Luthier Discussion Workshop

Inside the Luthier's World

Guitar Repair expert Adam Frumhoff will discuss different  parts of the guitar and their role in the production of sound. Come learn about how guitar builders shape the sound of their instruments during the build process, and what can be done in the repair shop to alter and increase your instrument's tone. Topics of conversation will include bracing and internal structure, wood types, finishes, saddle and nut materials, and even different types of glue.  Other topics such as humidity and care will also be discussed.  Join us this Sunday, February 24th in the Custom Sound Instruments repair shop for this informative seminar. We have limited space for this workshop. Please call or come by the store to RSVP.

 

 

ONE-DAY-ONLY SALE ! ! !

This Friday, February 15th, we're having a 20% OFF Store-Wide Super Sale. We'll be open until 7:00pm... the day after Valentines Day.  There will be additional instruments and amps with blow-out discounts up to 1/2 OFF! 
 

Favored Acoustic Pickups

The Magic of Dual Source Systems

                         
What is a dual-source pickup system?  Glad you asked! A dual source pickup is simply two different pickups inside your guitar, configured and mixed to produce one blended signal of tonal awesomeness.  The blending of the two signals can be done automatically with an internal preamp. However, more advanced systems allow the player to mix the signals manually and get the exact blend desired.  I have three units I'd like to share with you.  

We'll start with what is currently my top pick.  L.R. Baggs is in the habit of redefining the world of acoustic amplification, and two of their systems are featured in this discussion.  My favorite is the Anthem System, which combines an under-saddle transducer (often referred to as a piezo pickup) and a specialized microphone attached to the bridge plate.  The unique aspect of the Anthem is the microphone, coined "Tru-Mic Technology," this is not your ordinary mini-microphone. This mic is extremely resistant to feedback, and the system in general is excellent at reproducing the natural voice of your instrument. The Anthem comes in two configurations-- one gives the user an additional control to blend the transducer and mic signals manually.  The simpler version (called the Anthem SL) handles the blending for you and has a volume control.  $219 - $299 plus installation.

 

The next pickup is completely unique in its signal sourcing.  The L.R. Baggs M80 soundhole pickup is unlike any other soundhole pickup design.  The primary signal source is produced from a magnetic pickup, (like other soundhole pickups and electric guitar pickups.)  The metal strings disturb and vibrate a magnetic field in order to produce electrical current in a coil of wire. But the second signal source is where things get interesting.  The M80 is constructed to sense the vibrations of the guitar top through the mounting wings, which clamp down on the soundhole edge.  This gives the pickup a microphone-like quality, blending the magnetic signal with the vibrations of your guitar.  This pickup is excellent at louder stage volumes.  $249 plus installation.

 


A traditional favorite of mine is the Fishman Ellipse blend system, based on the famous Fishman Matrix.  I especially favor two things about this pickup.  The microphone is directional-- you can move it to find the "sweet spot" in the guitar-- meaning you can "tune" the microphone for best placement. 

I also prefer the sound of the Fishman transducer in most guitars-- especially considering the Fishman transducer doesn't change the acoustic tone of your guitar as much as the Baggs transducer.  I've been installing this pickup for the better part of a decade, and the only complaints come from musicians who are playing at loud stage volumes. At lower and moderate sound levels, this pickup is the way to go... fingerstyle players, hint, hint...

Guitar Surgery Article

A Formidable Challenge:
  Side Reconstruction on a Taylor 814c

(Click images for larger view.)

by Ryan Elewaut

A customer in Sedona emailed me out of the blue last year. He included an eBay link and asked my opinion, "Is this fixable?"  He wanted to buy this guitar, but only if it could be restored-- and he needed a fairly solid quote to gauge whether or not this was a good investment. I looked carefully at all the pics posted on the eBay auction, and pondered for awhile. 

This was not an easy estimate. I   thought through the procedure with only these pictures to guide me, and proposed an estimate. The customer and I decided yes, it was worth it and I was up for the challenge.  My estimate was reasonable enough to allow the customer to cross his fingers and buy the guitar online, knowing the investment in the repair would still net him a great value for such an instrument.  Keep in mind, this expensive guitar was flawless and like new, except for the huge broken hole at the cutaway.

The story was that someone had bought this guitar in about 2007 and shortly thereafter, dropped a dumbbell on the cutaway area, straight down on the side.  The guitar was then put in a closet and forgotten about. I imagine the sickening feeling in the original owner's stomach lead him to simply hide the reminder of such a tragedy.

 
The customer who bought it on eBay after consulting with me had it shipped directly to the shop.  It quickly became one of those jobs you put on the bench just to stare at it for long periods of time- multiple times- before the work even begins.  I already had a general idea about the approach from the pics, but now I had to really detail the procedure in my mind before starting; there were so many different breaks and cracks, inside and out, including internal bracing and top and back seams. 

It was also nice to find some of the puzzle pieces rattling around inside the guitar. I decided to glue most of the fracture with CA glue (cyanoacrylate, high grade super glue,) which has the advantage of drying fast and buffing like lacquer.  The CA glue can also be used to topcoat an area, like a finish. I was able to gently force the wood back into place as I glued different parts, attempting to do so in the opposite order from how it compressed and fractured. I also used standard wood glue for a few areas, such as the back/side separation at the binding, and the internal reinforcement.

 

I knew before starting that the inside would need to be reinforced-- I just wasn't sure of the best way to go about it.  After slowly piecing everything back together, light could be seen passing through the cracked area.  I found black burlap material at the fabric store, saturated it in wood glue, and then pasted it inside of the cutaway area.  This was done twice, creating two rigid layers to protect the fragile area. Any and all pin- holes were filled and buffed, and made invisible by the dark burlap cast inside.

After a lot of fine sanding, scraping, and buffing, the finished job looked excellent. The customer and myself were both surprised and pleased by the result.    

 

I set it up with a compensated bone saddle and installed an L.R. Baggs Anthem acoustic pickup system as well.  It sounded absolutely amazing and played the same.  I was very happy to bring this guitar back to life.

Hey! It's almost like a new 814ce now, but for half the price when all was said an done!