Kevin and Fred, I've been looking for one of those to replace the chunk of 4x4 with carpet I've been using for years. What model do you guys have?

Scott - welcome to the obsession. I will second the vote for Robbie O'Brian's videos. Robbie's videos are very good and are reasonably priced.

+1 for the Protektor brand shooting rest. Available from LMI or direct from the company http://protektormodel.com/ for a bit less $

Fred

we also have a series of over 80 vids on you tube
blues creek kit
that section documents a total build . The info is free and you are welcome to check it out and use it

OK, just judging from what you have posted so far, it is clear that you are in the beginning stages of learning how to set up stringed instruments. That's not a criticism; just an assessment of what you know now, so that appropriate learning aids can be recommended.

It is useful to separate (to some degree) the jobs of building guitars versus setting up guitars versus repairing guitars. These are all related, but the learning materials are often segregated like this. For example, some books or videos that focus on building guitars don't go into great depth on how to set up or repair any types of instruments other than the ones being built, while other books or videos on proper setup techniques don't cover how to build things in the first place.

Since you have some existing instruments you want to work on, I think a great place to shop for instructional materials is the Stewart McDonald website. They offer lots of books and videos on setup and repair.

If you want to learn how to build guitars, the online resources already mentioned are great. I also feel that building a guitar on your own, using the Cumpiano/Natelson book (properly supplemented by Cumpiano's online updates regarding the neck-body joint), will teach you a whole lot. That's how I got started.

Good luck with this new endeavor.

like anything else , you have to start somewhere . If you learn from a mistake it is no longer a mistake but a learning experience.

If you want to start with replacing the nut and saddle (don't use the term bridge; that means the actual piece of wood) on an existing guitar, then StewMac sells both the books/videos on how to do that well, along with the raw materials (bone nuts and saddles) and oodles of specialized tools for doing that type of work. You might want to also think about the other related setup aspects of that guitar while you are at it: getting the neck straight and dressing the frets. Again, StewMac sells the books/videos, the raw materials, and the tools for the job.

Not trying to push StewMac unnecessarily. Some of the tools they make and sell are things you can make yourself for less money. But really, they cover the ground you want to start with better than anybody else. Way better.

I recommend you start by buying a number of books and/or videos from StewMac before you buy any raw materials or tools. If you first read up on the best ways of doing what you want to do, you can later buy only what stuff you need and what will work best for your situation. If you buy raw materials and tools now, you are shooting in the dark somewhat. As far as which books, I recommend starting with the ones that StewMac publishes themselves (Fretwork Step by Step, Trade Secrets, etc.). They are always well thought out.

Hi Scott,
If you need help with setting the action on your Epi a few photos would probably give everyone here a better idea of what has to be done. Yes, it sounds as though the guitar may need a neck rod adjustment and probably needs to be tightened, as you commented that you changed to a heavier gauge set of strings. The first thing to do is find out if the neck relief is concave or convex, you can do this using a long straight edge like a two foot metal ruler. Lay the edge of the ruler on the tops of the frets and have a look at how the neck bows. Concave means the rod will need to be tightened and convex means it will need to be loosened. This should be done with string tension on the neck.

Post a few photos and give an explanation as to the location of the buzzing, etc. this will help diagnose the problem or problems.

Cheers,
Cal

Since you are in Los Angeles, and therefore close to excellent repair shops, I think you should take the Martin binding job to someone with experience. You can practice repairs on less expensive guinea pigs.