Manuel Velazquez: A Man Who Loves the Guitar by Bob Desmond
This is a short biography of a luthier who entered the trade before many of us were born, and who has turned classical guitar making into a family business.
Meet the Maker: Michael Gurian by David Hill
Gurian knows much more than he tells in this interview, but it's good to know he's still actively part of the guitar scene. He has worked alone, started an informal school of guitarmaking through the apprentices he has trained,owned guitar factories, invented tools, and is currently a supplier of parts and accessories.
Developing Models for Contemporary Violinmaking from a 1995 convention lecture by Guy Rabut
Apparently not every violinist is determined to have a fiddle that looks three hundred years old. Rabut has made some interesting attempts to up-date the violin without sacrificing the tone that everyone demands. Can't wait until these babies start showing up in symphonic orchestras.
Designing and Tuning the Hammered Dulcimer by Chris Foss
This is one of the most invigorating articles on the hammered dulcimer ever. Foss has made over 1000 instruments, has developed some hard opinions, and has tried a truckload of interesting experiments. Ever carpet the inside of a dulcimer? Foss has. Find out why.
Meet the Maker: Saul Koll by Jonathon Peterson
Koll has fashioned a living by creating unique, often bizarre, guitars both acoustic and electric. Ideas often come easy, it's selling them that's hard. Koll has found a niche.
That Fine Shine: Applying Nitrocellulose Lacquer by Fred Campbell
Campbell finishes the guitars that other luthiers build. He has become an expert spray meister with the confidence to give away the tricks he has learned the hard way. This is perhaps the best piece on lacquering AL has ever printed. With seven photos and a finishing schedule.
Swedish Lutherie Down Under (The Ground) by Michael Sanden
Sanden converted his whole basement into a complete shop. Here's his floor plan.
Ten Mountain Dulcimer Books reviewed by John Calkin
As always, not all books are created equal. Calkin compares all the dulcimer books he could round up.
Questions edited by Cyndy Burton
Members send in useful info about keeping the "bleed" off bindings while finishing, lutherie on the internet, and instrument insurance for your shop.
Product Reviews by Harry Fleishman
This time the GAL's Toolman tests a Stewart-MacDonald diamond coated fret file, and the Hacklinger gauge for measuring the thickness of instrument tops and backs. He likes the file enough to recommend it. He likes the gauge, too, but its high price puts him off.
Violin Q&A by Michael Darnton
What is neck pitch, and what does it do to/for the violin? How does one deal with an Elmer's glue repair? Why is poplar sometimes used for the cello and viola? Darnton tells all.
Opinion by David Freeman
Freeman tries to decide what musicians really want from an instrument. Well, he and we all know what they want, but how can we possibly give it to them?
Review: Making and Modifying Woodworking Tools by Jim Kingshott reviewed by Andres Sender
The reviewer finds that this book is particularly useful for the plane maker, and ultimately decides that it is ". . .a remarkable deal if you can find it."
It Worked For Me: A Column of Helpful Hints and Timely Tips
Readers send in information about gluing braces to tops, binding banjo rims, extra-wide but light-weight dulcimer fretboards, and bridge slot routing.
This issue is no longer available individually. Its contents are
included in The Big Red Book of American Lutherie, Vol. 4.
