Reddit reviews Guitarmaking: Tradition and Technology (Guitar Reference)

My brother build his acoustic (Spanish style) on this book. I also read it. Rally well done. Tells you everything you need to know and what tools to buy or build. Luthierie involves lots of making your own tools and jigs.

Guitarmaking: Tradition and Technology (Guitar Reference) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0811806405/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qdYXDbRJH8KWG

Back when we were building guitars, the place to buy supplies was LMI (Luthieier Mercantile) and StewMac (Stewart Macdonald). Now there are probably things to can buy on amazon.

Heres one, and two.

I'm currently building my first acoustic guitar, I didn't know anything about woodworking before starting, so I don't have a lot of experience but here are my thoughts:

I don't think you need a drum sander, at least not yet. You can do a nice job using a well sharpened plane, a caliper and a methodical approach. Invest in a good quality #4 or #5 plane, they're expensive but worth it and learn how to sharpen it, seriously your job will be a lot easier if you know how to sharpen your tools. In fact, i'd even consider taking a class.

As for power tools, the only one you absolutely need is a router / laminate trimmer, no way you can route binding channels without one, and it'll be great for working on the rosette and the truss rod slot.

I used a DIY bending iron powered by a light bulb, cost me about $40 and an afternoon to build one, it did a decent job, except that I wish it had a different shape with different radii, also it can be a bit tricky to set it to the right temperature, maybe it'd be easier using a torch but i'm not sure. If you can afford it could be a good idea to buy one, it seems to be the kind of tool that last a lifetime.

The advice about getting new tools when you need them is a sound one, otherwise you risk buying stuff you don't really need. At the beginning you just need a plane, a couple of chisels, a backsaw, measuring tools (caliper, straight edge...) and clamps.

Buy Cumpiano's book, read it and check luthiers blogs, forums and videos they're a great source of information. A blog that really helped me is that one he even has a [list] (http://acousticguitarbuild.blogspot.fr/2009/01/essential-tools-and-materials-to-get.html) of basic tools you need, check it out.

This might be up your alley.

I'm thinking of starting with either:
Guitarmaking: Tradition and Technology
or
Acoustic Guitar Making: How to Make Tools, Templates, and Jigs
anyone have experience with either of those?

I make enough from guitar building and repair to be able to fund it as a hobby in itself. You're looking at a significant initial investment in tools, workspace, and marketing in a market that's pretty saturated with factory guitars and independent builders. I hope someday to build up a customer base large enough to make this a career, but until then I enjoy it as a hobby and an art that pays for itself. As an art, I'd suggest picking up a couple of books:

Guitar making tradition and technology and Make your own electric guitar.

Both of these will give you a great background on how to build an instrument. The links in the sidebar will be very helpful to you as well.

One thing that has been helpful to me is engaging in your local music community. I live in an area of the US with lots of churches and worship pastors that need their guitars worked on. I work on their guitars and every now and then do builds for them that meet the needs they're looking for. I don't know what your community looks like, but engaging with musicians where they're at and building up a report is the beginning to a self-sustaining hobby and hopefully will carry you to a business.

Best of luck to you!

Get this book. It works through a steel string and classical guitar step by step.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0811806405/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_wjJzCbT5APB9G

I was a violin maker for ten years. I went to violin making school for about four years. I had basically no woodworking experience with woodworking aside from one shop class in high school. Just get some tools, a good book and give it a shot. This book is super cool: https://www.amazon.com/Guitarmaking-Tradition-Technology-Guitar-Reference/dp/0811806405/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1523510264&sr=1-1

I build about ten classical guitars following the instructions from that book. It's fun to read too. Lots of pictures!

If you want to learn to build guitars maybe think about getting a kit and trying that first, or build a dulcimer from a kit. Building a dulcimer will give you a basic idea of instrument construction.

First and foremost be super patient with yourself and get some band-aids.

Also, don't try and make your living as a luthier! :P I struggled for years until I came to my senses and got a normal job.

Excellent Stuff by Ervin Somogyi

The Responsive Guitar

Voicing the Guitar DVD

Older but still Excellent
Guitarmaking: Tradition and Technology

Basically a step by step for a steel string
Build Your Own Acoustic Guitar: Complete Instructions and Full-Size Plans

Edit: Formatting

Look on amazon for a general book on guitars, for example

Should be good enough. See my reply about scientific process, its what your teacher is doing.

In this instance the information is quite obvious but the exercise is still important.

This is the sort of level of info that you don't find really in scientific papers etc / a little more difficult.

However, a decent book on guitars will be a reliable enough source.

I built one using this book

http://www.amazon.com/GUITARMAKING-Guitar-Reference-Jonathan-Natelson/dp/0811806405

Its really a great walkthrough with nice pictures and descriptions. I really didn't need any major power tools either.

Stewmac sells plans, as does GAL.

Ukulele would definitely be easier for a first build.

Guitarmaking by Cumpiano and Natelson is The Book with all the info needed to build classical and steel-string acoustics with either dovetailed or pinned neck joints..

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Buy this book (you won't regret it): Guitarmaking: Tradition and Technology: A Complete Reference for the Design & Construction of the Steel-String Folk Guitar & the Classical Guitar (Jonathan Natelson, William Cumpiano)

I decided to make a guitar last December, and I have no prior woodworking or handyman knowledge. I used the Cumpiano book, which gives instructions on how to build a steel string and a classical guitar.

I am now pretty much done my guitar (a classical), just doing the french polishing steps, so I can tell you from experience that that book will tell you exactly what to do, albeit you'll need to apply some common sense now and again.

One thing I will mention is that I had to buy a fair amount of tools, mainly chisels, planes, rasps, sharpening equipment, etc. The book also tells you what you need to buy.

This is probably the best place to start: http://www.amazon.com/Guitarmaking-Tradition-Technology-Guitar-Reference/dp/0811806405