Has anyone made...

birdo

An acoustic? I see a lot of self builds, tweeked and generally modded electrics but hardly any acoustics . Is it so hard no one bothers ? Or do you need a lot of special tools.

TheOtherDennis

Yep, I've done it, three times. They've all been kits, and they've all been pretty hard. I would suggest that if you want to do it, a kit from StewMac.com would be the answer -

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Kits/Acoustic_Guitar_Kits/Dreadnought_Guitar_Kit.html

or

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Kits/Acoustic_Guitar_Kits/Triple-O_Guitar_Kit.html

There are two reasons for this. One, they include a DVD and a quite comprehensive instruction brochure, as well as very detailed plans, that tell you almost everything you need to know and what tools you'll need, too. And two, their technical help has endless patience and is extremely helpful. I'm a f****ing idiot and they never once said so, despite severe provocation.

The kits aren't easy to get right, but with patience, they make an excellent start to acoustic building. I would also recommend getting a book like the one by Jonathon Kinkead, or something like that. It must be getting more common, because my local Axminster in Coventry actually has a build-your-own acoustic book on its shelves! (I didn't see who wrote it, mind, I was simply surprised to see it.)

Having said all that, get it right and there really is no other feeling.

This is what my three look like -


Two Martin kits with dovetail necks and a StewMac kit with a bolt-on neck. The first Martin was close to disaster, the second was almost pretty good, and the StewMac is soooooo close to what I wanted to achieve. Overall I would say that while the woods are slightly better quality with the Martin kits, and there's a much, much bigger choice of styles, the technical help from StewMac blows Martin out of the water, and unless you've done one before, that's the most important thing.

They're not cheap though. Even though the guitars you finish with are the equivalent of models that cost three or four times as much as the kit, you don't do this to save money, I can assure you!

TTony

^^ those are 3 nice looking guitars.

birdo - you might want to click this link

Lixarto

I've played one of Dennis's guitars, and thought it was very nice

TheOtherDennis

TTony said:

^^ those are 3 nice looking guitars.

birdo - you might want to click this link

You haven't seen 'em up close though!

That's a great link, loads of good advice and info in that.

Lixarto said:

I've played one of Dennis's guitars, and thought it was very nice

As ever sir, you are far too kind, sir.

Antique_Guitars

I have made a travel guitar a parlour guitar and a 10 string classical guitar.

I am currenty making a 23 string harp lute

WezV

i have done an acoustic stew-mac kit and a tenor ukulele

WezV

oh, and i have retopped a couple of laminate top acoustics with proper solid tops and carved braces.  Thats a fun project if you have a crappy acoustic

birdo

So what's it like? I should imagine there's less margin for error than with an electric. Also is it difficult to get the materials if you don't buy a kit?

Antique_Guitars

Materials are very easy to get hold of but you need either a lot of hand tools (some specialist) or a load of expensive machines to do some jobs.

There are some complex things when making acoustic instruments but with practice you get better at them. Id say you would have to make say 8 or so instruments before you could be at a level that you could sell them professionaly.

But you could make a playable ish guitar at the first attempt if you are good with woodworking.

Not to put any electric guitar makers down but in general acoustic instruments are more difficult and time consuming to produce although it should be said that some people make some stunningly complicated electric guitars that are easily on a par with the production of acoustic instruments in regards to difficulty.

Where are you based?

ArchtopDave

I'm going back to Mark Bailey's at the end of the month to start on making an OM Acoustic (this will be my 3rd build with him). I'm estimating that it might take up to 20 days in total to make, as I like to include bindings on the body and neck, and inlays. It may be about 9 months before the guitar is finished. I'm currently booked to do 3 days this month and then 5 days in November.

WezV

I don't think anyone would disagree that making an acoustic is more difficult than making a telecaster

For me the pinnacle is archtop building, I have not tried it yet but I am slowly working myself towards it and try to include some of those techniques in my other builds

you also need to keep a much cleaner workspace when working on acoustics, dont want any hardwood chips around when you are working on a spruce or cedar top

TheOtherDennis

Wez's last comment is very true - I found that all the wood can be very easy to mark or chip. When I was gluing on the binding of one of the tops, I had to be really careful that the masking tape holding it down while the glue dried didn't rip some chips out of the top when I took it off.

The biggest difference between the two types of build is, imho, care. You have to be careful on both, obviously, but a slip with an acoustic can do far more damage.

Cor, we're doing our best to put birdo off, I think we need some encouragement instead - do a bit of research into the kits, is my advice, and if you're feeling up to it, dive in. Take your time, but you should be able to have a lot of fun while you do it. It's immensely rewarding.

bertie

Lixarto said:

I've played one of Dennis's guitars, and thought it was very nice

ditto,  very nice tone indeed.

ArchtopDave

TheOtherDennis said:

Wez's last comment is very true - I found that all the wood can be very easy to mark or chip. When I was gluing on the binding of one of the tops, I had to be really careful that the masking tape holding it down while the glue dried didn't rip some chips out of the top when I took it off,

There's a little trick you can use. De-tack whatever sticky tape you are using first. Take a bit of tape and stick it down on you shirt or trousers first, and then use it to tape the binding on to the guitar, Even so you still need to be careful when removing the tape. Did this with Mark Bailey when I was making my Archtop. I was using Sellotape to hold the binding whilst glueing it on to the guitar body. 

 

ArchtopDave

WezV said:

For me the pinnacle is archtop building, I have not tried it yet but I am slowly working myself towards it and try to include some of those techniques in my other builds

True - Archtops take a lot of time. It's the body carving, where you turn two nice thick bits of wood into a lot of expensive sawdust, and are left with the thin shapely top and back.

I obviously do things back to front since I decided on making an Archtop as my first build with Mark Bailey. It took me about 5 days to make the top and another 5 days to make the back.

blueskunk

Well done man they look great.
Check this out, bet thats an easy build guys
http://www.brianeastwoodguitars.co.uk/dual.html

JookyChap

blueskunk;8348" said:

Well done man they look great.
Check this out, bet thats an easy build guys
http://www.brianeastwoodguitars.co.uk/dual.html

Looks quite sane next to the jellycaster

blueskunk

Haha very true Jook.
Speak soon buddy

Andyjr1515

I tried my first acoustic build earlier this year - with much help from the tips and tricks from the guys and gals in the UKGB forum. I was really chuffed with how it came out http://www.ajrguitarmods.co.uk/swift iv acoustic.htm There's a build diary on the website if anyone's interested Andy

TheOtherDennis

Kin ell, that was your FIRST?? :-O

I am seriously impressed, that is absolutely gawgeous.