Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade

Subject: RE: Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade
From: bbelle
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 04:28 PM

Thanks, Jon, I'll check it out, but I'm sure all my friends are shaking their heads and saying "perish the thought."

moonjen

Subject: RE: Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade
From: Jon W.
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 04:18 PM

I'll just add a plug here for my other favorite forum, Musical Instruments Maker's Forum - in case you really do want to make a MOONJEN. Congrats.

Subject: RE: Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade
From: bbelle
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 04:15 PM

Ain't nevah heerd a no Bayta Testa, darlin', but iff'n I thinks it's what A think 'tis y'll can put yor boots under mine, any ol' time. Don't y'll mind the lumps. It's jest them corn shuckin's.

moonjen

Subject: RE: Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade
From: Amos
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 03:52 PM

Kin ah bee yore Bayta Tester, honey?

A

Subject: RE: Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade
From: bbelle
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 03:47 PM

Hell ... I'm gonna shoot for the stars and just start building them thar geetars!!!! Just think ... an original MOONJEN ... 12 frets; 1 11/16" neck width at the nut; dreadnought depth; OM length; solid koa with adirondack top; ebony bridge with fossil ivory saddle and bridgepins; clear pickguard; abalone trim.

A bargain, at only $6 grand per.

moonjen

Subject: RE: Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 03:11 PM

So now you're ready to put in a legit press-fit endpin and you can use the screw type for the neck side. Nothin' to it.....You can use the hole you've made for a pilot.

Congrats Moonjens!!! Very well done.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 03:05 PM

Moonjen, did I remember to tell you about the thirty four guitars I cracked? Just kidding. Although I DID crack the neck of a Stella when I was sixteen. Didn't know about "pilot holes" then.

Rick

Subject: RE: Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade
From: bbelle
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 12:53 PM

hespy ... the standard is "whatever works." ~} Or are you telling me I won't need WD40 in Orillia?

moonjen

Subject: RE: Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade
From: Bert
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 12:53 PM

WD40 used to be used quite a lot in The Mudcat Tavern, ask Doug R, he knows all about it.

Subject: RE: Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade
From: hesperis
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 12:49 PM

bert - WD40??????!!!!! Bleeeeeecchhhh!

Subject: RE: Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade
From: Bert
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 12:30 PM

It's really scary at first but it won't be long now 'till you're quite happy hammering in a nail to start the screw. And as for measuring phooee, as long as it's somewhere near the middle. And you'll be saving the lubricant for other purposes;-)

Subject: RE: Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade
From: Sorcha
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 12:21 PM

Very Big Congratulations, jen!! I know it had to be one of those Heart in the Blender moments. Is it recorded for posterity? I sympathize, dear. I will never forget the first time I had to re set a fiddle bridge, all on my own.....oh, the horrors, the trembling, the FEAR!!!

Subject: RE: Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 12:14 PM

Well done moonjen! You have now attained level one and a credit cum laude towards a master's degree in instrument mutilation.

Even after 20 odd years, refretting some professional musos priceless axe still gives me the willies though! Thank heavens for brown ale!

mcmoo

Subject: Amateur Luthier Makes the Grade
From: bbelle
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 12:06 PM

This past weekend, I attained the status of "amateur luthier." It's not something I would recommend for just anyone :~} and certainly not for the "faint of heart." Sometimes, necessity becomes the empowering function in a situation like this. Below are two posts I made to the Flatpick L ... the "before I did it" and the "after I did it."

I'm feeling just pretty darn good about the whole thing ...!

"Tonight I am going to play my biggest role, yet. I am starring in the vignette "Amateur Luthier." I will be drilling a hole in the lower bout end of my new Larrivee so I can screw in a strap button. It looks to be a very simple procedure: drill-out - screw-in. Mario Proulx says: measure twice, drill once. Rick Fielding says: lubricate the drill bit and the screw - WD40 or spit will work. So, I have my instruments assembled: cordless drill and assorted drillbits; WD40; strap button; strap; antiseptic soap to wash my hands; plastic gloves; one bottle Honey Brown Ale (for the surgeon) to steady the hands. "No Guts - No Glory" ... truer words were never spoken."

"I did it!!! It took me all day and half the night to get me courage up, but I did it. I took everyone's advice: called the local luthier a few times-no answer (thank you Stan Rhoden); drilled holes in a piece of scrap, to see which drill bit to use, and tested strap button screw for "fit"{thank you Robert Orr); put a strip of masking tape over the spot to be drilled (thank you Bryan Kimsey); WD40'd the drill bit and screw (thank you Rick Fielding); measured twice and drilled once (thank you Mario Proulx). I held my breath and, with heart in throat, drilled the hole, and was so happy the drill went in and came back out with everything intact. Screwed in the strap button and Voila! ... a button on the end of my Larrivee to attach a strap. What a day this has been. I should sleep well tonight. Whew!!!!"

moonjen deftly still dislodging heart from throat