The Hub

Hi, I have been trying to use vacuum for big surface glue-ups; fretboard to neck, drop or carve top to body etc. But I am not sure I am completely happy with the system that I have. It feels as if it's not always hugging the slabs as well as it should (or in comparison to physical clamping). I had purchased a kit with a pump from a British small company and the pump, although it's small, seems to be working okay. But the very thin vacuum…

I did some testing of peel strength for ABS plastic/unfinished wood bonds using various glues. I found some interesting results and am continuing to test with additional glues and an improved method. TL;DR: Non-aqueous glues as a class outperformed the aqueous glues Testors 3505 and thin cyanoacrylate provided the strongest non-aqueous glue bonds Among the nontoxic water cleanup glues, Canopy 560 glue exhibited a significantly higher mean p…

What is everyone using to cut the channel for a soundboard spline?

Hi, I just saw the Trussrod repair/ new fretboard post by Dan Erlewine and Rodrigo Gomes. I really liked it, especially the idea of carving the fretboard with the table saw! I could not comment on the article. I am sure there was a reason for replacing the whole fingerboard in their case. I wanted to document an alternative method that I tried two weeks ago with sucess. I did not invent it though, i have seen it somewhere in the interne…

Finally! I have come up with a way to keep these music nomad nut files organized in a functional way! This can be hung up on pegboard when not in use or the removable base can be added to make it free standing on whatever bench I’m on.

Working on this 1934/35 Regal built Dobro. It's a Model 37 roundneck in with a few issues-main ones being a bodgy slotted headstock repair, some missing binding, misaligned tailpiece, modified rim on the soundwell etc. It's been a gig pig on and off for the 30 years the current owner has had it. He want's to ditch the Barcus Berry PU, which was on it when he bought the guitar, and patch the hatchet work. I'm guessing the top was origina…

Hi all! I am new here, and really excited to be a part of the community. I am starting a new build, a 6 string semi hollow carved top with Tremolo bridge and Piezo. I'd appreciate some input to choose the best system out there. I haven't used/fixed/installed a tremolo with piezo bridge lately. I am open to hearing if you have come across something lately and felt impressed by it. It's going to be a workhorse guitar for a touring musician.…

Hey all. StewMac is looking for an experienced luthier (build and repair) to help us refine a series of articles for our website designed to enhance our SEO optimization (part time / contract). This work is remote and you will coordinate with our marketing team and SEO agency. The main objective will be editing and making suggestions to our team to ensure the quality of the information is accurate and reflects best practices within the cr…

I have some one with a double neck 6 sting/ bass who wants to wire a stereo jack to split the guitar to one amp and the bass to another amp. Before I give up does anyone have knowledge of how to do this? My skill set for electric guitars is- I can solder and follow a wiring diagram, and that's it.

We are having an event with Dan Erlewine on September 29th focussing on the Total Vise Proper Workstation and the Erlewine Bodyless Neck Support. As part of that event we would like to see your modifications, jigs, helpers, hold-downs, prop-ups, or other wizardry you have come up with to enhance your workstaion. Please reach out to me and let me know if you'd like to participate.

This is a no name classical with fan bracing. The owner , an orthopedic surgeon , had a friend buy this for him years ago in europe. His daughter had it for a few years and the cracks showed up. I had repaired some of the other top cracks with TJ Thompsons cauls and cleats. These two cracks I wonder about. Both are cupped upwards slightly. I have pictures of the cracks and pictures with a clear overlay showing the bracing below. I really…

Lyon and Healy Parlor repair. Is there any good method to soften/release old hide glue and re-clamp to close the gap? The braces will be removed and new X bracing installed. This appears to be a very old repair using hide glue, but it wasn't quite closed up at the time of the original repair so the crack is still open. Its holding very well and we may just leave it. But wanted to run this by the group. Looking to perhaps steam it along t…