How Frank Frets by Frank Ford
Ford has been a preeminent repairman for years, but has recently emerged as a fine teacher of repair topics. Everyone's refretting tricks are a little different. Even if you have a handle on the general principle you may find that Frank Ford has something to offer you.
Meet the Maker: Arul Dominic Xavier by Jonathon Peterson
Xavier traveled all the way from India to attend the Healdsburg Guitarmakers Festival. This interview makes it obvious to what lengths some folks have to go to become luthiers. Think you're on a budget? In India a GAL membership costs about one third of a month's wages.
A Feast for the Eye by Kalia Kliban
Kliban reports on an inlay workshop led by Larry Robinson. Robinson has become a master of shell decoration and an important teacher in the field. This article covers everything from design to engraving, and amounts to a condensed version of Larry's book on the subject.
The Concert Zither by John Roeder
Roeder offers construction advise about the classic German zither, which has 5 strings over a fretboard and as many as 40 open strings used for chord and bass accompaniment. Included are drawings and photos, as well as a shrunken version of Instrument Plan #41. Mentions Franz Schwarzer.
Meet the Maker: Michael Hornick by Tim Olsen
Hornick has become reknown as the creator of Shanti guitars. In this interview he discusses the road tothe top of the lutherie profession as well as tonewood and guitar design.
Understanding Nitrocellulose Lacquer by Michael Hornick
Good lacquer work isn't mysterious, just a pain in the neck. Hornick has it down to an art and a science, and he offers up his recipe to the last detail.
Portland Oregon's 1997 Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibit by Jonathon Peterson
Here are 17 photos of knockout instrument work.
Meet the Maker: Kent Everett by John Calkin
Everett is one of those monster craftsmen who can knock out 50 fine instruments a year, alone. This interview not only covers his lutherie background but explains the shop schedule that keeps the guitar flowing at such a prodigious rate.
Product Reviews by Harry Fleishman
Fleishman examines two tools used for changing the width of fret tangs and a Dremel tool jig for routing bridge slots after the bridge is glued to the guitar. He likes them all.
Violin Q&A by Michael Darnton
This time the GAL's fiddle guru talks about bridge shoes, fitting pegs, detecting a loose bass bar, streaky ebony, and "Russian" string setups.
It Worked for Me
Readers offer tips and advise about an instrument neck support; new handles for Micro Plane rasps; a strap button repair; a lamp for your router; Bernards pliers; uses for shish kebob sticks; a glue clearing scraper; and a method of touching up polyurethane finishes.
Questions edited by Cyndy Burton
How does one repair lacquer checking? Is there a source for slot headstock mandolin machines? What finish did Martin use before switching to lacquer? Is there a video that teaches classical guitar construction? How does one use the dished workboard? Members come to the rescue once again.
This issue is no longer available individually. Its contents are
included in The Big Red Book of American Lutherie, Vol. 5.
