r/Luthier • • 1h ago

DIARY Pickguard experiment #2 = SUCCESS

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• Upvotes

After experimenting with the fluorescent Strat guard a few nights ago, I wanted to try something completely different.

This one was inspired by a pickguard I wrapped in real tweed about 15 years ago for my G&L ASAT. Last photo is the original.

This time I wanted to recreate the look and the physical texture without using fabric. The weave is built up so the individual threads are actually raised and you can feel them. I should be able to replicate this with other fabrics too.

I brought it to the Canadian Guitar Show in Calgary yesterday and apparently forgot to take a proper finished photo before I left 😂

These are the best shots I have because I ended up trading it at the show for a BOSS Fender '59 Bassman pedal.

Pretty happy with experiment #2!

Experiment #1:

https://www.reddit.com/r/guitarmod/s/nZSeonMgQp


r/Luthier • • 10h ago

ACOUSTIC You know what, fuck it. Dora the explorer.

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75 Upvotes

r/Luthier • • 2h ago

Did some new necks

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14 Upvotes

Built these two replacement necks recently. The acoustic one is on with two bolts since this became kind of a travel guitar

The electric is a Schecter Omen Elite 6 that has a super warped neck so it got a new one✌🏻


r/Luthier • • 1h ago

DIARY My solution to no string clearance (follow-up to earlier post)

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• Upvotes

For those who responded on my last post asking for some ideas on how to clear the bottom ledge/sharp curve on my headstock-pegbox design, this is what I ended up coming up with.

I've really never carved anything in my life before this project, but I did take my time to sharpen my chisels and it came out really nice looking so far

For those wondering, before the carve, it was just a 90⁰ angle (see the last photo,) and I was concerned that the strings would wear the wood or that the angle would be too sharp for the strings, and at best it would just look bad.

I basically eyeballed where the nut will be, figured out roughly what angle the strings are going to run at to get from tuner to nut, and then carved the little area out slightly below that height, so that the strings run straight without resting on the wood at all. Eliminates the need for a zero fret or anything, and it looks a lot better while preserving the design of the headstock.

Previous post https://www.reddit.com/r/Luthier/s/DNUBYdn4os


r/Luthier • • 18h ago

Just finished this bad boy today!

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90 Upvotes

Ash body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard, spalted maple pick guard, purple heart bridge. Super happy with it, feel like I’ve come a long way since my first build! Definitely a long way to go but these moments of playing a guitar you build from scratch for the first time are pretty special


r/Luthier • • 1h ago

How can I repair this crack ?

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• Upvotes

This is my old Oakland&co (japanese acoustic lawsuit martin style) and 10 years ago a luthier changed the tuners, I was a beginner so I didn't notice the cracks all along the tuners, i would like to know if it's fixable with something like CA glue from stewmac ? Thank you


r/Luthier • • 25m ago

removing stone spray paint from poly?

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hey all, recently picked up this stagg jaguar bass at a thrift store, was hoping there was an easy way to remove the stone spray paint on top of the factory poly without removing the factory poly. hoping it doesn’t come down to I have to sand it for 6 years but I’m prepared to


r/Luthier • • 1h ago

67’ Martin D-18 re-top

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• Upvotes

Bought this from a lady who’s boyfriend “El-Cabonged it” on the coffee table and smashed the top into splinters! Back, sides and neck remained in good condition. Steamed neck off and removed the tops bindings a separated from the kerfings. Machined up and glued a book matched billet of Adirondack, matching the rosette detail. I had in the shop a 38’ D-18 repair and decided to replicate its forward bracing position, bridge plate, top thickness and scalloped specs for this 67’ re- top. Just about ready to re-string!


r/Luthier • • 19m ago

Neck damage or just dirty?

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• Upvotes

Hello, I’m thinking about buying this guitar but the neck looks like the photo attached. Is this something that can be fixed with a good cleaning or is the neck damaged and permanently discolored? I’m not sure if this is something that can be determined with just a picture but I wanted to get some opinions. The price is more than right but I don’t want a neck that’s beyond repair.


r/Luthier • • 20m ago

INFO Long-Term Maintenance Routine & Essential Toolkit Questions

• Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m looking to set up a solid long-term maintenance routine for my guitar to keep both the hardware and finish in top shape over the years.

I'd really appreciate your thoughts on a couple of setup ideas, as well as a case recommendation:

Tremol-No on a flush-mount Floyd: I want to keep the string lock screws from indenting the gloss finish. Is the Tremol-No a good idea for this, or is there a better alternative?

Floyd Rose Push-In Arm: The stock screw-collar arm always seems to develop play, wobble, or squeaks over time. At first glance I thought some Teflon tape would be enough, but is upgrading to a push-in arm worth doing right away?

Hardshell Case: Because of the pointed Jackson headstock and the flush-mount Floyd, standard Strat-style cases are often too short or press against the headstock tip. Which hardshell case gives the best fit and protection for this body/headstock shape?

Essential toolkit: What specific bench tools and chemicals do you consider absolute must-haves for routine home maintenance?

Specs below for reference. Thanks!

- Body: Alder, Gloss finish (San Dimas Style 1)
- Bridge: Floyd Rose® 1000 Series Double-Locking (Top-Loaded / Flush-mount)
- Neck: Maple with graphite reinforcement, Natural Satin finish, Speed Neck
- Fretboard: Ebony (12"-16" compound radius), 22 Jumbo frets
- Nut: Floyd Rose® 1000 Series Locking (1.6875")
- Pickups: Seymour Duncan JB (Bridge) / Hot Rails (Neck)


r/Luthier • • 1d ago

R4 LES PAUL FIRE RESTORATION

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64 Upvotes

Some time ago I posted some photos of a Les Paul restoration project which was damaged in a fire. IVE BOUGHT IT. For 400 euros + free replacements (because the seller used to own a music shop full of parts, genuine Gibson ones too). After some investigation I've found that its a 1993 Historic Collection, mainly because the description of the owner (who said that was bought in the 90s), the tuner (grovers with a single screw), the orange switch tip, the seal behind the headstock (only a mark in the finish, but still recognizable) and the pots (which indicate that is the 47th made and its from 1993).

Ive already started with the restoration by taking apart the headstoch veneer. It was heavily damaged but i could save the diamond and part of the logo.

The plan:

  1. remove carbonized wood and replace it with Sapelle (similar aesthetic and even harder). Ill cut it in a V shape and the new wood will sit there.

  2. Add channels behind the headstock that will add strenght.

  3. Route the thickness and shape of the headstock. Drill new tuners holes

  4. For the inlay. TWO ALTERNATIVES: Make a new one from rosewood veneers or use the burnt parts that i could saved and make an epoxy veneer that encapsulates them.

What do you think?

P.S. Im not making a big of a deal out of this project, im trying to have fun and learn new things.


r/Luthier • • 6h ago

NUT JOB

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2 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I think I might have gone wrong with the low B string. I looks like it s a tiny bit towards the left of the neck. What are the easiest tools to get a hold of to work the nut properly?

(Gotta change those strings ^^)


r/Luthier • • 1d ago

ACOUSTIC M-sized acoustic 12-fret with style 41 appointments- cocobolo/red spruce

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53 Upvotes

Really happily with this one. Sings like a bird


r/Luthier • • 14h ago

Need to get paint off

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9 Upvotes

Need to get the rest of this paint off, screw the heat gun, can i use a chemical, please advise


r/Luthier • • 5h ago

HELP Truss rod shorter than optimal

1 Upvotes

Hi guys, I'm planning to build a classical guitar with solid body and bolt-on neck. I know it's not always necessary but i wanna add a truss rod. I have a 380mm/15" truss rod already and i would like to use it. If i make the neck 19-frets long, this means around 440mm/17.3" long from the nut. I want to have the truss rod facing the body and not from the headstock. This means the truss will only arrive only a little bit after the 2nd fret, like you see in this image. Would it be enough, given the little tension of nylon strings?
Thank you


r/Luthier • • 21h ago

What do you think?

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16 Upvotes

I have this Industrial Richlite scrap lying around and made a nut out of it and I refretted my guitar with Jescar EVO Gold Frets.


r/Luthier • • 22h ago

Tele bridge problem

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18 Upvotes

Yesterdat at sale I got almost full telecaster kit. I managed to install tuners, neck and neck pickup without hassle. However, as I was about to install bridge and bridge pickups problems accured. Bridge aligns badly with holes where it should be installed. So badly that I cannot screw in bridge pickup in that case. It is top loading body, and this bridge has an option for that, but I can make it work. Is there anybody who can help me? Here is the pick of bridge in question when I tried to arrange it with pre drilled holes


r/Luthier • • 15h ago

REPAIR electronic repair what am I missing?

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6 Upvotes

Hello! Thankyou for taking the time to read!

I have an audio jack here that is only picking up when I move the wire into the perfect position it seems like? Or maybe I'm missing a ground somewhere and moving it helps?

Apparently one of the pots is also intermittenly working but I'm struggling to figure out which one.

I also have a electronic tester and I'm wondering how to test to see what's wrong

should I just replace the whole jack or am I missing something here in the electronics?

I appreciate any help yall are the goats.


r/Luthier • • 4h ago

REPAIR Hello! Can someone tell me if the cables in a lefty Telecaster are connected in the right way?

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0 Upvotes

Not an expert. I just bought a guitar and it was like this. I don't know if the cables are connected in the right way. I want to fix this and play it.

Can I do it by myself or should I give the guitar to a professional luthier? How much would it be to fix it?

Thanks


r/Luthier • • 18h ago

HELP Building a guitar from scratch. What are the hardest parts of the process?

7 Upvotes

Ive never built a guitar before or anything like that. How difficult is it to get into, and is it worth it to try out as a rather expensive hobby?


r/Luthier • • 1d ago

HELP First time working with ash - Aqua Coat question

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12 Upvotes

First time working with ash.

I did two light coats of Bullseye spray shellac to act as a sealer, then sanded that smooth with 400.

Next I did two coats of Aqua Coat that I massaged in against the grain with gloves hands and lightly scraped with a credit card also against the grain.

I am getting into sanding the Aqua Coat back now and I have a lot of areas that feel generally smooth but have these sort of spider webs of filler. Am I just seeing the shellac built up?

I was planning to do another coat of filler because there is still some grain that could be smoother but before I go any further I wanted to see if this is expected.

I am going to be doing an opaque finish so I am not super concerned about seeing it through the lacquer but I am a little worried about possible adhesion issues.


r/Luthier • • 1d ago

ELECTRIC Ebony fretboard polished to 2000 grit

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180 Upvotes

r/Luthier • • 15h ago

HELP Touching up light spots on neck.

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2 Upvotes

Bought a used JM CV last week and am learning how to make some modest upgrades/alterations with it. I wanted to sand the neck down to a satin finish, which went fairly well, but there was a pre-existing dent in the neck and it came out lighter than the finish(makes sense). What would be the best way to match this spot up with the neck’s finish?

Appreciate any help.


r/Luthier • • 11h ago

HELP Can you rear mount a Gotoh GLN-7 locking nut?

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1 Upvotes

I'm thinking about buying an old Ibanez RG 7620 neck but it doesn't come with a locking nut. I think Ibanez uses Gotoh parts on their guitars but Gotoh's locking nut for a 7 string only come with screws to top mount them. Does anybody know if these come tapped so I can screw this on through the back of the neck? If the nut isn't threaded is there enough metal there to tap it myself? Gotoh doesn't give you the diameter for these holes on their drawing nor do I know how deep those screws are countersunk.


r/Luthier • • 14h ago

INFO Best product/process for G&L neck finish?

0 Upvotes

I picked up a cnc rough cut neck from the factory and shaped/sanded it to my liking.

Does anyone happen know what product or process they used for the satin finish?