This issue's cover shows an illustrated rosette on a classical guitar built in 1995 by Canadian luthier Charlie Koop.
Designing the Archtop Guitar for Sound by John Monteleone
John Monteleone's lecture to the 1998 GAL Convention was called "Designing the Archtop Guitar for Sound." We are treated to a lot of good specific info on how he does that, plus some interior detail shots of his multi-soundhole guitars.
Meet the Maker: David Freeman by Jonathon Peterson
Canadian luthier David Freeman runs a lutherie school, wood dealership, and guitarmaking business in a little farming town in Saskatchewan. Until a few years ago he was farming on top of all that. Read all about him in this issue.
Development of the European Guitar 1780-1880 and its Relevance to Modern Guitar Design by Gary Southwell
English luthier Gary Southwell also spoke to the 1998 Convention. His topic was those funny little pre-classical guitars that they were making in France, Germany, and Italy between 1780 and 1880. Seems they are a lot more respectable instruments than our conventional post-Torres wisdom may have assumed. The little photo shows Gary's copy of a guitar by Johan Staufer. Click on it to see the same instrument being admired by Paul Bristow and Bob Park.
Meet the Maker: Masaru Kohno by Andrea Tacchi
The late Masaru Kohno began as a child with a broken guitar and became the biggest classical guitar maker in Japan. He tells us his life story in this, believed to be his final interview.
Router Jig for Shaping a Neck by Mike Nealon
Mike Nealon shows you how to make a jig for a standard router that lets you shape the back of the neck and an arrowhead volute with great prescision.
Kit Review: The Riverboat Banjo from Musicmaker's Kits by John Calkin
John Calkin built the Riverboat Banjo from a kit offered by Musicmakers. He did a few things his own way, but that's part of the fun. Luthier tested, luthier approved!
Product Reviews by Fred Carlson
Here's a review of Frank Ford's great website, frets.com. It is available on CD, which saves a lot of download time.
It Worked for Me
This jig quickly converts a stationary belt sander into a thickness sander. It is part of our regular "It Worked for Me" column which contains several such ideas in each issue.
Meet the Maker: Henry Stocek by John Calkin
Meet Henry Stocek. He's a bluegrass picker who got sidetracked into making authentic celluloid for vintage guitars. Ain't life strange. Read about him in this issue.
This issue also contains letters to the editor, workbench tips, book reviews and Q&A.
