Q&A | Scarf Joint Jig, Choosing Top Wood for a Parlor, Using Slotted or Unslotted Bridge Pins…

Posted on by Eric Schaefer

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I answer YOUR questions!

Questions/Topics:

– Can backs be flatsawn?

– a miter box design for cutting scarf joints

– Best wood bindings to replace white plastic bindings

– Best topwood for a parlor size instrument

– using slotted or unslotted bridge pins

– building a light box/ light box alternatives

– the 14th fret hump

– sourcing backstrip material

– fixing soundboard tearout along the binding edge

– lint free cloth in the Netherlands

– flatsawn maple

– The ‘Best Guitar Show’ in Altoona, Pennsylvania, February 25th

🔴 All episodes available at diyguitarmaking.com

🔴 Register for an 9 day Hands-On Guitar Building Workshop in Bernville, Pennsylvania: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/learn-to-build-your-own-guitar/

🔴 Check out the online course “Building an OM Acoustic”: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/course/building-an-om-acoustic/

🔴 To commission an instrument from Eric: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/instruments-ordering/ 🔴 Check out the Radial Rosette Maker Jig: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/the-radial-rosette-maker-kit/

Posted in All, Design, Finishing, Guitar Making, Jigs, Q & A, Tools, Uncategorized, Videos

Fretboard Design and Fixing a Fretboard Slotting Mistake | Guitar #116

Posted on by Eric Schaefer

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I design a new fretboard template and slot and cut a fretboard out of gorgeous Birdseye Maple for Guitar #116. And I also make a mistake, and have to adapt on the fly!

🔴 All episodes available at diyguitarmaking.com

🔴 Register for an 9 day Hands-On Guitar Building Workshop in Bernville, Pennsylvania: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/learn-to-build-your-own-guitar/

🔴 Check out the online course “Building an OM Acoustic”: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/course/building-an-om-acoustic/

🔴 To commission an instrument from Eric: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/instruments-ordering/ 🔴 Check out the Radial Rosette Maker Jig: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/the-radial-rosette-maker-kit/

Posted in All, Design, Guitar Making, Uncategorized, Videos

All About Birds Eye Maple for Guitars

Posted on by Eric Schaefer

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, we talk about Hard Maple, (AKA Rock Maple, Sugar Maple), Acer saccharum. I also talk a bit about Birdseye figure and how to handle this wood, specifically for making guitar necks.

🔴 All episodes available at diyguitarmaking.com

🔴 Register for an 9 day Hands-On Guitar Building Workshop in Bernville, Pennsylvania: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/learn-to-build-your-own-guitar/

🔴 Check out the online course “Building an OM Acoustic”: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/course/building-an-om-acoustic/

🔴 To commission an instrument from Eric: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/instruments-ordering/ 🔴 Check out the Radial Rosette Maker Jig: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/the-radial-rosette-maker-kit/

Posted in All, Design, Guitar Making, Uncategorized, Videos

Flatsawn Lumber for Guitar Necks, Dealing with Hawks and Chickens, Resawing Fretboards, Scarf Joints

Posted on by Eric Schaefer

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I talk about the difference between quartersawn and flatsawn wood for guitar neck material. I also mark out and cut the scarf joint on my birdseye maple neck for guitar #116

🔴 All episodes available at diyguitarmaking.com

🔴 Register for an 9 day Hands-On Guitar Building Workshop in Bernville, Pennsylvania: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/learn-to-build-your-own-guitar/

🔴 Check out the online course “Building an OM Acoustic”: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/course/building-an-om-acoustic/

🔴 To commission an instrument from Eric: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/instruments-ordering/ 🔴 Check out the Radial Rosette Maker Jig: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/the-radial-rosette-maker-kit/

Posted in All, Design, Guitar Making, Uncategorized, Videos

Parlor Guitars from Scratch | Full Design and Build with Commentary from the Luthier | Part 2

Posted on by Eric Schaefer

In this FULL BUILD episode of DIY Guitar Making, we go on a journey!

This 2 part series details the process of designing, jigmaking, building and finishing 2 size 1 Parlor guitars, Guitar #86 and Guitar #87.

In this second part we cover everything from routing the mortise and tenon joint, to installing the frets, to applying the finish and everything in between!

🔴 All episodes available at diyguitarmaking.com

🔴 Register for an 9 day Hands-On Guitar Building Workshop in Bernville, Pennsylvania: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/learn-to-build-your-own-guitar/

🔴 Check out the online course “Building an OM Acoustic”: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/course/building-an-om-acoustic/

🔴 To commission an instrument from Eric: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/instruments-ordering/ 🔴 Check out the Radial Rosette Maker Jig: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/the-radial-rosette-maker-kit/

Posted in All, Design, Finishing, Guitar Making, Jigs, Uncategorized, Videos

Q&A | Radial Rosettes, Soundhole Binding, Pinless Bridges, and More!

Posted on by Eric Schaefer

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I answer YOUR questions! Questions/Topics:

– Tasmanian Blackwood

– Radial rosettes

– Binding the inside of the soundhole

– Making radius dishes

– Paste wax for preventing glue from sticking to jigs

– Pinless bridges – Box elder for guitars?

– What is your sharpening process for chisels and planes?

– Inexpensive Wenge

– Avoiding lint and dust in finish

– more on shattered saddles

– Stewmac’s customer service

🔴 All episodes available at diyguitarmaking.com

🔴 Register for an 9 day Hands-On Guitar Building Workshop in Bernville, Pennsylvania: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/learn-to-build-your-own-guitar/

🔴 Check out the online course “Building an OM Acoustic”: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/course/building-an-om-acoustic/

🔴 To commission an instrument from Eric: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/instruments-ordering/ 🔴 Check out the Radial Rosette Maker Jig: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/the-radial-rosette-maker-kit/

Posted in All, Design, Finishing, Guitar Making, Jigs, Q & A, Uncategorized, Videos

Parlor Guitars from Scratch | Full Design and Build with Commentary from the Luthier | Part 1

Posted on by Eric Schaefer

In this FULL BUILD episode of DIY Guitar Making, we go on a journey!

This 2 part series details the process of designing, jigmaking, building and finishing 2 size 1 Parlor guitars, Guitar #86 and Guitar #87.

In this first part we cover the design and jigmaking stage, the construction of the soundbox, preparing the fretboard, and binding and purfling work.

🔴 All episodes available at diyguitarmaking.com

🔴 Register for an 9 day Hands-On Guitar Building Workshop in Bernville, Pennsylvania: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/learn-to-build-your-own-guitar/

🔴 Check out the online course “Building an OM Acoustic”: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/course/building-an-om-acoustic/

🔴 To commission an instrument from Eric: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/instruments-ordering/ 🔴 Check out the Radial Rosette Maker Jig: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/the-radial-rosette-maker-kit/

Posted in All, Design, Finishing, Guitar Making, Uncategorized, Videos

Q&A | Saddle Height, Lint in Finish, Why is My Saddle so long?, and More!

Posted on by Eric Schaefer

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I answer YOUR questions!

Questions/Topics:

– Soundhole Binding

– Bone nut/saddle porosity

– Saddle height

– vacuum bags for laminating sides

– solid linings

– fixing misplaced fretboard dots

– carbon fiber humbucker covers

– sanding the contour of the bridge wings

– how to deal with lint and dust in the finish

– flat sawn lumber for sides

– maple as a back and side wood

– shooting boards

– spline joints

– difference between rosewood and walnut

– Why my saddles extend out toward the bass side

🔴 All episodes available at diyguitarmaking.com

🔴 Register for an 9 day Hands-On Guitar Building Workshop in Bernville, Pennsylvania: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/learn-to-build-your-own-guitar/

🔴 Check out the online course “Building an OM Acoustic”: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/course/building-an-om-acoustic/

🔴 To commission an instrument from Eric: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/instruments-ordering/ 🔴 Check out the Radial Rosette Maker Jig: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/the-radial-rosette-maker-kit/

Posted in All, Q & A, Uncategorized, Videos

What is my Next Guitar Build?

Posted on by Eric Schaefer

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I talk about my recent trip to Hearne Hardwoods sourcing some Black Walnut, Sitka Spruce, Redwood, Honduran Mahogany and more.

I also reveal the next two builds that I will be working on going into 2024!

🔴 All episodes available at diyguitarmaking.com

🔴 Register for an 9 day Hands-On Guitar Building Workshop in Bernville, Pennsylvania: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/learn-to-build-your-own-guitar/

🔴 Check out the online course “Building an OM Acoustic”: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/course/building-an-om-acoustic/

🔴 To commission an instrument from Eric: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/instruments-ordering/ 🔴 Check out the Radial Rosette Maker Jig: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/the-radial-rosette-maker-kit/

Posted in All, Design, Guitar Making, Uncategorized, Videos

Q&A | Shrinkage Cracks in the Top, Purfling Materials, Nut Slotting and More!

Posted on by Eric Schaefer

In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I answer YOUR questions!

Questions/Topics:

– Soundboard cracks and humidity

– Eastern White Cedar for Tops

– Purfling materials for a headplate

– How deep to cut your nut slots

– The role of patience and perseverance in lutherie

– more suggestions on what I should build next!

🔴 All episodes available at diyguitarmaking.com

🔴 Register for an 9 day Hands-On Guitar Building Workshop in Bernville, Pennsylvania: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/learn-to-build-your-own-guitar/

🔴 Check out the online course “Building an OM Acoustic”: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/course/building-an-om-acoustic/

🔴 To commission an instrument from Eric: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/instruments-ordering/ 🔴 Check out the Radial Rosette Maker Jig: https://www.ericschaeferguitars.com/the-radial-rosette-maker-kit/

Posted in All, Guitar Making, Q & A, Uncategorized, Videos