Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
Articles
- General Information (3)
General Information about guitar building including, history, theory, resources etc.
- 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'…
- 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…
- Glossary of Luthier Terms
- 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 FB.init("f8a38108380f5411cd4d388b689d73b2");Ultimate Guitar OnLine on Facebook The Post…
- Ramirez Bracing Pattern
Ramirez Fan Bracing Diagram Source: Guitar Plans FB.init("f8a38108380f5411cd4d388b689d73b2");Ultimate Guitar OnLine on Facebook The Modern…
- Scalloped Bracing
Scalloped Bracing Does it really improve you tone? If you have been around the acoustic guitar community for very long you have no doubt heard of…
- Torres Bracing Pattern
Torres Fan Bracing Diagram Source: Guitar Plans FB.init("f8a38108380f5411cd4d388b689d73b2");Ultimate Guitar OnLine on Facebook The Modern…
- 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…
- Brace Strength Analysis
- Guitar Building Articles (91)
- Adjustable Truss Rod - Neck Preparation
Adjustable Truss Rod - Neck Preparation Source: Guitar Neck Adjustable Truss Rod - Neck Preparation: Materials and Tools: Hod Rod Adjustable Truss Rod…
- Abalone Purfling
Abalone Shell Source: Binding & Purfling Abalone Purfling: Abalone strips that are added to a guitar rosette, edge binding, center purfling strip or…
- Acoustic Guitar Heel
Acoustic Guitar Heel Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Tools and Materials Required: Heel Restraint Jig Titebond III Glue Waxed…
- Adjustable Truss Rod - Installation
Adjustable Truss Rod - Installation Source: Guitar Neck Adjustable Truss Rod - Installation: Materials and Tools: Hod Rod Adjustable Truss Rod…
- 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…
- Bending Herringbone Purfling
Bending Herringbone Purfling Source:Binding & Purfling Bending Herringbone Purfling: The desire to replicate that Martin D28 with beautiful herringbone…
- 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 II or…
- 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…
- 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
Fitting the Guitar Back Source: Guitar Building Articles - Guitar Sides Tools and Materials Required: Wood Chisels Japanese Pull Saw
- 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
Gluing a Free Floating Top - Acoustic Guitar Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Top - The Guitar Sides Tools and materials Required: Jap…
- 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 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" Metal…
- 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 Fretboard Radius
Guitar Fretboards Source: Guitar Fretboard Radius Guitar Fretboard Radius When we talk about a radius on the guitar fretboard, it pertains only…
- 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 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 Plexigl…
- 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
Preparing and Gluing the Headstock Veneer: Gluing the Headstock Veneer Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck Tools and Materials…
- 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 Install Abalone Purfling
Example Purfling/Binding Configuration Source: Binding & Purfling Tools and Materials Required: Duco Cement Dremel Router Dremel Binding Cutter Dr…
- 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
Install Acoustic Guitar Linings Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Sides Installing Guitar Linings: If you haven't already done so, be…
- Installing Classical Guitar Linings
Installing Classical Guitar Linings Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Sides Installing Guitar Linings: If you haven't already done so,…
- 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
Router Base Adapter Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Top For information on different types of rosettes that are typically used with…
- 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…
- 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
Making Guitar Linings Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Sides How to Make Guitar Linings: Although you can purchase guitar lining…
- 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 at…
- 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…
- 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 the Binding Channels
Binding Router Guide Source: Guitar Building Articles - Binding & Trim Routing the Binding Channels: Tools and Materials Required: Dremel…
- 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…
- 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 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: 1/2" Chisel Violin Finger Planes Small Block…
- 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…
- Side Bending - Boiling
Everett Side Bender Source: Guitar Building Articles/Guitar Sides Bending Sides by Boiling: Bending your guitar sides by placing them in boiling…
- 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…
- 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
Types of Guitar Linings Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Sides Types of Guitar Lining: First of all let's clear up the terminology…
- 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…
- 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 or…
- Bending Herringbone Purfling
Bending Herringbone Purfling Source:Binding & Purfling Bending Herringbone Purfling: The desire to replicate that Martin D28 with beautiful herringbone…
- Bending Wood Binding Strips
Bending the Binding Strips Source: Purfling and Bindings Bending Wood Binding Strips: It is essential that you pre-bend your wood binding strips to…
- 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 Cutter Dr…
- 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 at…
- Routing the Binding Channels
Binding Router Guide Source: Guitar Building Articles - Binding & Trim Routing the Binding Channels: Tools and Materials Required: Dremel…
- 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…
- Abalone Purfling
- Guitar Bridge (4)
- 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…
- 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…
- 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.…
- Fretboard Saddle Width
- Guitar Fretboard (17)
- 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…
- 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
Guitar Fretboards Source: Guitar Fretboard Radius Guitar Fretboard Radius When we talk about a radius on the guitar fretboard, it pertains only…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- Cutting Fret Channels
- 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
Fitting the Guitar Back Source: Guitar Building Articles - Guitar Sides 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" Metal…
- 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…
- Back Plate Arch Template
- The Guitar Neck (27)
- Adjustable Truss Rod - Neck Preparation
Adjustable Truss Rod - Neck Preparation Source: Guitar Neck Adjustable Truss Rod - Neck Preparation: Materials and Tools: Hod Rod Adjustable Truss Rod…
- Acoustic Guitar Heel
Acoustic Guitar Heel Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Neck Tools and Materials Required: Heel Restraint Jig Titebond III Glue Waxed…
- Adjustable Truss Rod - Installation
Adjustable Truss Rod - Installation Source: Guitar Neck Adjustable Truss Rod - Installation: Materials and Tools: Hod Rod Adjustable Truss Rod…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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 Plexigl…
- 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
Preparing and Gluing the Headstock Veneer: Gluing the Headstock Veneer Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Neck Tools and Materials…
- 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…
- 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…
- Adjustable Truss Rod - Neck Preparation
- 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
Fitting the Guitar Back Source: Guitar Building Articles - Guitar Sides Tools and Materials Required: Wood Chisels Japanese Pull Saw
- Free Floating Top - Acoustic
Gluing a Free Floating Top - Acoustic Guitar Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Top - The Guitar Sides Tools and materials Required: Jap…
- 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
Install Acoustic Guitar Linings Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Sides Installing Guitar Linings: If you haven't already done so, be…
- Installing Classical Guitar Linings
Installing Classical Guitar Linings Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Sides Installing Guitar Linings: If you haven't already done so,…
- Making Guitar Linings
Making Guitar Linings Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Sides How to Make Guitar Linings: Although you can purchase guitar lining…
- 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…
- Side Bending - Boiling
Everett Side Bender Source: Guitar Building Articles/Guitar Sides Bending Sides by Boiling: Bending your guitar sides by placing them in boiling…
- 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
Types of Guitar Linings Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Sides Types of Guitar Lining: First of all let's clear up the terminology…
- Fitting The Acoustic Top
- The Guitar Top (9)
- 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 II or…
- 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
Gluing a Free Floating Top - Acoustic Guitar Source: Guitar Building Articles - The Guitar Top - The Guitar Sides Tools and materials Required: Jap…
- 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
Router Base Adapter Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Top For information on different types of rosettes that are typically used with…
- Shaping Tone Braces
Shaping Guitar Braces Source: Guitar Building Articles/The Guitar Top Tools & Materials Required: 1/2" Chisel Violin Finger Planes Small Block…
- Bracing the Backplate
- Adjustable Truss Rod - Neck Preparation
- Guitar Building Plans (21)
Here we cover the different guitar plans available to the first time or seasoned luthier.
- 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…
- 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 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…
- 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 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…
- 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 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…
- Kasha/Schneider Bracing
Kasha/Schneider Fan Bracing Diagram Source: Guitar Plans FB.init("f8a38108380f5411cd4d388b689d73b2");Ultimate Guitar OnLine on Facebook The Post…
- Ramirez Bracing Pattern
Ramirez Fan Bracing Diagram Source: Guitar Plans FB.init("f8a38108380f5411cd4d388b689d73b2");Ultimate Guitar OnLine on Facebook The Modern…
- Torres Bracing Pattern
Torres Fan Bracing Diagram Source: Guitar Plans FB.init("f8a38108380f5411cd4d388b689d73b2");Ultimate Guitar OnLine on Facebook The Modern…
- 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…
- 000 Concert Guitar Plans
- Guitar Making Tips (5)
- Gluing Tips
2-Part Epoxy Glues Source: Tools & Materials Believe it or not there are some definite tricks to gluing parts of the guitar correctly. If you get…
- 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 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…
- Gluing Tips
- Guitar Wood Selection (7)
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
Guitar Top Preparation Source: Guitar Wood Selection Preparation of the Soundboard: Tools and Supplies Needed: 24" Metal Level Roll of…
- 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…
- 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…
- Guitar Back Selection
- Introduction (1)
- Ultimate Guitar Building Intro
Guitar Making Outside Mold Source: Guitar Jigs & Molds FB.init("f8a38108380f5411cd4d388b689d73b2");Ultimate Guitar OnLine on Facebook Ultimate…
- Ultimate Guitar Building Intro
- The Guitar Shop (1)
We will cover things specifically related to the workings of the guitar shop, from working environment to wood storage, tool setups and much more.
- Shop Humidity
Great Hydrometer Source: Guitar Plans We really cannot have a discussion about making guitars without talking about the careful control of humidity…
- Shop Humidity
- The Plan Shop (3)
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…
- 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…
- Classical Guitar Plans - Bouchet
- Tools & Materials (42)
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…
- 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
2-Part Epoxy Glues Source: Tools & Materials Believe it or not there are some definite tricks to gluing parts of the guitar correctly. If you get…
- 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 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 Jointing Jig Source: Guitar Tools & Materials The Guitar Plate Jointing Jig is a relatively simple jig to make, but it is also a very…
- 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…
- 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 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…
- 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 Source: Tools & Materials The Side Bending Jig is probably one of the best tools to advance efficient guitar building that has…
- Side Spreader Jacks
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…
- 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 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"…
- 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…
- 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…
- 20 Inch Scroll Saw
- Wood Preparation (2)
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…
- 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…
- Shop Humidity





