Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello Everyone;

I've been lurking for a few weeks and figured I should introduce myself before asking a question.

I've played guitar for 30+ years, worked in a repair shop for a couple years doing set-ups, bridge resets, refrets, regluing braces... I've long wanted to build guitars. I decided to build a ukelele last fall as a Christmas gift and it turned out beautifully. I'll post pics when I get a chance. I used the Stew Mac kit but did zipflex purfling and a fleur de lis MOP headstock inlay. I did a french polish finish. It sounds great and looks beautiful.

So on to my question.

My first build(s) will be a 14 fret OM (or OOO). I've been using the search feature looking for plans. I seem to have found 4 options:
1) Grellier.fr OM plans - Free, seems to be based on 30's era OM guitars. I haven't heard any comments from people who have used them to build regarding their accuracy or usefullness.
2) Michael Payne's OLF OM plan sold by Stew Mac - Some comments about the bracing being too heavy, some questions about the angle/locating of the x-brace. Not clear how accurate/historical it is.
3) Scott Antes OM plan sold by LMI - Even more comments about it being over braced.
4) I've heard mention of a template sold by Blues Creek but the site lists a 12 fret OOO, no 14 fret OOO or OM. I haven't called John yet to ask.


Can I please have comments from people who have used these plans? Any suggestions or recommendations? Any other options I haven't found yet?

Thanks so much. I appreciate it.

Linus
Brooklyn, NY

If you haven't built a guitar yet, I would recommend Michael Payne's plans. They are very detailed. A number of pages and most of it is pretty useful. I've referred to them for other guitars. Handy to have around. I used the same X angle and all was well. As far as bracing goes, that's something you will want to delve into a little deeper. The placement of the braces on the plans are good IMHO. You will want to spend some time looking around and asking a few questions before you decide on the brace sizing. Do not go by the bracing sizes on the plans. Consider your playing style and string gauge and try to build to that.

Welcome aboard and have fun with it Linus!

Cheers,
Danny

Welcome!
I can’t really answer your question about the OM plans accept to say that I have the Grellier plans from the L-00 and OM. I have built from the L-00 plan and found it to be very straight forward (the OM plan looks just as much so). I’d be interested to hear what the experienced guys and gals have to say about its accuracy compared to other OM plans as I intend to use it next. . .

edit: These plans are in metric so you will either have to have a metric rule or convert, but no big deal. . .

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

I have the Antes plans and they have a number of flaws. The body shape is somewhat narrower-waisted than Martin's OM shape, which might or might not be an issue for you. The bracing is heavier than many handmade guitars have, but that's something you can adjust for. The positioning of the tuners will cause interference of the strings if you follow it exactly. Otherwise they are not bad.

Joe

Comments about the Antes plan from a variety of posts seems to be critical.

Does anyone have experience with the Grellier plans?

Just call John at Bluescreek. This is ur best path forward for ur first build (IMHO). What John supplies is the best. And if u get in trouble, he will talk u off the ledge.

He will support u endlessly.

Mike

[quote="Linus"

Does anyone have experience with the Grellier plans?[/quote]

They're free. What's not to like.

They're free. What's not to like. [/quote]

Indeed ... I spent a while trying to find a place to print the file out lifesize for a reasonable price without much luck tho ... anyone have any tips on that?

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If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason. - Jack Handey

Thanks Todd, made my day.

Steve

Indeed ... I spent a while trying to find a place to print the file out lifesize for a reasonable price without much luck tho ... anyone have any tips on that?[/quote]

Anyplace that can print a blueprint is a good place to start I believe. In the big city of T O you should have no trouble finding a place Al. My buddy get's them done for under $10.

Thanks so much for your reply. Searching for John Arnold's posts led me to a great discussion about a documented '31 Martin OM. It's clear that he and John Hall have quite a bit of information. I'll reach out to both of them as I go along.

Got a link?

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Pat

Here it is:

http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=36574&hilit=documented+OM

My local blueprint shop did mine.

If you can't find anyone in your area, I'm sure they'll do it & ship them.

I think I paid about $6.00 per print. You can upload the files to their site.
http://www.keycompanies.com/services/pr ... rvices.php

I'm in no way affiliated with them, just a satisfied customer.

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

You could do as I did and have your brother marry an architect. Or probably more practical, find out if any of your friends work at a place with a plotter.

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Aha, "blueprint" printing gave me some better results, thanks!

_________________
If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason. - Jack Handey

I called John Hall at Blues Creek. He has a template made from the '31 OM that he wrote about in the post I referenced. I placed an order. I should be set.

Indeed ... I spent a while trying to find a place to print the file out lifesize for a reasonable price without much luck tho ... anyone have any tips on that?[/quote]


I just got the file printed at a local Fedex Office print and Ship center.... Little under $10

For any Ontario / GTA types, turns out a little chain called 'Reprodux' does them pretty reasonably. They have a $10 minimum, but I got 2 copies for that:) I'm sure there are lots of others, searching 'blueprint' seems to be the key - thanks again!

_________________
If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason. - Jack Handey