The Guitar Family, Continued by Graham Caldersmith
Caldersmith is working to expand the voice range of guitar ensembles, both classical and steel string. With four photos and frequency response graphs. The first installment of Caldersmith's work with a classical guitar family came way back in American Lutherie #18.

A Practical Approach to Hammered Dulcimers by John Calkin
The goal is to make the lightest possible instrument that will stay in tune. Calkin examines bracing, bridge design, scale lengths, wood, and hammer design.

Meet the Maker: Debbie Suran by Nicholas Von Robison
Suran is a performer/builder of hammered dulcimers.

Hammered Dulcimer Plan by Debbie Suran and Nicholas Von Robison
Suran's design allows for the least amount of tension over the side bridges, which contributes to instrument stability. This plan is a reduced version of GAL Instrument Plan #39.

Making Oval Mandolin Rosettes by Jonathon Peterson, et al
Seven luthiers explain how they cut that oval slot.

Meet the Maker: Lara Espley by Nicholas Von Robison
Espley is a Canadian maker of wonderfully distinctive instruments. Here she talks about her favorite woods (purpleheart, koa), her training, and the gender gap.

Felix Manzanero and his Collection of Antique Guitars by Ronald Louis Fernandez
It's untrue that all the old builders were stodgy old putzes locked into a cold tradition. Some of these guitars were pretty far out.

Electronic Answer Man by Rick Turner
Turner discusses solder, and a pickup pan pot.

Product Reviews by Harry Fleishman
Fleishman examines the battery-powered Stealth guitar tuners from Sabine, which are meant to be mounted on the guitar. He finds them useful but aesthetically hard to hide on the instrument.

Questions edited by Cyndy Burton
Members send in advice about stearate-free sandpaper, toxic wood, hurdy-gurdies, classical guitar top design, and hollow radius forms.

Review: Making an Archtop Guitar by Bob Benedetto reviewed by Tom Ribbecke
The reviewer finds that this book sets a new standard for guitarmaking books in general, and that it should affect the evolution of the archtop guitar for many years to come.

Review: The Art of Inlay by Larry Robinson reviewed by John Calkin
The reviewer finds that if you wish to push your inlay work beyond the traditional patterns you may find this book indispensable.

Opinion by Ervin Somogyi
Somogyi believes that ethics is a cloudy but deep issue that all luthiers must contend with. Simply trying to do your best work is not the end of the issue.

Violin Q&A by Michael Darnton
Why is there a step in the neck behind the nut of my fiddle? What angle are the junctions of the ribs cut to at the corners? What's the difference between French and Belgian cello bridges? Zits in the varnish? Why does my French polish crackle?

It Worked For Me
a column of helpful hints and timely tips Reader info about measuring the interiors of small instruments, lacquering in rainy weather, making a tool for brace scalloping, fixed table saw fences for repeatable cuts, reglueing back braces, and a homemade nut-slotting tool.

This issue is no longer available individually. Its contents are
included in The Big Red Book of American Lutherie, Vol. 4.