Classic Guitar Construction
by Irving Sloane
This is the book that really started it for a lot of people. A little out of date, but a good starting point for your research. Look in most any library. Nice discussion of past masters instruments.
(E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc. - LoC 66-14680)
Steel-String Guitar Construction
by Irving Sloane
Companion to the above book. Once again, a little out of date, but the section on archtop guitar construction was unique until Benedetto's recent book, and is a great look at the work of a master builder (James D'Aquisto). Neck joint could be adapted to the neck-bolt method.
Steel-String Guitar: Construction and Repair
by David Russell Young
A improvement over Sloane's, lots more detail, still a little lacking, but I personally attest a guitar can be built from this book (although I don't recommend his neck joint unless you modify it to a Taylor-style bolted joint). Another good reference book - a traditional dreadnought shaped guitar.
(Chilton Book Co. - ISBN 0-8019-5959-4)
Classic Guitar Making
by Arthur E. Overholtzer
A very comprehensive book, although the author definitely has his own ideas on bracing and top construction. A very 'talky' book, once again a bit out of date, but worth reading if you can find it in your library.
(Brock Publishing Co. - ISBN 0-930534-00-X)
A Guitar Maker's Manual
by Jim Williams
A pretty useful book - very focused, lots of pictures. The author describes the process for building both a steel-string and a classic. Some of the processes are idiosyncratic (as usual) such as the use of a classic-style neck joint for both styles of guitar. The step-oriented layout is appreciated. This book also includes plans for a basic version of the universal sidebender. Well worth checking out.
(Guitarcraft (Hal Leonard Publishing Corp.) - ISBN 0-95890-750-1)
Guitarmaking: Tradition and Technology
byWilliam R. Cumpiano and Jonathan D. Natelson
The guitarmaker's bible. The single most informative and comprehensive book available. If you can get or read just one book on guitarmaking, this is the one. As seems to be usual, the neck joint is individualistic - pinning the neck to the neck block. Why has nobody shown the single most commonly found neck joint - the basic dovetail? Still, the definitive book. Cumpiano occasionally contributes to the rec.music.makers.builders newsgroup.
(Chronicle Books - ISBN 0-8118-0640-5)
Making an Archtop Guitar
by Robert Benedetto
As definitive for the archtop as Cumpiano's book is for the flattop. A little vague in some areas, so it would be a good idea to read some of the other books available to fill in the minor gaps. If you want to build an archtop, this is it - fortunately this is great book.
(My copy is signed by the master - cool!)
(Limelite Press - ISBN 0-9639771-0-5)
Make Your Own Electric Guitar
by Melvyn Hiscock
The best book I've run into for building electric guitars - until the updated version comes out, anyway. Discusses building several types of solidbody electrics , including a set-neck carved top, a pseudo-tele, and a bass. Covers all aspects. Author is frequently available on the internet in rec.music.makers.builders.
(was that good enough, Melvyn??)
(Sterling Publishing/Blandford - ISBN 0-7137 1706 8)
Making Musical Instruments
edited by Charles Ford
Interesting, if not terribly useful. I wouldn't want to try to build anything from this book, but it does provide an overview of Lute, Viol, Classic Guitar, Violin and Harpsichord making.
(Pantheon Books (Random House, Inc.) - ISBN 0-394-73561-7)
Making Stringed Instruments: A Workshop Guide
by George Buchanan
Mainly information on making fiddles, but additional stuff on Mandolins, Classic Guitar and Archtop Guitar. The fiddle stuff is okay, some of the tools are useful, but the guitar stuff is pretty useless.
(Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. - ISBN 0-8069-7464-8)
Making a Bluegrass Mandolin
by Roger Siminoff
Great book on building an F-5 style mandolin. Of course, it's the only book on building an F-5 style mandolin. A good chapter on hand-staining a sunburst finish. As usual, the neck joint is not standard - I suggest using a couple of screws in addition, or essaying a dovetail joint.
(Old looseleaf version from North American Publishing Co. - anyone have the info on the current version?)
Making Folk Instruments in Wood
byDennis Waring
A decent starting point in instrument making, especially for something simple like a Dulcimer, although it does have a decent-looking Celtic Harp.
(Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. - ISBN 0-8069-7540-7)
The Art of Inlay
by Larry Robinson
A well written book on inlay - pearl, wood & metal. Great pictures.
(Miller Freeman books - ISBN 0-87930-332-8)
Pearl Inlay
by J. E. Patterson
Good book on all aspects of working with mother-of -pearl and abalone - from slicing shells to producing strips and diamonds to inlaying
(J. E. Patterson )
The Band Saw Book
by Mark Duginske
A great book on setting up and maintaining a bandsaw, as well as ways to use it.
(Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. - ISBN 0-8069-6398-0)
Woodshop Jigs & Fixtures
by Sandor Nagyszalanczy
A very useful book, with useful jigs, as well as discussion of why and how to develop jigs for any situation.
(The Taunton Press - ISBN 1-56158-073-2)
Lutherie Tools
edited by Tim Olsen and Cyndy Burton
Lots and lots of great tool ideas.... and definitely aimed at luthiers. Well worthwhile.
(Guild of American Luthiers - ISBN 0-9626447-0-6)
Lutherie Woods and Steel String Guitars
edited by Tim Olsen and Cyndy Burton
Lots of information on guitar woods.... as well as discussions of steel string design and construction. Includes a treatise by Jimmy D'Aquisto on (you guessed it) archtop guitars. Worth getting.
(Guild of American Luthiers - ISBN 0-9626447-1-4)
The Workbench Book
by Scott Landis
Very useful book with lots of good ideas... and a section on luthier's workbenches. It discusses Richard Schneider's, Mark Stanley's and Ervin Somogyi's work benches and work areas.
(The Taunton Press - ISBN 0-918804-76-0)
Complete Woodfinishing
by Ian Hosker
A decent book on general finishing, with a good section on French Polish.
(Guild of Master Craftsmen Publications Ltd. - ISBN 0-946819-33-5)
The Woodfinishing Book
by Michael Dresdner
A good book covering the process of general finishing, including a great discussion of just what the different types of finish really are, and where they are best used, as well as filling, application and repair.
((The Taunton Press - ISBN 1-56158-037-6)
The Handplane Book
by Garrett Hack
An excellent book covering the history and wide variety of planes, where they came from and where they are best used, including setup, as well as discussion of some contemporary makers. Very nice - lots of lovely pictures. .
((The Taunton Press - ISBN 1-56158-15540)
The Complete Guide to Sharpening
by Leonard Lee
A comprehensive book covering the process of sharpening a great variety of tools (pritnear everthing, as we say in Texas), including a comparison of different sharpening stones. If you spend as much time using planes, chisels and scrapers as I do, it's a very useful book.
((The Taunton Press - ISBN 1-56158-067-8)
Magazines I find of lutherial interest:
American Lutherie
Guild of American Luthiers
Just chock full of info...... 8222 South Park Avenue Tacoma, WA 98408-5226 4 issues/year Included in membership - 39$ a year
(I should include ASIA's magazine.... I guess I ought to join someday)
Fingerstyle Guitar
Fingerstyle Guitar Publications
Detailed discussion of one or two different builders most issues. 7620 Delmonico Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 6 issues/year 29.95$/year
20th Century Guitar
Seventh String Press, Inc.
Usually some article of interest about builders - emphasis on archtops. 135 Oser Ave. Hauppauge, NY 11788 12 issues/year 23.95$/year
Acoustic Guitar
String Letter Publishing, Inc.
Frequent articles on guitars, woods and builders. 412 Red Hill Ave. #1 San Anselmo, CA 94960 12 issues/year 29.95$/year
rec.music.makers.builders
Internet Usenet Newsgroup
Lots of discussion, some really knowledgeable people hang out there. Updated daily Most Internet accounts and online services.
I personally have found the ideas in these books to be useful, and possess copies of almost all of them. There are other books out there - email me your own reviews of any you've found useful. Send Email to drfuzz@aol.com.
Addendum - people keep telling me about other books (the recommendations for Hiscock's book were appreciated), but nobody ever sends in a review... and that's all I ask.
(Note: If you receive no response to your Email, please try again... and forgive my incompetence)
Dr. Fuzz - June 1998
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