping Guitar Braces Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Top Tools & Materials Required: Wood Chisel Set Violin Finger Planes Lie-Nielse…
  - Wooden Pick Guards
    Installing a wooden pick guard on an acoustic guitar is not that big of a challenge and it adds significantly to the aesthetic value of a guitar. This article…
Guitar Building Plans (32)
Here we cover the different guitar plans available to the first time or seasoned luthier.
- 0-28VS 12 Fret Guitar Plans
  Just click the Paypal button to go to our secure server to place your order in our shopping cart. Also check out our Side Bender Jig and lots of other…
- 00-28VS 12 Fret Guitar Plans
  Just click the Paypal button to go to our secure server to place your order in our shopping cart. Also check out our Heated Side Bender Jig and lots of…
- 000 Concert Guitar Plans
  Guitar Building Plans-Detailed Guitar building instructions available for 000 Concert Acoustic Guitar. Great prices for these detailed plans. Includes 5 Very…
- 000-28VS Concert Guitar Plans
  Just click the Paypal button to go to our secure server to place your order in our shopping cart. Also check out our Side Bender Jig and lots of other…
- Acoustic Guitar Bracing
  Dreadnought Guitar Diagram Source: Guitar Plans While the classical guitar has a lot more variety in bracing patterns than does the acoustic guitar,…
- Build Your Own Guitar - Are You Up To The Task?
  If you decide to build your own guitar, you are undertaking quite a project. This article will help you cope with some of the experience questions, tools and…
- Classical Guitar Plans - Bouchet
  Classical Guitars with the Robert Bouchet style of fan bracing exhibit exceptional sustain and volume as compared to the other choices in fan bracing. We have…
- Classical Guitar Plans - Kasha
  Guitar Building Plans-Detailed Guitar building instructions available for Kasha Braced Classical Guitar. Great prices for these detailed plans. Includes 5 Very…
- Classical Guitar Plans - Torres
  Just click the Paypal button to go to our secure server to place your order in our shopping cart. Also check out our Side Bender Jig and lots of other…
- Classical Guitar Plans-Ramirez
  Just click the Paypal button to go to our secure server to place your order in our shopping cart. Also check out our Side Bender Jig and lots of other…
- Dreadnought 12-String Guitar Plans
  Just click the Paypal button to go to our secure server to place your order in our shopping cart. Also check out our Heated Side Bender Jig and lots of…
- Dreadnought Guitar Plans
  Just click the Paypal button to go to our secure server to place your order in our shopping cart. Also check out our Side Bender Jig and lots of other…
- Fret Miter Box Jig
  Cutting fret channels is one of the most intensive and detailed project you can do on a guitar. If just one fret is off by a fraction of a mm, you risk winding…
- Gibson Moustache Bridge
  Gibson Moustache Bridge Source: Guitar Building Plans The Gibson Moustache Bridge: The original Gibson Moustache is quite a classic design in the…
- Grand Auditorium 12 Guitar Plans
  Just click the Paypal button to go to our secure server to place your order in our shopping cart. Also check out our Side Bender Jig and lots of other…
- Grand Auditorium Guitar Plans
  Just click the Paypal button to go to our secure server to place your order in our shopping cart. Also check out our Side Bender Jig and lots of other…
- GS Symphony Guitar Plans
  Just click the Paypal button to go to our secure server to place your order in our shopping cart. Also check out our Side Bender Jig and lots of…
- Guitar Building Plans
  Guitar Building Plans: The importance of having a great set of guitar building plans cannot be emphasized enough. Visualize your guitar plan as the road map,…
- Guitar Inside Form Plans
  The Inside Form: I have had several requests for plans of the inside forms that I use to build guitars. Therefore, I have decided to roll out these plans…
- Guitar Plans
  If you are interested in building your own custom guitar, the best place to start is with a great set of guitar plans that is detailed, shows you all the…
- Guitar Templates
  Guitar Templates: I have just finished publishing all of our Guitar Templates for the Ultimate Guitar Building plans. If you plan to make more than just…
- Guitar Templates - How To Make Your Templates
  Guitar Templates - You will want to make your guitar templates permanent and accurate. Learn which materials to consider for this invaluable tool and how to…
- HD-28VS Dreadnought Guitar Plans
  Just click the Paypal button to go to our secure server to place your order in our shopping cart. Also check out our Side Bender Jig and lots of other…
- J45 Acoustic Guitar Plans
  Just click the Paypal button to go to our secure server to place your order in our shopping cart. Also check out our Side Bender Jig and lots of other…
- Jumbo 12 Acoustic Guitar Plans
  The Jumbo Guitar, based on the Gibson J200 and also the Taylor JM is one of the biggest guitar bodies available today. Enjoy the big voice of the Jumbo in a 12…
- Jumbo Acoustic Guitar Plans
  Jumbo Acoustic Guitar Plans: Have you ever wondered how to build a guitar. Well we have the answer as to how you can make your own guitar. If you are on…
- Kasha/Schneider Bracing
  Kasha/Schneider Fan Bracing Diagram Source: Guitar Plans The Post Modern Classical Guitar - The Kasha/Schneider Bracing: So for a long time many…
- Ramirez Bracing Pattern
  Ramirez Fan Bracing Diagram Source: Guitar Plans // Ultimate Guitar OnLine on Facebook The Modern Classical Guitar - The Ramirez Brothers: After…
- Side Bending - Boiling
  Bending Sides by Boiling: Bending your guitar sides by placing them in boiling hot water is a method that has been used for many years. When my father and…
- Torres Bracing Pattern
  Torres Fan Bracing Diagram Source: Guitar Plans // Ultimate Guitar OnLine on Facebook The Modern Classical Guitar: While there were many forms of…
- Ultimate Guitar Building Intro
  Guitar Building Outside Mold Source: Guitar Jigs & Molds // Ultimate Guitar OnLine on Facebook Ultimate Guitar Building. The information source…
- Unheated Side Bending Jig
  Discover the ease of bending your guitar sides by making your own simple bending jig with our Unheated Guitar Building Side Bender. If you decide to later add…
Guitar Making Tips (7)
- Gluing Tips
  5-Minute Epoxy Source: Tools & Materials Believe it or not there are some definite tricks to gluing parts of the guitar correctly. If you get too…
- Guitar Kits
  Guitar Kits are becoming quite sophisticated over the past several years. It is a great way for a budding luthier to get their feet wet without full immersion…
- Making Your Own Bone Nuts and Saddles
  Make Your Own Bone Nuts & Saddles Source: Tools & Materials Making Your Own Bone Nuts and Saddles: Years back, when by father started making and…
- Resawing Guitar Tonewood
  Woodslicer Bandsaw Blade from Highland Hardware. Give yourself a break and use this great bandsaw blade. If you decide to get serious about guitar…
- The Alternative to Gaged Nut Files
  If you are reluctant to purchase expensive nut files for your guitar string channels, there is an alternative to these files. Read this article and get…
- The Great Bridge Pin Debate
  A lot of guitarists and luthiers alike enjoy arguing about such things as to the importance of bridge pins used on a guitar and whether or not wooden pins…
- Wood Dent Removal
  Wood Dent Removal Source: Guitar Making Tips It WILL happen. You treated it with care for many hours of your time, just when you least expect it you…
Guitar Wood Selection (10)
This very important category will cover top tonewood, back/side sets, neck wood, bracing and lots more.
- Guitar Back Selection
  Guitar Back - East Indian Rosewood Source: Guitar Wood Selection Guitar Backs/Side sets offer the luthier even more option that do the guitar top…
- Guitar Supplier Links
  Guitar Wood Supplier Links Source: Guitar Wood Selection We have put together a rather comprehensive listing of guitar wood suppliers. Some of…
- Guitar Tonewood Grading
  Guitar Tonewood Grading - Tops Source: Guitar Wood Selection As you will find out there are a lot of terms connected with wood, especially…
- Guitar Top Analysis
  Guitar Top Analysis Source:Guitar Wood Selection. What To Look For In A Great Guitar Top: Alright, let's move on the the analysis of a good…
- Guitar Top Preparation
  Photo Courtesy of LMI Guitar Top Preparation Source: Guitar Wood Selection Preparation of the Soundboard: Tools and Supplies Needed: 24"…
- Guitar Top Selection
  Different wood species definitely influence the tone and volume of a guitar, whether that be an acoustic guitar or a classical guitar. For the purposes of…
- Luthier Materials
  Truss Rod Adjustment: Source: Guitar Neck Repairs Luthier Materials - Just What Are They? Well to begin with, a luthier is defined as a person…
- Resawing Guitar Tonewood
  Woodslicer Bandsaw Blade from Highland Hardware. Give yourself a break and use this great bandsaw blade. If you decide to get serious about guitar…
- Tonewood for Guitar Tops
  Selection of the guitar top plate tonewood is one of the most important steps you can make in the wood selection process. The top is the most influential piece…
- Wood Products
  Wood Product Luthier Material Suppliers: Wood products are the life blood of the guitar building industry. Perhaps the most important piece in this puzzle…
Introduction (3)
- Build Your Own Guitar - Are You Up To The Task?
  If you decide to build your own guitar, you are undertaking quite a project. This article will help you cope with some of the experience questions, tools and…
- Guitar Plans
  If you are interested in building your own custom guitar, the best place to start is with a great set of guitar plans that is detailed, shows you all the…
- Ultimate Guitar Building Intro
  Guitar Building Outside Mold Source: Guitar Jigs & Molds // Ultimate Guitar OnLine on Facebook Ultimate Guitar Building. The information source…
The Guitar Shop (8)
We will cover things specifically related to the workings of the guitar shop, from working environment to wood storage, tool setups and much more.
- Bandsaw Re-saw Fence Jig
  Bandsaw Re-saw Fence Jigs - Very detailed plans of a great tool to make life easier when re-sawing you own wood for top and back plates. The jig allows easy…
- Bandsaw Setup
  Intent on re-sawing your own top and back plates from exotic lumber? Then this article is a must read for you . We show you how to properly set blade tension,…
- How to Re-saw Guitar Wood
  Re-sawing your own guitar wood on a bandsaw can be a bit tricky if your saw and fence are not setup perfectly. We will take you through the process step by…
- Setting Up a Spray Booth
  Setting Up a Spray Booth Source: The Guitar Shop Setting Up a Spray Booth If you intend to spray any volatile liquids in your shop, you should…
- Shop Humidity
  Great Hydrometer Source: Guitar Plans We really cannot have a discussion about making guitars without talking about the careful control of humidity…
- Table Saw Setup
  The Table Saw can be one of the most dangerous tools in the wood shop, especially if it is not set up correctly. Wood can kick back, splinter and become…
- Table Saw Tips
  The table saw is the work horse of the wood shop. It is also one of the most dangerous. We have here several tips that will help you complete you table saw…
- The Search For Instrument Quality Wood
  You can get a lot of satisfaction and reward from searching for and re-sawing your own instrument quality wood. You can often save up to 70% by doing this, and…
The Plan Shop (7)
The Plan Shop is your one stop shopping page for all of our guitar plans. We feature many different models for acoustic and classical guitars. We also feature…
- Classical Guitar Plans - Bouchet
  Classical Guitars with the Robert Bouchet style of fan bracing exhibit exceptional sustain and volume as compared to the other choices in fan bracing. We have…
- Cutaway Attachment for Bender Jig
  If you have our Heated Side Bender Jig, you will want to add this attachment so you can have the option of making those great cutaways that you see on so may…
- How to Make the Heated Bending Jig
  Ultimate Guitar Heated Side Bender Source: Guitar Building Articles/Guitar Sides How to Make The Bending Jig: Making the Heated Side Bender Jig…
- Kerfing Cutting Jig:
  If you are tired of the monotonous chore of making kerfing cuts in your guitar lining, that this jig is for you. Get consistent spacing, easily and consistently…
- Side Bending - Boiling
  Bending Sides by Boiling: Bending your guitar sides by placing them in boiling hot water is a method that has been used for many years. When my father and…
- Side Bending Jig
  Fox Side Bending Jig from LMI Source: Tools & Materials The Side Bending Jig is probably one of the best tools to advance efficient guitar building…
- Using The Saddle Channel Routing Jig
  Our Saddle Channel Routing Jig will give you the accuracy and versatility that you need to cut your saddle channel with confidence. This article gives you all…
Tools & Materials (57)
General purpose tools, tools specific to guitar construction and materials and where you can obtain them. We will also cover the different jigs, molds and…
- 20 Inch Scroll Saw
  "DeWalt DW788PK 20-inch Scroll Saw Source:Tools and Materials Scroll Saws: While not one of the tools of first priority, the scroll saw is fast…
- Band Saws
  Band Saws: Find out which is the best for guitar making operations. Review includes features, likes and dislikes Powermatic, Delta, Grizzly, and Jet. Find out…
- Bandsaw Re-saw Fence Jig
  Bandsaw Re-saw Fence Jigs - Very detailed plans of a great tool to make life easier when re-sawing you own wood for top and back plates. The jig allows easy…
- Bandsaw Setup
  Intent on re-sawing your own top and back plates from exotic lumber? Then this article is a must read for you . We show you how to properly set blade tension,…
- Clamps and More Clamps
  Guitar Making Clamps Source: Tools and Materials Luthiers And Their Clamps: Luthiers can never have enough clamps. That's almost like saying…
- Clothes Pin Clamps
  Clothes Pin Clamps Source: Tools and Materials Clothes Pin Clamps I feel just a bit silly about writing an article just on these little Clothes…
- Cutaway Attachment for Bender Jig
  If you have our Heated Side Bender Jig, you will want to add this attachment so you can have the option of making those great cutaways that you see on so may…
- Dremel Rotary Tool
  Dremel 4000-3/34 Rotary Tool Source: Tools and Materials The Dremel Rotary Tool - An Incredible Guitar Tool! Where would I be without my Dremel?…
- Drill Presses
  Drill Presses for Guitar Building: Find out which is the best for guitar making operations. Review includes features, likes and dislikes. Review includes…
- Drum Sanders
  JET 22-44 PRO 22-Inch Drum Sander Source:Tools and Materials Stationary Drum Sanders: Another of my very favorite tools is the
- Dust Collectors
  Powermatic 1791076BK Model PM1900 Dust Collector Source:Tools and Materials Dust Collectors: One of the Dust Collectors that I like the best is…
- Fret Miter Box Jig
  Cutting fret channels is one of the most intensive and detailed project you can do on a guitar. If just one fret is off by a fraction of a mm, you risk winding…
- Gluing Tips
  5-Minute Epoxy Source: Tools & Materials Believe it or not there are some definite tricks to gluing parts of the guitar correctly. If you get too…
- Go Board Arch Mold
  Go Board Arch Mold Source: Tools & Materials Go Board Arch Mold: If you use a Go-Board Gluing Tool (and you should), I would advise that you…
- Go Board Tool
  Go Board Clamping Tool Jig One of the guitar specialty tools you should have to do without. Have you ever heard of a "Go-Board"? That is the slang…
- Guitar Assembly Workboard
  Guitar Assembly Workboard in-Process Source: Tools and Materials Tools and Materials Required: 3/4" Cabinet Grade Baltic Birch Plywood Guitar…
- Guitar Buffing Arbor
  I never realized how easy buffing a guitar to a high gloss finish could be before using this great Buffing Arbor Kit from StewMac. It gives you exactly the…
- Guitar Building Handtools
  Guitar Building Handtools Source: Guitar Building Tools One of the first things that comes to mind from first time guitar makers is,what are the…
- Guitar Building Safety
  Rules To Live By In The Guitar Shop: If you are building your first guitar, you should have a basic knowledge of woodworking tools, their function,…
- Guitar Inside Form
  The Inside Form Source: Tools and Materials Inside Guitar Form: The inside guitar form is one of the most-used jigs you will have in your shop.…
- Guitar Inside Form Plans
  The Inside Form: I have had several requests for plans of the inside forms that I use to build guitars. Therefore, I have decided to roll out these plans…
- Guitar Kits
  Guitar Kits are becoming quite sophisticated over the past several years. It is a great way for a budding luthier to get their feet wet without full immersion…
- Guitar Making Materials
  Guitar Making Materials Source: Guitar Building Tools & Materials Just as in our section on Guitar Building Tools, this section on Guitar Making…
- Guitar Plate Jointing Jig
  Guitar Plate Joining Jig Guitar Plate Jointing Jig Source: Guitar Tools & Materials The Guitar Plate Jointing Jig is a relatively simple jig to…
- Guitar Supplier Links
  Guitar Wood Supplier Links Source: Guitar Wood Selection We have put together a rather comprehensive listing of guitar wood suppliers. Some of…
- Guitar Templates
  Guitar Templates: I have just finished publishing all of our Guitar Templates for the Ultimate Guitar Building plans. If you plan to make more than just…
- Guitar Templates - How To Make Your Templates
  Guitar Templates - You will want to make your guitar templates permanent and accurate. Learn which materials to consider for this invaluable tool and how to…
- Headstock Detailing Part 3
  Headstock Detailing Part 3 - Classical Guitar Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Classical Guitar Headstock Detailing - Part 3: Requi…
- How to Make the Heated Bending Jig
  Ultimate Guitar Heated Side Bender Source: Guitar Building Articles/Guitar Sides How to Make The Bending Jig: Making the Heated Side Bender Jig…
- How to Re-saw Guitar Wood
  Re-sawing your own guitar wood on a bandsaw can be a bit tricky if your saw and fence are not setup perfectly. We will take you through the process step by…
- How to Sharpen Chisels
  It is a well known fact that you can hurt yourself much easier with a dull tool vs. a sharp one. This chisel honing guide takes through the process of truing…
- Inlay Cutting Jig
  Inlay Cutting Jig Plans - Very detailed plans of a great tool to make life easier when cutting shell inlays for guitar necks, headstocks and bodies. Immediate…
- Japanese Pull Saws
  Japanese Pull Saws Source: Tools and Materials Japanese Pull Saws: If you don't have any experience with these saws, then you better take note…
- Kerfing Cutting Jig:
  If you are tired of the monotonous chore of making kerfing cuts in your guitar lining, that this jig is for you. Get consistent spacing, easily and consistently…
- Luthier Materials
  Truss Rod Adjustment: Source: Guitar Neck Repairs Luthier Materials - Just What Are They? Well to begin with, a luthier is defined as a person…
- Making the Acoustic Guitar Bridge Clamp
  If you have ever tried to clamp an acoustic guitar bridge with long reach clamps, you know what a hassle it can be to get the clamps set just right, the bridge…
- Making Your Own Bone Nuts and Saddles
  Make Your Own Bone Nuts & Saddles Source: Tools & Materials Making Your Own Bone Nuts and Saddles: Years back, when by father started making and…
- My Favorite Stationary Tools
  DELTA 31-300 6-Inch/12-Inch 1-1/2 Horsepower Open Stand Belt/Disc Sander Source: Guitar Tools and Materials My Favorite Stationary Power Tools: Eve…
- Power Tool Substitutions
  Lie-Nielson Low Angle Block Plane Source: Tools & Materials Headstock Detailing Part 4: In this article I want to focus on those of you who may…
- Saddle Channel Routing Jig
  Saddle Channel Routing Jig Plans - Very detailed plans of a great tool to make life easier when cutting that all-important slot for your saddle in the bridge.…
- Side Bending Jig
  Fox Side Bending Jig from LMI Source: Tools & Materials The Side Bending Jig is probably one of the best tools to advance efficient guitar building…
- Side Spreader Jacks
  Not all luthiers utilize these handy jacks as they are used to hold the pre-bent guitar sides tight against an inside form. I do use the inside form and…
- Stationary Belt Sander Fence
  Stationary Belt Sander Fence Source: Tools and Materials Stationary Belt Sander Fence: If you own or plan to buy a Stationary Belt Sander, one…
- Stationary Belt Sanders
  DELTA 31-300 6-Inch/12-Inch 1-1/2 Horsepower Open Stand Belt/Disc Sander Source:Tools and Materials Stationary Belt Sanders: OK this is my baby, I…
- Surface Planers
  Powermatic 15S Planer Source:Tools and Materials Surface Planers: One of the Surface Planers that I like the best is the
- Surface Sanders - Part 1
  Surface Sanders Make Your Own Source: Tools and Materials Make Own Surface Sanders: Sanding sticks and Surface Sanders are some of the simplest…
- Surface Sanders Part 2
  Sanding Stick for Detail Sanding Source: Tools & Materials Sanding Sticks: We really can't finish the discussion of surface sanders without touching…
- Table Saw Setup
  The Table Saw can be one of the most dangerous tools in the wood shop, especially if it is not set up correctly. Wood can kick back, splinter and become…
- Table Saw Tips
  The table saw is the work horse of the wood shop. It is also one of the most dangerous. We have here several tips that will help you complete you table saw…
- Table Saws
  Powermatic PM200 10" Table Saw Source:Tools and Materials Table Saws: One of the Table Saws that I like the best is the Powermatic PM 2000 10"…
- The Alternative to Gaged Nut Files
  If you are reluctant to purchase expensive nut files for your guitar string channels, there is an alternative to these files. Read this article and get…
- The Search For Instrument Quality Wood
  You can get a lot of satisfaction and reward from searching for and re-sawing your own instrument quality wood. You can often save up to 70% by doing this, and…
- Tonewood for Guitar Tops
  Selection of the guitar top plate tonewood is one of the most important steps you can make in the wood selection process. The top is the most influential piece…
- Using a Scraper
  You will really get some payback by taking some time to master the use of a cabinet scraper. They are simply various shapes of harden sheet steel with a…
- Using The Saddle Channel Routing Jig
  Our Saddle Channel Routing Jig will give you the accuracy and versatility that you need to cut your saddle channel with confidence. This article gives you all…
- Violin Finger Planes
  Looking for one of the best kept secrets in guitar building? It's the violin finger planes. They have razor-sharp blades, have either rounded soles or straight…
- Wood Products
  Wood Product Luthier Material Suppliers: Wood products are the life blood of the guitar building industry. Perhaps the most important piece in this puzzle…
Wood Preparation (3)
Find out how to resaw your own wood, prepare all the wood parts for your guitar and sources to find the wood.
- Shop Humidity
  Great Hydrometer Source: Guitar Plans We really cannot have a discussion about making guitars without talking about the careful control of humidity…
- The Search For Instrument Quality Wood
  You can get a lot of satisfaction and reward from searching for and re-sawing your own instrument quality wood. You can often save up to 70% by doing this, and…
- Thickness Sand Guitar Plates
  Thickness Sand or Plane Your Guitar Plates Source: Wood Preparation One of the harder operations in guitar making is getting the top plate and…

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