Official Luthiers Forum!

How about somthing like a gibson L1, Like Robert Johnson used?

That would be very cool!!!

Michael,
When is the ETA for the classical plans?
Pat

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There are three kinds of people:

Those that make things happen,
those that watch things happen,
and those that wondered what happened.

Guess that's a "no go" for a baritone design

Oh well, maybe next time.

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Guitar Building = Continuous Improvement Process

It is likely to be a month as I have to finish up some on going work first. That said on the m&t classical is in processs but I am not going to promise a date because I always build a prototype before I relase a new design. Now a historical design I can turn around much quicker but I will not release a plans set of a new design without building one first.

Well of course I would love to see a usefull harp guitar plan. My intent is to develop a more shapely HG based on a SJ cut away design. Maybe I can help contribute towards this down the road. Resonators! Both square and round neck.

Mike, thanks for asking... you do good work!

Mike

Hi Hesh,

there is a free (and accurate) L-OO plan on C. Grellier´s site, too ("mirrored" on my website -> plans).

Best regards,
Martin

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Martin G.
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www.best-eurospruce.com

I've been looking for a good acoustic bass guitar plan for a while and haven't found anything decent. These instruments don't seem that popular but perhaps a good plan would allow some folks to start building something decent and increase the demand for these things as well.

If at all possible, I'd like to see options for a 30" scale as well. Or, perhaps instead of a 30" scale, use whatever the scale length of a 34" FB would be with the top two frets cut off (IIRC that's a little longer than 30"), that way one wouldn't have to make a custom FB for the 30" version.

Edit: I just took a look and see that LMI offers 30, 32, 34 and 35 inch slottings for FBs.

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

Another vote for a small ladder braced concert sized guitar. I've always admired John Hows beauties. I've bookmarked John's drawings but plans would be better. Maybe a collaboration opportunity?

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Jim Womack

"Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for. "
Will Rogers

That would be very cool.

How about an electric Gibson L-5?

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

ditto on a small body for nylon strings

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GEO
perpetual beginner

That is correct, it simply will not print. We have a decent AJ plan, but there is some snafu in the files that is causing problems. Also SM sells a J45 plan so I don't know if that will be too similar (although I think the AJ is a much better guitar).

To my mind I think we shoudl produce a plan that is not sold anywhere else commercially. The L-00 is sold by GAL. To me the Martin 00 would be a good choice or the baritone. I suspect both would sell well.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Well, I thought it was a good idea.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

I did too but there is just one of me the more I think about it Brock is right. We need to keep these as one of a kind plans So I am rethinking what I will do. the mortise and tenon bolt-on classical is a go and will be on the next addition as it will be a one of a kind design. Also Mike Mahar has given me a Celtic mando design that fits the bill. I also think a baritone will work. I am sorry that I can't do something for everyone but Brock is right to be successful in this venture with Stewmac these need to be plans not available on other sites.

Another vote for a Martin style 00. 12 fret, open headstock.

Yes...Yes...Yes... A baritone plan would be very unique to the market place. (thanks for the back up Brock).

I already have two sets of L-00 plans on my shop wall along with an OM and Dreadnaught set so there is, IMHO, no reason to put a lot of energy into something that already exists. (again just my opinion).

For those unsure of why you would want a baritone check out you tube for some of these players and enjoy the music...

Don Ross (Beneteau)
Pat Methany (Manzer)
Don Alder (Mustapick)

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Guitar Building = Continuous Improvement Process

Ok boys and girls. Not having ever built a baritone, I will need some help on the specs. Does anyone have any rough sketches or general specs I can work off of?

I can't promise a date for availability of these plans as I have to figure out the design, draw the plans maybe test a simple prototype, then Stewmac has to review the plans, issue and order, set them up on their website and eventually into their catalog. All this takes some time.

And for those of you that may ask if you could have a set pre availability at Stewmac I have to respectfully decline. Our deal with Stewmac has them as the sole source. To do otherwise would not be good

So here is the general game plan. First I will complete my plans for a M&T bolt-on modern shaped classical. Then I will do the baritone. Both will release together. Drafting should be don within a month baring any blockades and I am pretty sure Stewmac will pick them soon after they have completed the review process. Optimistically the soonest I can see the being available is mid to late March.

Michael,

I know that Tony Karol makes an incredible baritone guitar and he has in the past graciously offered insight into their construction on this forum and via e-mail.

He has created instruments for both Bruce Cockburn and Don Alder (not sure if Don's was Bari) so you know the stuff is A++

There are other's as well such as Matt Mustapick (shop reports) who offer pictorial steps in the making of their unique instruments.

This is a very interesting project as it introduces not only a new sound but there is potential to expand on the design in the future! (multi scale frets, longer scales, different tunings, strings, nuts and saddles, arm rests, Manzer wedge, sound ports...Yeah, I've been thinking on this for a while

Ray

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Guitar Building = Continuous Improvement Process

I'd love to see plans for a 12 Fret OM 24.9 scale length (Martins "Norman Blake").

Mike

Ok OK hold it, just hold it right there.
What's with all these little flat bits o’ wood slapped t’gether with a big hole in the middle, eh.
What's needed is drawings for a proper guitar, all big and beautifully rounded with lovely squiggly holes in it, I think they call it an archtop, yeah archtop that's what's needed.
Geordie

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some tunes on acoustic and guitar synth.
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGeordieAdams
http://www.myspace.com/geordieadams

That is simple enough to render from the OLF OM 14 fret by the luthier them self. The sound hole and bracing moves just a bit forward

There was a whole issue of Guitarmaker several years ago on the Baritone. If I recall correctly David Berkowitz's article goes into the structural changes necessary. I've played at least one of David's baritones and found it to be well balanced with less of that floppy low string that many of them have.

Al Carruth made a baritone a few years ago for Ken Bonfield that sounds wonderful and doesn't require much in the way of changes to a basic design. In essence, it is a standard jumbo with a neck that has two extra frets. It is tuned DGCFAD or CFBbEbGC

Michael,

I think that a big part of the success of your plans is that have are tried and true and can be commented on by members of the forum.

It might be a good idea that when a new forum plan is available, we open up some sort of a group build. I would be interested in hearing the comments from other builders on a set of plans. This would add to the value that the OLF brings to the plans.

Just a thought,

John

OH no a group build we have done a couple groupe builds around here and I have to tell ya if we do a group build to test out before publishing, We will all be worm food before Stewmac gets the plans