Things For Luthiers

Repair Technique

Setup

Tuning Gear Repair

Loose Tuner Bushings
New Plastic Tuner Button
Tuner Button Transplant
Tuner Button Shaft Repair
New Bone Roller
A Cracked Cog
Antique Tuner Bearing Replacement

Inlay

Reproducing Pearl Inlay
Moving a Fingerboard Inlay

Frets

Tool and Fixture Making

Very Thin Circular Back Saw
"Knife Scraper"
"Bridge Mill"
Centerline Finder
Truss Rod Die

Sanding Blocks
Knives

High Tech Department

Using Rare Earth Magnets

Magnetic Power
Molded Magnetic Cauls
Heavy Magnetic Clamping
Magnetic Spin Sander

Light Speed Repairs

Light Cure Nut Fill
Light Cure Finish Repair

Finish

Testing Finish with Acetone
Baldor and Me
Spray Gun Modification
Filling a Screw Hole
A Finish Flake
Amalgamating Lacquer
Drop Filling Lacquer
Lacquer Check
Steaming Out Dents
Stick Shellac
French Polishing
Razor Blade Scraping
"Dry" Staining
A Celebrity Signature

Removable Truss Rod
Broken Truss Rod

Structural

Glue

Using Hide Glue
Thickened Epoxy
Colored Epoxy
Leftover Epoxy

Guitar

Tuner Installation

"Downsizing" Tuners
Oversize Bushings
Filling & Drillling Slotted Headstock for New Tuners

Structural

Neck Reset Technique - 1935 Martin 000-28
Martin Neck Resetting - 1931 000-45 12-fret
A 1974 D-28's New Neck
Impossible Neck Reset - it's a Spanish heel!
1946 Epiphone Triumph
Taylor Neck Resetting - Bolted Butt Joint
Collings Neck Reset - Bolted Mortse & Tenon
1973 Gurian Neck Reset - Pinned Mortise & Tenon
Classical Guitar Fingerboard Wedge

Frets

Refret Technique
Refretting: 1935 Martin 000-28
Replacing Replacing Bar Frets

Celluloid Pickguards
Removing Self Stick Pickguards
Installing a Clear Pickguard
Regluing Martin Pickguards
New Pickguard Finish Fill

Bridges

Loose Bridges
Making a Saddle
Removing a Martin through-cut saddle
String Ramps for Steel String Bridges
Making a Martin Guitar Bridge
Rebuilding a Shattered Flamenco Bridge
Locating and drilling bridge pin holes in situ
Martin Guitar Bridge Blanks
Bridge Regluing
Correcting a Warped Bridge
A Bridge Upgrade for A Gibson Hummingbird
Carving the Martin Pyramid Bridge
Repairing an Ivory Bridge - Filling Screw Holes
more views of Gibson's mid 1960s bridge plates

Pickups

The Fishman Matrix Pickup
Through Saddle Pickup

Banjo

Five Star Planet Pegs
Resurrecting a 1960s Kay 5-string Banjo
Geared 5th String Peg
Resetting a Gibson Mandolin Banjo Neck
A 1905 Whyte Laydie Gets a Face Transplant!

Mandolin

Fitting Mandolin Bridges
Mounting a New Fingerrest
Raising Nonadjustable Mandolin Bridges
Vintage Tuner Repair
Hidden Serials in Old Gibson Mandolins

A Little Mandolin Repair on the Side
Gibson Mandolin Brace Regluing
Reinforcing the Sagging Top of a Gibson A
Truss Rod and Fingerboard Replacement
Some Nasty Top Damage
Loose Mandolin Binding
1920 Gibson F-4:A Bad Looking Peghead Break
Broken Peghead Scroll Repair and Reinforcement
Flatiron 3K: broken back brace
1906 Gibson A-4: Rebuilding a Collapsed Top

Frets/Fingerboard

Refretting: Gibson F-5
Scooping the Fingerboard End

Regluing a Ukulele Bridge
Crack Repair and Inlay
Hiding A Bad Break
Lowering Action at the Bridge

Harp

Repairing a Broken "T-Brace"

Case Repair

Preventing Neck Yoke Finish Damage
Modifying the Neck Support
Replacing Hinge Pins
Wow! It's a Banana Peel Rivet

Handles

Handle Post Loops
Relocating the Handle
Tightening ABS Molded Case Handle Hardware
A Simple Vinyl Handle Replacement

Tools

My WorkBench
Making a Fluorescent Inspection Light
Proportional Nut Spacing Rule
Fret Tang Tools
Kenny Hill's Spring Go-Bars
A one-use Molding Plane
Fret Heater
Modified Soldering Gun for Pulling Frets
Upgrading Loose Dremel Bearings
A Slo-Mo Stationary Belt Sander
Dry Pigment Storage Box
Selecting String Cutters
Fret Height Gauge
A Simple Magnetic Tool Fence
Taylor's Super Driver
Bent Tools
Shot Bag Neck Support
Half a Pencil
Bridge Carving Machine
Shop-built Semiautomatic Lining Kerfer
Gryphon's Fret Saw
Joint Knife
A Two Bit Finger Saver
Long Probes
Articulated 'Take-Apart' Crack Clamp
Clamp Points for easy positioning
Bench Clamps
Adjustable saddle routing base
Special & Modified Clamps
Refret Saw Guide
Roy Noble's Dremel Router Base
Bob Gleason's Nut Handle
Folding Inspection Mirror
Dan Erlewine's Rockin' Pin Puller
Steve Crisp's Classical Guitar Tuning Stand
Bridge Pin Hole Slot Saw
Making Ergonomic Tool Handles
Tim's Saddle Pal
Making My Fret Expander Pliers
My Favorite Power Tool
My Weirdest Power Tool
Dovetail Neck Removal Fixture
Neck Removal Air Harness
Some of My Favorite Stock Tools
Check out the Spy Cam
Taper Thickness Gauge

My Refrettimg Tool Kit

My Fret Tools
Neck Support
Fret Hammering Ballast
My Special Fret Tang Tools
Fret Pullers
Fret Cutter
Fret End Trimmer
Fret Slot Pick
Ergonomic File Handle
Steel Top Guards
Fret Hammers
Jack Plane Body
Special Fret Files

Traveling Tool Kit

Travel Tool Kit
Inside my Travel Tool Kit
Steel Rules
Lead Fretting Ballast
Neck Support Block
Pocket Knife
Tool Box
Tool Box, Drawer 1
Tape
Divider
Hemostat
Adjustable Angle
Scissors
Computer Mailing Labels
Micro Mesh
Steel Top Guards
Mirrors
Scraper
Palette Knives
Joint Knife
Razor Saw
Scribe
Q-Tips
Toothpicks
Razor Blades
Brush
Lampblack
Tool Box, Drawer 2
Fret Pullers
Fret Tang Expander and Compressor
Fret Slot Cleaning Hook
Fret End Nipper
Bridge Pin Hole Slotting Saws
Safe Edge Mill Files
Fret Filing Guard
Nut Files
Half Pencil
String Cutter
Fret Cutter
Violin Knife
Utility Knife
Bridge Pin Hole Reamer
Truss Rod Wrenches
Capo
10mm Nut Driver
X-acto Razor Saw
Tuning Fork
Screwdrivers
Fret Checking Straightedge
String Winder Crank
Fret Slot Bevel File
Fret File
Safe Corner Triangular File
Cantsaw File
Numbered Fret Block
Tool Box, Drawer 3
Crack Rods
Dial Caliper
Diamond Pocket Hone
Flashlight
Gelatin
Sandpaper
Chisel
Plastic Hammer
Ball Peen Hammer
Tool Box, Drawer 4
Low Angle Block Plane
Fret Heating Soldering Iron
Gryphon Strings
Cyanoacrylate and Polyethylene
Hacksaw
Shop Towels
Light Cable
Ergonomic Handle File
Electronic Tuner
Jack Plane Body

Technical Q & A

Luthier Technical Q & A

Shop Tips

More Tips and Tricks

Flush Cutting
Burnishing Dowels to Size
Paper Cutting on the Band Saw

Data

Calculating Intonation Correction
Truss Rods
My Bathroom Truss Rod

Selected Sources
Deionized Water
I'll stick with hide glue. . .
Heat Testing Glue Joints
Glue Chart
Good Old Shellac
Lampblack

Guitar

Taylor's New Neck Joint

Product Reviews

About the Reviews

Tools

Parrot Vise
Stew Mac's Rolling Jig
Bridge Pin Slotting Fixture
Wagner Safe-T-Planer
Roy Noble Router Attachment
Fret Checking Straightedge

Zinsser's Patent Shellac

Things For Musicians

Owner's Manuals

FRETS.COM Owner's Manuals
Guitar Owner's Manual
Classical Guitar Owner's Manual
Jazz Guitar Owner's Manual
Mandolin Owner's Manual
Banjo Owner's Manual

Frequently Asked Questions

Restringing Clinic

A Beginners Look at Strings
Steel String Guitar
Extracting Tight Bridge Pins
Slotted Headstocks
Restringing an Archtop
Restring Classical Guitar
Restring Your Mandolin
Banjo Restringing
Make Your Own Loop End Strings

General Maintenance

An Introduction to Instrument Finishes
Advice on Cleaning Your Instrument
Packing for Travel or Shipment
Heat Stress - It Kills!
Heat Damaged D-35
Vinyl is the Enemy
Looking at Cracks
Loose Parts Can Rattle and Buzz
Tapered Friction Pegs
Tune Up Your Gears!
Fixing Stripped Wood Screws
Label Your Instrument

Accessories

The Capo, Now and Then

What's WRONG with Cases?

What's WRONG with Chipboard Cases?
What's WRONG with Hardshell Cases?
What's WRONG with Molded Cases?
What's WRONG with Styrofoam Cases?
What's WRONG with Flight Cases?
What's WRONG with Gig Bags?
What's WRONG with Case Covers?

Instrument Setup

Looking at Frets
Buzz Diagnosis
Adjusting Truss Rods
Checking Action at the Nut
A Closer Look at Nuts
Reducing String Breakage at the Saddle
Quick Tricks for Better Setup
Watch Those Hands, Buster!
Everything about Strap Buttons

Acoustic Guitar

Examining Cracked Bridges
Looking at Saddles
Lowering Action at the Saddle
Making a New Saddle
Left Hand Conversion
A Gallery of X-Bracing
Checking Neck Angle
That Skin on New Pickguards
The Infamous "Key Crack"
Acoustic Guitar Tone Woods
A Survey of Acoustic Guitar Pickup Types
Scalloped Braces?
Guitar Sizes

Jazz Guitars
Selmer's Jazz Guitars
Archtop Guitar Setup

Banjo Types
Cleaning Banjo Heads
More Skin Head Cleanup
Banjo Practice Mutes
Keith Banjo Tuners
5-String Banjo Anatomy
Banjo Heads
Replacing a Banjo Head
Banjo Fifth String Nuts
Banjo Pegs
Banjo Fifth String Capo
A Banjo 5th String "Spike"
Fifth String Capo Trick
Prevent Bridge Sagging
Mounting Skin Banjo Heads
Nickel Plating
Banjo Coordinating Rods
23rd Fret

Mandolin Diversity
A Very Light Mandolin Bridge

Wooden Ukulele Pegs

My Field Trips

Tom Ellis Precision Pearl Inlay - Austin, Texas
Shubb Capos - Valley Ford, CA
Rick Davis, Running Dog Guitars - Richmond, VT
Ted Megas Guitars - San Francisco
Collings Guitars - Austin, Texas
Hideo Kamimoto's Shop - San Jose, CA
1999 Northern California Ukulele Festival
Taylor Guitars - El Cajon, CA
Northwoods Guitar Repair Seminar 1998 - Big Rapids, MI
Northwoods Seminar 2000
1998 Acoustic Guitar Festival - San Rafael, CA
Guild of American Luthiers Convention, 1998
Mario Martello - It's Super Mario!
Mario's San Franciscan
Bills ABC Music - San Bruno, CA
Joe Grubaugh & Sigurn Seifert, Violin Makers - Petaluma, CA
Down in Brian's Basement - Palo Alto, CA
Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery- Phoenix, AZ

Ed Claxton, Guitar Maker
Santa Cruz Guitar Company
Rick Turner Guitars
Jeff Traugott

Guild (Fender) Custom Shop
Gibson's Acoustic Factory at Opry Mills
A.S.I.A. Symposuim 2000
NAMM, July 1999
Marty Lanham's Nashville Guitar Company
Gruhn Guitars
Hatch Show Print

Allied Lutherie
C.Fox Guitars
L.M.I. (Luthiers Mercantile International)
Tom Ribbecke's Shop
1999 Acoustic Guitar Festival
2001 Acoustic Guitar Festival
2003 Acoustic Guitar Festival
Healdsburg 2003 Gallery
Healdsburg 2003 Gallery 2
Healdsburg 2003 Gallery 3

Special Features

C. F. Martin & Co., Nazareth, PA
Collings Guitars- Austin, TX
Gibson's Acoustic Instrument Division, Nashville
Guitar Building with Jeff Traugott
CFox Guitars - Healdsburg, CA
Vogel Guitars - Quito, Ecuador
Kamaka Ukuleles - Honolulu
Tacoma Guitar Co.
U.S.A. Custom Guitars

Repair/Restoration Blogs

1867 Martin 1-26
1940 Martin D-28
1937 Martin D-28
1920 Gibson K-2 Mandocello

A Quick Tour of Gryphon
Gryphon's 30th Birthday Party
Hey, it's Ramblin' Jack Elliot!
Cats and Jammers

About the Reviews
Guitar Finishing, Step by Step - by Dan Erlewine
Martin Guitars- by Richard Johnston & Jim Washburn

Gallery of New Instruments

Caution!
New Instrument Gallery

Guitars

Baby
Cowboy C-10
C-10
SJ-Deluxe
D-2H
Brazilian Baby
OM1A
C-10 Western
CJ Deluxe Sunburst

Brazilian Rosewood
'Spinach' Cedar
Zircote
de Jonge Cocobolo
Snakewood Bound Brazilian
Curly Burly Koa

Martin

D-15
SPD-16M
SP00-16RST
Terz
HD-28
Cowboy X
D-16BH
SPD-16K2
Special Figured Koa
From the Martin Custom Shop

Quilted Mahogany OM
Sunburst Maple H
Tony Rice D
FS - Fingerstyle
Brazilian Rosewood OM
Vintage Jumbo
Quilted Mahogany VA

Taylor

K-22
Baby
25DR (25th Anniv.)
Gallery: Koi
Jewel
Big Baby
414-CELTD
W-12-CE
710
NS-62CE
PS -14C
T5

Armstrong Yowl-A-Lele
Armstrong Keyhole Ukulele
Armstrong Doghouse Uke
Kamaka Ohta San
Kamaka Soprano Ukulele
Kamaka Tenor Ukulele
National Resophonic Ukulele
It's a FLUKE - 9/10/99
Uke brand Concert Ukulele
Ukiyo 'Vita Uke' Replica

Classical Guitars

John Dick Classical Guitar
Hill "London" Model Parlor Guitar
Hill "Torres" Classical Guitar
Richard Prenkert, Spruce & Rosewood

Archtop and Jazz Guitars

Collings 16" Archtop
Andersen "StreamLine"
Gibson 1934 L-5 Reissue
Sakashta "Emblem 5 Special"
Megas "Athena"
Moustache "Selmer"
Dupont MD-50 "Django style" jazz guitar

Waldman Gut String
Sullivan "Greenbriar"
Chanterelle Fretless
Deering Goodtime
Saga Banjo-Banjeaurine
Gourd Banjo by Robert Thornberg
Reiter "Whyte Laydie" 5-string Banjo
Gibson "Earl Scruggs" Mastertone
Deering Guitar Banjo
Deering Long Neck Banjo

Blue Lion 2R Dulcimer

Ethnic Instruments

Cuban Tres
Greek Bouzouki

Ramsay Instrument and Music Stands

Instrument History and Lore

Looking Backward at the 20th Century
The Way We Were... "obsolete" repair styles
Origins of the 12-string Guitar
The World's Oldest Guitar
Washburn Banjo

C. F. Martin & Co.

Martin's Current Top Bracing Patterns
History of the Martin Ukulele
A look at Martin Neck Reinforcement

Museum

FRETS.COM Museum
About The Museum

Guitars

Gibson

1933 Deluxe
1952 Triumph
1930s "Recording E"

c.925 Gold Leaf Decorated Washburn by Lyon & Healy
1930s Tonk Bros. #5246 Dreadnought
1930s Tonk Bros. #5240

Selmer

1932 Selmer Maccaferri "Modele Jazz"
Selmer Modele Orchestre
Selmer "Eddie Freeman" Tenor
1938 Selmer Round Hole

Various Antique Guitars

1785 Giovanni Battista
1811 Fevrot "Lyre Guitar"
In the Manner of LeCote
1836 LaCote
1848 Schmidt & Maul
1865 Tilton Patent Guitar
1870 Isaiah Arey
1891 Vinaccia
1901 "Wired" Guitar
Bohmann Harp Guitar
Harwood Rosewood Concert
1902 Anderson cutaway
A Fancy 19th Century French Style Guitar
Engraved Pearl and White Mastic "Factory" Guitar
1911 Gould Harp Guitar
Iucci Harp Guitar
Halbmeyer Harp Guitar
c. 1900 Regal Harp Guitar

Misc. Vintage Guitars

Classical Guitars

1942 Richard Jacob
1957 Ignacio Fleta
1951 Edgar Mönch
1970s Warren White

1972 Gryphon "OM"(rosewood)
1972 Gryphon "D" (walnut)
Gryphon's Stella 12-String Clone

Kay

Kay's Last Gasp

Interesting Modern Guitars

Rick Turner's Antarctic Special
Martin's "Backpacker"
Breedlove CM
->Armstrong Solid Body Electric
1999 Traugott Baritone
2000 Traugott "Millennium"
2004 Traugott 8-String
DeJonge "Double Top"
Larsen "Swingaway" Electric
2001 Matsuda "Experimental"
2002 Carlson Harp-Sympitar
1978 Collings 12-string
2000 Megas Jazz Guitar

Banjos

Gibson

1921 GB-4 Guitar Banjo
1920 TB-5 Tenor
1923 MB-3 Mandolin Banjo
1923 MB-4 Mandolin Banjo
1925 RB-3 "Ball Bearing" Mastertone
1928 TB-6 Tenor
1927 UB-4 Ukulele Banjo
1928 Florentine Plectrum
1933 RB-3
1928 Trujo "A"

1920s Weymann #4 Tenor

1920s Paramount Tenor Harp

Presentation Thoroughbred, c, 1888
Special Thoroughbred, c. 1900
Lady Stewart, c. 1900

Bacon

Professional "FF" c. 1910

1929 Silver Bell #1 Plectrum
B&D Silver Bell #3 Plectrum
1929 Silver Bell #4 Plectrum
Silver Bell #5 Plectrum "Sleepy Hall"
Silver Bell #6 Plectrum - Early Version
Silver Bell #6 Ne Plus Ultra "Frank Reino"
Silver Bell #6 Plectrum
Silver Bell #1 Guitar Banjo
Silver Bell Montana #1 Tenor

1875 Fairbanks - The First One?
1886 Fairbanks & Cole Piccolo
c. 1890 Fairbanks & Cole,
1892 Fairbanks "Curtis Electric"
1893 No. 3 Electric
1909 Whyte Laydie #2 - 8" head

Vega

Vega Tubaphone Guitar Banjo
1925 Tubaphone No.9
c. 1930 Tubaphone Deluxe Plectrum
1930s Vox III Plectrum
1960 Vox IV Plectrum
1966 Excel

1890s Eclipse Banjeaurine
1910 Eclipse

Vine Inlay Washburn

Other Old Timers

1852 Ashborn
1860 5-string by Milton Lash
1860s Minstrel Banjo
1870 Thomas Bree, San Francisco
Is this a Luscomb?
It's the 1910 Comet!
An Older Comet 1890s
1912 Essex Concert Grand
A Patent "Cantilever" Neck Adjustment
Maybell Ukulele Banjo
1920s De Wick Plectrum

1980 Gryphon Banjo (Water Lily)
1986 Gryphon Banjo (Sunshine)

Misc.

Bluegrass Banjo in the '60s
1968 Rickenbacker "Bantar"
The Amazing Merlin
1970s Dobro Banjo
2004 Gough "Presentation"

Mandolins

Gibson

Martin

1902 Style 4
1913 Style 6
1909 Style 1 Mandola
1923 "E"
1929 Style 20
1930 Style A-K
1951 Style 2-30
1959 Style "A"

1928 Style A Mandolin
1920s Style B Mandolin
1920s Style C Mandolin
1925 Style A Mandocello

1971 Gryphon #2
1973 Gryphon #3

Other Mandolins

C. M. DeJulio Mandolin
1900 C. DeJulio Mandolin
1900 Bauer Mandolin
1901 Bohmann
1907 Anderson. San Fancisco
A Mando-Tiple?
1926 Jaster, San Francisco
c. 1910 Victoria Piccolo
Weissenborn
1930 Regal "Reverse Scroll"
1990 Givens A-6
Nugget "Roman Numeral" F
1999 Unicorn&Mustang "Reverse Scroll"
2001 Newson Octave Mandolin
2000 Newson Guitar Shaped Mandola

Ukuleles

1961 Martin T-18
American Conservatory "Bell"
1920s Regal Tiple

1895 Zimmermann Concert Grand
Zimmermann "Miniature"

Other Patent Instruments

Dolceola
KeyKord Tenor Guitar
Marxolin
Violin Uke

Tin Fiddle
WW I, S. S. Stewart Mandolin-Banjo
1918 "Naval Guitar" Washburn
Cigar Box Fiddle

Banjo Headlights
The Grover Vibrator
An Original Compensated Banjo Bridge
Pittman 5th String Capo
19th Century Quick Change Guitar Tuning Gears
The World's Worst Capo?

1920z Muessehl & Westphal Musical Saw
Geza Burghardt's Amazing Lutherie Tools
A Well Traveled Banjo Case

Believe it or Don't

A trio of Fake Martins
Mid-Missouri Madness
The Gibson Tone Adjuster
Hand Cut Gears
Lark 3-hole Tenor Guitar
Rattlers

Museum Document Scan

1914 Gibson leaflet, "Action"
1915 Gibson Magazine Ad

Home Shop Tech

HOME SHOP TECH Articles

My Home Shop
Air Compressor Muffler
A "no-sew" Sandbag
Vinyl Chip Curtain
Another Goofy Towel Holder
Extra Work Space on Trash Can
Sky Cam

Handy Shop Tips for Everyone

#1 Sock Handle
#2 CD Paint Brush Can Cover
#3 Japanese Hand Saws
#4 Wax for Lubricating Saw Blades
#5 Pocket Knife
#6 Diamond Pocket Hone
#7 Air Blow Gun
#8 File Cleaning Trick
#9 Drilling Perfectly Clean Holes
#10 Clock Marker
#11 Disc Sander Cover
#12 Glue Thermometer
#13 Magnetic Fence
#14 Salad Tong Finger Saver
#15 Old Kitchen Knives
#16 Cutting Sandpaper
#17 Soundhole String Retainer
#18 Epoxy Leftovers
#19 Small File Handles
#20 String Crank
#21 Stain Palette
#22 Cotton Swab
#23 Portion Cups
#24 File Scraper
#25 Palette Knife Extension
#26 Saddle Contour
#27 Touch Up Lacquer Bottle
#28 Recycle Beverage Can
#29 Micrometer
#30 Toothbrushes
#31 Sander Safety
#32 Hemostats
#33 Compressed Air Lines
#34 Wine Cork Knife Point Protector
#35 Chisel Drawer Dividers
#36 Bent File Chisel
#37 Screwdriver Chisel
#38 Acetone Finish Test
#39 Bevel Fret Slot
#40 Solvent Cap Dispensing Cup
#41 Packing for Travel
#42 Pickup Brace Damage
#43 Coloring Glue
#44 Cutting Paper on Band Saw
#45 Quick Grip Brace Jack
#46 Wedge F-hole Clamp
#47 Guitar Wall Hanger
#48 Half Pencil
#49 Straw Pipette Extender
#50 X-brace Top Wrinkle
#51 Paper Pad Mixing Palette
#52 Fluorescent Replacement Bulbs
#53 Swing Arm Lamps
#54 Packing Pegheads
#55 Pyramid Bridge Clamping Caul - External
#56 Threaded Clamp Foot
#57 Masking Tape for Indexing Bridge
#58 Rubber Band Tuner Grommet Retainer
#59 Belt Sanding Celluloid
#60 Sharp Nut
#61 Side Crack Reinforcement
#62 Dry Pigment Sorting Block
#63 Paper Grain Direction
#64 Modify Drill Bit for Cutting Wood
#65 Fret Pullers Pull Other Things
#66 Heavy Duty Push Sticks
#67 Single Edge Razor Blades
#68 Acid Brushes
#69 Plastic Stretch Wrap for Tool Protection
#70 Bit Holder Blocks
#71 Cross Grain Sanding
#72 Truth in Labeling
#73 Plastic Wrap Glue Resist
#74 Cut Acid Brush
#75 Stretch Wrap Masking
#76 Spray Can Cap
#77 Spray Can Nozzle
#78 Kitchen Paring Knife for Shop Utility
#79 Powerless Belt Sanding
#80 Drill Index
#81 Grinder Support
#82 Leather Pliers Grip
#83 Paper Towel Holder
#84 Newspaper Drawer Liner
#85 File Handle
#86 Recycle Condiment Bottle
#87 Diagonal Cutter Selection
#88 Fatigue Mat
#89 Credit Cards
#90 PVC Shop Vacuum Tool
#91 String Retainer String
#92 Hex Wrench Rack Improvement
#93 Power Tool Casters
#94 Eyes and Ears
#95 Soft Vise Jaw Pads
#96 String
#97 Layout on Metal
#98 Storing Long Electrical Cords
#99 Hanging Coil Hoses
#100 Cutting Aluminum
#101 "Candling" Guitar Tops to See Brace Locations
#102 Locating and Tracing Braces with Magnets
#103 Foil Protection for Reamers
#104 Dry Sandpaper Lube
#105 Mixing Epoxy without Bubbles
#106 Spray Lube Siphon Tube Reinforcement
#107 Paper Towel Half Sheets
#108 Dusting Brush Modification
#109 Cutting Screws and Bolts
#110 Catalog Sale Flyers
#111 Gluing Bin Boxes
#112 Hacksaw
#113 Link Belt
#114 Freehand Band Saw Technique
#115 The Key Hole
#116 Ceiling Posters
#117 Magnetic Screwdriver
#118 Wide Disposable Brush
#119 Veneer Cutting on Band Saw
#120 Finding Center by Balance
#121 Hacksaw Duplicate Parts
#122 Chuck Key Magnet
#123 File Card for Cleaning Saw Blade
#124 Calculator Bag
#125 Door Storage
#126 Magnetic Pocket Screw Holder
#127 Paint Can Lid
#128 Quick Tape Strap for Sensitive Items
#129 Shop Vac Hose Strain Relief
#130 Coiling a Band Saw Blade
#131 Oil Spill Cleanup
#132 Wood Parallels
#133 Masking Tape Handles
#134 Wedges
#135 Tethered Door Stop Wedges
#136 Long Air Hoses
#137 Soda Straw Parts Storage
#138 Hanging Holes for Tools
#139 High Item Picker
#140 Tool Index Wood Infill
#141 Cardboard Drawer Liner
#142 Waste Basket Bungee
#143 Tool Covers
#144 Bungee
#145 Magnetic Bit Storage Drawer
#146 Platform Ladder
#147 Magnetic Tool Pickup
#148 Kitchen Hero - Cutting Board
#149 Kitchen Hero - Diamond Hone
#150 Photographs for insurance
#151 Unscrew Container Safely
#152 Little Boxes - Get Rid of Lid
#153 Swivel Casters for Tool Cabinets
#154 "Temporary" tool stands
#155 Tool Drawer Dividers
#156 Rope Trick: Cutting
#157 Broom Handle
#158 Hand Drill Countersink
#159 Using Digital Calipers
#160 Identifying Metric Hex Keys
#161 Dremel Carbide Cutoff Wheel
#162 Fence Hand Safety
#163 Empty Bin Boxes
#164 Cutting Bin Boxes
#165 Camphor
#166 Decant Epoxy to Avoid Quick Reaction
#167 Epoxy Mixing on File Folder "Palette"
#168 Wood Screw Pilot Drill Size
#169 Reverse Switch Safety Bolt
#170 Keyless Chucks
#171 Work Glove Storage Rack
#172 Cutting Spring on Grinder
#173 Stacking Tool Cabinet Bottoms
#174 Label Those Drawers
#175 Extra Drill Chuck
#176 Sauce Pan
#177 Ball End Hex Wrench
#178 Poly Bottle Bottom for Parts Washing Basin
#179 Square Bottle Bottom for Parts Drawer Bins
#180 Screws in Jars
#181 Salvage Hardware Drawer
#182 Cutting Long Cardboard Tubes
#183 Repetitive Length Cutting on Band Saw
#184 Mark Up Your Ruler
#185 Plastic Containers and Solvents
#186 Mobile Bin for Wood Scraps
#187 Scrap Bin Cover
#188 Scrap Bin Triage
#189 Ball Peen Hammers
#190 Old Rags to Prevent Under Bench Hunting
#191 Storing Magetic pickup tools
#192 Duct Tape Mallet
#193 Cut Down Old Paint Brush
#194 Plastic Bag Makes Emergency Glove
#195 Break a File to Make Short Ones
#196 Magnets to Hold V-Block
#197 Steel Rules May Have Poorly Cut Ends
#198 Buy Files by the Box
#199 Battery Charger Maintenance
#200 Extending Cable Ties
#201 Miter Gauge Alignment
#202 Recycle Paint Thinner
#203 Spray Can Freshness Reminder
#204 Pipette Sealing Trick
#205 Cookie Sheet Chip Pan
#206 Extension Cord Strain Relief
#207 Super Glue "String Needle"
#208 Heavy Duty Extension Cords
#209 Magnetic Book Hangup
#210 Paint Special Tool Handles for Identification
#211 Hang up those brooms
#212 Wood V-Blocks
#213 Miter Gauge Rip Fence
#214 Writing on Saw Table
#215 Saw Table Wax Lube
#216 Toilet Paper
#217 Dispensing Paint
#218 Cutting Short Pieces on Band Saw
#219 Recyled Cardboard Box Tote
#220 Phonograph Needle Scriber
#221 Wall Mounted Tin Can Tool Holders
#222 Dental Floss Sewing Thread
#223 Cut Paper Towel Roll
#224 Hand Tool Oiler for Rust Protection
#225 Tool Instructions Taped Inside Drawers
#226 Forstner Bits in Aluminum
#227 No-Mess Spill Wiping
#228 Roll Wrapper as Spill Wiper
#229 Shop Rags from Bed Sheets
#230 Cutting Shop Rags on the Band Saw
#231 Rubber and Vinyl Mats on Concrete Floors
#232 Tape for Removing Splinters
#233 Cutting Steel Wool Pads
#234 Paint Can Lid Installation
#235 Pouring from Gallon Cans
#236 Cutting Clear Plastic on the Band Saw
#237 Masking Tape Dispenser
#238 Toothpick Brush
#239 Bailing Wire Spool Retainer
#240 Twisting Wire
#241 Penetrating Epoxy Sealer
#242 Remove that Acrylic Plastic Protective Sheet
#243 Hex Key Cheater Bar
#244 Sand Bags
#245 Label Special Tools and Fixtures
#246 Masking Tape Storage
#247 Paraffin lube for Band Sawing Aluminum
#248 Special Push Sticks
#249 Paper Towel Core for Cord Storage
#250 Skinny "Paintbrush Broom"
#251 Blow out Shop Apron Pockets
#252 Buy Good Hacksaw Blades
#253 Grind the "Set" from Blades to Get Narrow Kerf
#254 Convertible Step Stool
#255 Photograph Your Work
#256 Sweep the Floor
#257 Tool Cabinet "Breadboard" Shelf
#258 Hang Goggles Near Tools
#259 Mark Edges to be Cut
#260 Garbage Can Table Top
#261 Magnetic Spray Can Holder
#262 Removing Box Labels
#263 Simple Dolly and Hoist to Move Heavy Items
#264 Recording Lent Tools
#265 Abrasive Paper for Sharpening Chisels
#266 Close the Gap on Grinding Wheel Tool Support
#267 Keep Band Saw Blade Guide Low
#268 Used Engine Oil for Shop Duty
#269 Shop Vac Hose Hanger
#270 Grinding Center Punch Point
#271 Pilot Drill Size for Large Drill Bit
#272 Reverse Drilling to Enlarge Hole
#273 Drill Clamp Feet for Accessories
#274 Glass Microscope Slide Scraper
#275 Bubble Wrap Packing Trick
#276 Cold Chisel Safety Tip
#277 A Really Simple Drill Guide
#278 Drill Press Center Finder
#279 Split Point Drill Bits
#280 Variable Pitch Band Saw Blade
#281 Guitar Strings for Other Uses
#282 Cyanoacrylate Catalyst Bottle
#283 Mangetic Holder for Small Parts
#284 Drilling Cotton Buffs
#285 Diamond Grinding Wheel Dresser
#286 Heat to Remove Sticky Labels
#287 Paint Metric Wrenches
#288 Stackable Cottage Cheese Containers
#289 Aligning Wood Screw Slots
#290 Drilling Round Things
#291 Screw Machine Length Drills
#292 Relief Cuts on Bandsaw
#293 Cross Cutting Long Board on Band Saw
#294 Glue Quick Grip Pads
#295 Resealing Caulk Cartridges
#296 Cyanoacrylate as Wood Sealer
#297 Messy Milling Project
#298 Drill Press Can Cut You When it's Turned Off
#299 Get a Big Vise
#300 Friendly Plastic Ergonomic Handles
#301 Mount Stuff on Cabinet Doors
#302 Wall Bumper Near Electrical Plugs
#303 Keep Dustpan in Trash Can
#304 Ice for Cooling at the Grinder
#305 Making Heavy Twine from Thin
#306 Ice Cube Tray Parts Storage
#307 Cable Ties for Hanging Tools
#308 Cleaning Measuring Tapes
#309 CD-ROM Canister for Adhesive Tape Storage
#310 Split Rivets
#311 Impact Driver
#312 Repetitive Bandsaw Cuts
#313 Old Shower Curtain as Tarp
#314 Replace Thumbscrews on Machines
#315 Have a Little Fun
#316 Magnetic Wrench Holders for Power Tools
#317 Measuring Centers on Uneven Sizes
#318 Reconditioning Sharpening Stones
#319 Magnetic Tool Holders for Drawers
#320 Improvised Masking Tape Bandage
#321 Lok-Line as Flexible Support
#322 Clamping with Drill Press
#323 Camera Tripod Stabilizing Weights
#324 Computer Labels for Drawers and Boxes
#325 Extra Casters for Welding Cart
#326 Use Long Screwdrivers
#327 Soaking Parts in Solvent
#328 Making Safe Edge Files
#329 Cut Cans for Shop Use
#330 Magnets for Bending in Vise
#331 Non Matching Handles are Best
#332 Steel Strap Shim Stock
#333 Stretch Wrap to Secure Solvent Labels on Cans
#334 Mark Pipette Graduations
#335 Keep a Shopping List
#336 Label Unusual leftover Hardware
#337 Magnet to Hold Abrasive Strips on Lathe
#338 Handle to Replace Thumb Screw
#339 Magnet Holds Water Bath on Grinder
#340 Magnets Hold Drill Index on Drill Press Table
#341 Label Grit on Sanding Belts
#342 Mouse Pads for Drawer Liners
#343 Cutting Shallow Notches on Band Saw
#344 Clearing Dispenser Bottle Opening
#345 Faucet Washer as Tool Foot
#346 1-2-3 Clamp It
#347 Tubing for Grinder Support of Thin Pieces
#348 Ring Testing Grinding Wheels
#349 Support Thin Stock for Drilling
#350 Digital Caliper as Tweezer
#351 High Speed Steel Taps
#352 Plastic Bag Thread Protection for Jars
#353 Shop Vac Sock
#354 Bandsaw Thin Stock on Edge
#355 Shop Towel Identification
#356 Pennies are Worth Having
#357 Bag Loose Wires and Cables
#358 Pizza Boxes
#359 Timer for Heat and Fan
#360 Cardboard Floor Mats
#361 Chip Curtain
#362 Cigarette Papers
#363 Age Date Glue Containers
#364 Don't Crumple Old Notes
#365 T-Shirt Tool Cover
$366 Liquid Hand Cleaner
#367 Shop Shelving
#368 Foot Control for Bench Vise
#369 Adjustable Wrench as Caliper
#370 Milk Carton Drawer Bins
#371 Long Bin Boxes on Narrow Shelves
#372 Pencil Sander
#373 Garage Sale Items Can Have Interesting Uses
#374 Hanging Rag Storage
#375 Note Holder at the Door
#376 Simple Upgrade for Quick Grip Clamps
#377 Keep Project Inspirations Handy
#378 Mark Source and Cost on Stock
#379 Label the Size of Staples in Your Staple Gun
#380 Easy Handle for Small Heavy Stock
#381 Check Steel Before Filing
#382 Paint with Your Socks
#383 Centering a Drill on Round Stock
#384 Impromptu Large Hex Key
#385 Cutting "Half a Kerf" on the Band Saw
#386 Squeeze the Last Bit out of a Glue Tube
#387 Use a Copier for Quick "Drawings"
#388 Measuring Over a Ledge
#389 Clean up "Spun" Drill Bit Shanks
#390 Changing the Zero Point on Graduated Dials
#391 Dispensing Small Amounts from Spray Can
#392 Paint Can Opener
#393 Broken Files are Handy in Close Quarters
#394 Buy Small Containers of Some Stuff to Save Money
#395 Kitchen Towels Have Four Lives
#396 Solvent "Recycling" Trick
#397 Still Hung Up on Rags
#398 Simple Leather Finger Saver
#399 Missing Stud
#400 How Much is Left in That Paint Can?
#401 Storing Spare Parts for Machines
#402 Label Adjustment of tools or Gauges
#403 Simple Grinder Safety
#404 Lubricate Wood Screws
#405 Break the Corner for a Tight Fit
#406 Weak Thread Locking Compound
#407 Rope Burn Trick

Magnets in the shop

Simple Chip Picker Upper
It's a Stickup
Portable Hex Key Rack
Hung Up and Brushed Off
Neoprene Sheeting for Swarf Protection
Phonograph Needle Scriber
Abrasive Paper Holder for Granite Surface Plate
Milling VIse Parallel Holder
"Overdone" Magnetic Chip Picker
Chip Protection for DRO Scales
Paper Towel Holder
Making Safe Edge Files
Magnetic V-Block
Small Soft Vise Jaws

Straight Knurling Tool for the Mil
Flush Cut Slitting Saw Arbor
Lathe Turning Tool Made From Old File
Audible Lathe Work Stop
Air Turbine Tool Post Grinder
Air Turbine Tool Post Grinder
File Cleaner
Socket Head Cap Screw Holders
Old End Mill Becomes Rotary Broach
Dedicated Chuck for Shortening Screws
Mini Hand Tapper
Solid Milling Machine Table Stop
Setting the Lathe Compound with a Sine Bar
Outside Jaws for Kurt Vice
Soft Parallels
My Six Inch Calculator
Lathe Cross Slide Lock
A Quick Change Indicator Holder
A Simple Reversing Switch Saftey Interlock
A Pair of SImple Chip Shields
There's a Midget Following Me
What to Do With a Giant?
Stepped Screw Plate
Milling Machine Light & Accessory Bar
Swing Arm Light for Mill Bar
Improving Import Cutoff Tool Holders
A circular Form Tool Holder
Lathe Compound Setting Block
Lathe Hand Tapper
Micro Tap Handle
Erickson R8 Collet Adapter
A "Wiggly" Lathe Center
A Really Simple Tap Guide for Mill or Drill Press
Disposable Milling Vise Soft Jaws
Tool Holder Inserts for Small Size Tools
Mill Knee Hand Wheel
Bench Vise Jaws
Another Reason Why I Love Collets
New Work for an Old Turret
Tram Eliminator
Simple Lathe, Spindle and Chip Tools
Lathe Tool Height Setter
Lathe Tool Rest
Carriage Stop
Vertical Band Saw Gravity Powered Feed

Lathe Technique

Interrupted Turning
Using the OMW Radius Turning Tool
Cutting Thin Wall Tubing

Milling Machine Technique

Checking Basic Mill Setup
Squaring a Rough Piece of Salvage Stock

General Shop technique

Shortening Very Small Screws

Step by Step Tutorial

A Basic Milling Project - The "Two-Slider"

Cracked Band Saw Blade
Lathe Safety Photos

Digital Caliper Cleanup
Easy-to-Make: U-Brackets
Faucet Washer Machine Feet
Getting a Grip on Thin Wall Tubing
Power Tapping on the Mill at 1500 RPM
Quick and Easy T-Slot Bolts
A Safe Lifting Grip for Milling Machine Vise
Cigarette Paper Substitute
Killing Rust While it Sleeps
PVC Shop Vac Crevice Tool
A Quickie Lathe Tailstock Drill Stop
Put a Cork in it. . .
Lathe File Holder
Lathe Tailstock Alignment Trick
Cookie Sheet Chip Pan
Quick and Easy Tool Post Alignment
Calculator Bag
Easy Drawer Organizers
Lazy Man's Tool Block Layout
Measuring a Taper
Quick Center Finding on the Mill
Another Quick Edge Finding Trick
Supporting Small Parts at the Grinder
Wet Sanding with Dry Paper
Drilling and Boring with One Tool
Using Wood Router Bits
A Simple Thread Restoring File
Hand Drill Countersink
Mini Parts Washer
Paint is Cheap
Tram Time?
Cleanup Brush
New, Improved Cutting Oil Bottle
Metal Salvage
Tangential Lathe Tool
Lathe Tool From Scrap
Deburring on the Lathe
Drill Index
Aluminum Foil Tool Protector
Put a Sock on it. . .
Centering a Rod in the Mill Vise
temporary digital readout

Knurled Nuts for Quick Change Tool Holders
A Pair of Big Brass Handles
Some Extra Capacity for the Baldor Buffer
Soft Jaw Pliers for Holding Screws
Adapting a Horizonal Milling Attachment
Not Another Chuck! — This one is for screws
Knurling the full length of a 3-ft 1/4" diameter rod
My Ultimate "Slo-Mo" Diamond Grinder
Indexing Ring for the Lathe
Improving the Mill Quill Lock
My New Bison Chuck
A New Boring Head Adjusting Screw
Lathe Tailstock Tool Holder
Some Banjo Wrenches
A Broken Milling Vise
"Indexing" a Swivel Base Vise
Rotary Table Fixture Plate
A Batch of R8 Milling Arbors
A Special Fly Cutter
A Fancy Swivel Grip Screwdriver
Hefty Tool Post Pedestal
Speedometer Cable End Former
A Replica 1890s Banjo Neck Attachment Wedge
Magnetic Spin Sander
Adapting a Chuck to "Set-Tru"
Making a set of Collets for Rambold
Forstner style wood bit
Making a Lathe Drive Center
MLA Filing Machine Kit
Bag of Hammers
Little Lead Mallet
V-Block Cross Drilling Jig
A Classic Little Exercise
Chuck Back Plate Conversion
Small Hook Bender
A "Big" Conduit Bender
Lightweight Camera Tripod Ball Head
Lathe Slotting Attachment
A 19mm x 2mm Tap
V-Block Bandsaw Cutoff Slide
Bridge Pin Lathe
Miniature Chain Hoist
Band Saw Table Insert
Bench Holder for Taper Mount Lathe Chuck
Some Ball Handles
A Fancy Thumbscrew
Extra Long Guitar Tuner Posts
Cycloid Banjo Peg
Vintage "Rope" Style Knurl

Projects I've done at TechShop

A Thread Spool Holder
Look, Ma, I'm a HVAC Tech
Mounting a New Lathe Chuck
A Special Step Pulley
File Rack
Rebuilding Samson's Tailstock
Another Samson Lathe Repair

Rickenbacher Horseshoes
Oettinger Tailpiece Screws
Vintage Style Guitar Bridge Pins
Vintage Style Banjo Nuts
Jack the Gripper
Swivel Feet for Small Clamps
Tapered Hawaiian Guitar Steel
Pearloid Handles!
Frank's Cranks

"Small Shop" Tools
Some Interesting Tools

Things to with Your Machines Turned Off
Mitutoyo's Least. . .
Renewable Cutting Board for the Kitchen
A "DYI" Project - The TIny Part Finder
Spray Can Cutter
Gym Sock Origami

An Illustrated Glossary
Archtop
Armrest
Backstrip
Ball End Strings
Bar Frets
Bearclaw
Belly Bridge
Binding
Birdseye Maple
Biscuit
Blind Saddle
Block Inlay
Book Matched
Bottleneck
Bout
Bowl Back
Box
Break Angle
Bridge
Bridge Pins
Bridge Plate
Button
Cantilevered Fingerboard
Capo
Celluloid
Check
Chipboard Case
Classical Guitar
Clown Barf
CNC Computer Numerical Control
Compensation
Cutaway
Dot Neck
Dovetail
Dreadnought
Ears
Edge Dots
End Block
End Piece
Endpin
Endpin Jack
f-Holes
Fan Bracing
Fiddleback Maple
Fifth String
Fifth String Capo
Figure
Fingerboard or Fretboard
Fingerpick
Fingerrest
Fingerstyle
First Position
First String
Flamed Maple
Flamenco Guitar
Flat Top
Flatpick
Flight Case
Frets
Gig Bag
Grain Runout
Hardshell Case Anatomy
Hawaiian Guitar
Hawaiian Nut
Heel
Heel Cap
Herringbone
High/Low Position
Hollow Body Electric Guitar
Ivoroid
Ladder Bracing
Lap Steel
Lining
Loop End String
Mitered Purfling
Mother-of-Pearl
Neck Block
Nut
Pearl Border
Peghead or Headstock?
Pegs
Pickguard
Pickup
Pin Bridge
Pinless Bridge
Purfling
Pyramid Bridge
Quilted Maple
Relief
Resonator
Resophonic
Ribbon Grain
Ribs
Rosette
Saddle
Scale Length
Scroll
Silk
Slack Key
Snakehead
Solid Body Electric Guitar
Spanish Heel
Steel
Steel Guitar
String Ramps
T-Bar
Tailpiece
Three Piece Back
Through Saddle
Thumbpick
Tie Block
Truss Rod
Truss Rod Cover
Volute
Waist
Which way is up?
X-Brace

About Me
What is FRETS.COM?
I'm on the cover!
Why FRETS.COM?
About the photographs. . .
Help!
Photo Studio
Contributors
my home shop this morning
Mario Martello 1924-2006
OOPS!
Resume

/Museum/Guitars/Interesting Modern Guitars/

Armstrong Electric

This was converted from the original Frets.com site.
To view the original page click here

A collaboration with Ralph Novak

OK, FRETS.COM is a strictly acoustic instrument site. But I couldn't resist this one. It's a matter of style. And if there's one thing this guitar has, it's STYLE. It's the product of the fertile imagination of cartoonist/illustrator/musician, Robert Armstrong. With the addition of the fan fret design and craftsmanship of Ralph Novak (Novax Guitars) this guitar became a reality.

Unless otherwise credited, all content on Frets.com is
Copyright © 1969 - 2023 Frank Ford
All rights reserved.