Official Luthiers Forum!

I was wondering if any of you could tell me where I could find some plans for building a parlor size guitar or if there are any good books on the subject? Also, do parlor guitars use nylon or steel strings? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Steve

Guild of American Luthiers has a plan for a Martin 1-18.

... a detailed and free plan of a Martin OO (drawn by C. Grellier) you can find here: http://www.best-eurospruce.com/24.html

Good luck,
Martin

_________________
Martin G.
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www.best-eurospruce.com

I'm pretty sure Steel.

Most parlors use steel strings.
Have you considered just drawing your own plans? It really isn't difficult. You start out based on the scale length and the
exact bridge position. Then is works from there. The X brace is placed so it crosses the wings of the bridge and everything else follows. Most parlors only have one finger brace on each side and one tone bar. That is about it.
The upper bout is all about how you do your neck joint. I use an upper transverse brace, like most guitars and then tie in my neck block to it for the 2nd mortice and tenon.

The key to a parlor is DONT over build it. With a smaller drum head (body) everything will already be relatively stiffer, so I build them very light.

LMI does have one!!!! Is in the plan section under smaller guitars. At first I started with this one before drawing my own
http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdproduc ... cott+Antes

_________________
Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Check with Steve Kovacik.

http://www.guitar-repair.com/sales.htm

Right now he has a very nice custom kit in stock for a Martin style size 2 parlor. It comes with vintage correct bracing plans for both nylon or steel.

He also has a Ditson Grand concert (0-00 size) kit as well w/plan.