Letter to the editor by Paul Wyszkowski
Wyszkowski defends assertions he made in a previous article (Vol. 12, #4, GAL Quarterly) concerning sound radiation of the (1,0) mode in the classic guitar.
Letter to the Editor by Michael Dresdner
Dresdner discusses the availability of files suitable for nut slotting, and supplies an address for the Grobet Company.
Letter to the Editor by Jose Llorens
Llorens describes methods of fixing mechanical flaws in Schaller classic machines.
Pearly Shells and Nichols by David Nichols
Nichols does a lot of custom inlay work, including ultra-fancy work on new instruments for the Martin company. He describes his entire process here, illustrated with 15 photos. He also reveals his tool choices and sources of supply.
Basics of Air Resonance by W.D. Allen
Allen attempts to introduce the non-physicist to useful concepts of resonance including standing waves, captured air mass, and soundhole size. Illustrated with the author's own sometimes-whimsical drawings, the article aims at preparing luthiers to understand heavier fare on the physics of musical instruments.
Hints for Area Tuning the Violin by Keith Hill
Hill theorizes that the violinmakers of the classical period tuned tap tones of certain areas of their instruments to desired pitch relationships. He finds these to be consistent within the work the individual makers, and suggests that the natural resonances of the human body may be a model for this idea. Specific techniques and tools are described.
1918 Martin 1-18, #13336 by Ted Davis
The article contains four photos, a short text, and a reduced image of our full-scale instrument Instrument Plan #8. Both pages of the very thorough drawing are presented. A chance to get an accurate preview of the plan before you buy. This is a very small flattop guitar, less than 13" at the lower bout.
Ukuleles Are For Real! by Bob Gleason
Gleason admonishes luthiers to respect the ukulele as a legitimate instrument with its own challenges and rewards.
Dalbergia Nigra and Friends by William Cumpiano
In this interview with well-known author and wood expert Bruce Hoadley, Cumpiano seeks to clear up certain questions about Brazilian rosewood relating to identification and confusion with other Dalbergias and so-called rosewoods.
Workbench Design Ideas by Mark Stanley
Stanley proposes a lutherie workbench of an unusual stepped-width design and gives thoughts on the materials and carpentry involved in constructing it.
Lutherie: Art or Science? by R.E. Brune
Brune criticizes the theoretical design work of Dr. Michael Kasha, concluding that it is in fact less scientific than the empirical work of luthiers untrained in physics.
Dulcimer Frets: My Way by Merv Rowley
Rowley describes a method of setting nails into half-round slots in a dulcimer fretboard. The slots are made by passing the fretboard over a veining bit in a router table with a miter fence.
Guitar Back Fitting Jig by Ted Davis
Davis presents a drawing of a jig for properly forming the sides and lining of a guitar to accept a domed back. The sides are held in a mold while a sanding stick, held by a central post, is passed over them.
Finding That Part by Bill Hultgren
Hultgren offers advise to those conducting telephone searches for parts or materials.
Electronic Moisture Meters by Gregory Jackson
Jackson comments on the basic principle upon which electronic moisture meters work, use of the meters, and why you should not try to cobble together your own.
Internal Probing Tool by Elliot Burch
Burch describes modifying an automotive part-retrieving claw into a device for positioning small crack-reinforcing studs.
Pneumatic Cylinders by Michael Jacobson-Hardy
Jacobson-Hardy describes devices based on pneumatic cylinders for bending sides, clamping braces to plates, clamping plates to sides, and holding neck blanks in a lathe.
Luthier's Long Knife by C.F. Casey
Casey briefly describes the construction and use of a long-handled knife designed to be used with two hands.
Illuminating Instrument Repairs by John Jordan
Jordan describes two incandescent lights designed for use inside guitars. One uses a 7 watt bulb on a standard power cord. The other uses tiny low-voltage bulbs and a step-down transformer.
Bandsaw Riser Block by Joel Ivan Hawley
Hawley describes a method of sawing part way into a 4x4, then clamping it to the bandsaw table and using it as a table for sawing the outline of a guitar or banjo peghead.
The Right Stone by Ervin Somogyi
Somogyi comments briefly on the relative merits of oil stones and water stones.
Embarrassing Moments in Lutherie by Carl McFarland
McFarland drilled up through the face of a finished tamburah when drilling holes for string anchors in the tail area of the sides.
Embarrassing Moments in Lutherie by William McCaw
McCaw ruined a classic peghead when the cheap collar of his router gave way.
Review: Classic Guitar Making by Overholtzer. Reviewed by William McCaw.
The reviewer praises the book as the most logical of the construction methods he has read, but takes issue with some specific techniques.
Review: Constructing the Mountain Dulcimer by Kimball. Reviewed by Peter Estes.
The reviewer praises the book in general, and especially the quality of the diagrams.
