This issue's cover shows the hands of George Majkowski and Boaz Elkayam as they tape binding and purfling into place on one of their ten jointly-built Schneider/Kasha-design classical guitars.
The Squishy Subject of Restoration Ethics by Frank Ford
Frank Ford is a leading expert on guitar repair. He's also an engaging and refreshingly blunt speaker. At our 1998 GAL Convention he tackled some of the tricky questions of restoration ethics. For instance, do you retouch the color on the worn ridge of this old F-5? Leave it alone? Or protect it against further wear?
Meet the Maker: Steve Kauffman by David Melly
Steve Kauffman is a fine guitar maker in his own right, and these days he has found a satisfying niche making guitars with the Klein mark as well. He's been a Guild member forever. We meet him in this issue and learn about his "five year plan" for financial independence.
Kasha Collaboration, Part 2 by Jonathon Peterson
In American Lutherie #58 we presented part one of an article showing in detail the construction of ten Kasha-Schneider-style classic guitars by Boaz Elkayam and George Majkowski, both former pupils of the late Richard Schneider. In this issue we see the assembly, finishing, and setting up.
A New Look at the Chromatic Dulcimer by Merv Rowley
Merv Rowley thinks it's time to take another look at building mountain dulcimers with a fully chromatic fret layout. He proposes a fret marking scheme to make tablature easy, and to smooth the transition from the "white keys" fret layout.
Meet the Maker: Grit Laskin by Gordon Gray
Toronto-based luthier William "Grit" Laskin is well known for his delighfully pictorial inlay work. He recently won a National award honoring Canada's leading artists.
Making Compensated Saddles by Jeff Huss and Mark Dalton
Here's a quick and clear rundown on how they shape compensated saddles in the semi-production environment of Huss&Dalton guitars.
Gene Rhinehart: Northwest Resophonic Connection by Jonathon Peterson
Gene Rhinehart makes resophonic guitars. I mean he really makes them, cone and everything. He shares some of his ideas with us on what makes them work.
Product Reviews by Fred Carlson
Fred Carlson reviews several tools, including one he calls the "luthier's waffle iron." As a free bonus, this column includes lyrics to two original songs. Where else but American Lutherie?
Questions edited by Cyndy Burton
Readers come to the rescue with information about Crystalac products and using wenge as bridge material.
It Worked for Me
Ken Altman shows us how to make cool little brass planes particularly suited to bow making.
This issue is no longer available individually. Its contents are
included in The Big Red Book of American Lutherie, Vol. 5.
