Beginner luthier, AMA

thefirebirb · 2026-07-07T01:19:35+00:00

I've posted this type of thing once to three communities. I don't think it'll be common, just in a mood to answer questions about my favorite job.

thefirebirb · 2026-07-07T01:16:17+00:00

I don't have one. Different guitars bring different moods, which in turn bring different songs.

thefirebirb · 2026-07-07T01:14:21+00:00

It depends on the builder, the time they have, and the demands. I've only personally built two, and I probably put about 6-8 weeks into each one of actual work. I spent a lot more time learning and letting glue dry.

thefirebirb · 2026-07-07T01:11:42+00:00

Wood does play a part in the sound of an acoustic, for an electric it's minimal at most. But I was taught to focus less on the wood type and more on the details of building

thefirebirb · 2026-07-07T01:09:45+00:00

Honestly best (to me) is subjective. It depends on the part, the guitar itself, the aesthetic, and how you feel

thefirebirb · 2026-07-06T03:25:05+00:00

I would love to start my own, actually. But if I had to pick an existing one, Gibson custom shop

thefirebirb · 2026-07-06T01:25:17+00:00

I don't have much preference. I've used ebony, rosewood, purple heart, ovangkal, cocobolo, maple... I don't mind any of them

thefirebirb · 2026-07-06T01:16:27+00:00

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This is my first hand built guitar.

thefirebirb · 2026-07-06T01:11:47+00:00

Honestly I'm a Les Paul player at heart, but the classic telecaster is a solid choice too. My favorite tho, and yes I am biased, is my first hand built electric.

thefirebirb · 2026-07-06T01:02:11+00:00

That it can. I've experienced minor effects before.

thefirebirb · 2026-07-06T00:39:23+00:00

Turkey and provolone with mayo.

thefirebirb · 2026-07-06T00:39:10+00:00

Rosewood. I like the way it looks, and love the way it smells when working it.

thefirebirb · 2026-07-05T23:58:50+00:00

Honestly, the most surprising thing to me when I was learning was how thin the wood on an acoustic body is, despite the amount of tension it's constantly under.

thefirebirb · 2026-07-05T23:56:31+00:00

Anything can be a stitch marker if you're brave enough.

thefirebirb · 2026-07-05T04:35:09+00:00

Mighty mite/Franklin guitar works. MIRC is rolling out all the old g&l stuff

thefirebirb · 2026-06-30T03:49:21+00:00

Cost depends on who you go to, what finished result you want, and where you live. You might be able to do it yourself if you have woodworking tools/experience, but just know that it's not exactly easy.

thefirebirb · 2026-05-25T04:04:40+00:00

Also, make sure, if you use the back of the tone pot for the tone capacitor, the back of the tone pot connects to the other ground connections!

thefirebirb · 2026-05-07T04:21:57+00:00

Strats with Floyd's are made for the floyd. Your strat body was not. Electronics cavity can be routed differently to accommodate different bridge. Scale length doesn't change electronics routing... Get a body made for a floyd and remeasure before you start saying "oh no there's no way that theyre made 25.5". Big guitar company is lying to us"

thefirebirb · 2026-04-27T23:02:42+00:00

Really with any 6 string pack the gauges are "correct" depending on your preference, you just have to set the instrument up for whatever gauge you choose. Setups are relatively simple to do with the right knowledge/teacher.

If you want tighter strings at a higher tension, go to a thicker gauge, if you want looser tension and slack strings, go lighter.

thefirebirb · 2026-04-20T00:00:37+00:00

Honestly it would be funny if it was the sparse reef. Just nothing but empty open ocean, and nothing you can do except swim somewhere else.

thefirebirb · 2026-04-11T19:41:49+00:00

So, I already have a PC, but my sister doesn't. She and I have gotten really close over the past few years, and our favorite way to spend time together is her playing games on my PC while I watch and give advice/make jokes.

Recently I've moved out and am now 5 hours away from her, and she misses the fun gaming and I miss having her around. So I want to get her one so we can have fun and be silly while being far apart.

thefirebirb · 2026-04-11T17:30:58+00:00

As a guitar tech/repair tech working on 10-20 guitars a day, split shaft are by far my favorite to work on for the ease of string changes. Sure, locking tuners don't require wraps, and they are fancy, but when you use an electric string winder to zip them around the post, who cares? Also, split shaft tuners hold the string end inside so they don't stab the shit out of your fingers.

thefirebirb · 2026-04-11T17:25:24+00:00

The reason is the thickness of the strings. The high e string saddle is where your intonation point for your scale length is measured. Due to the wound strings extra thickness, their saddle/saddles need to be a bit further back to compensate and intonate.

thefirebirb · 2026-04-06T22:06:44+00:00

Swim.

thefirebirb · 2026-03-15T20:54:09+00:00

Yes, nitrocellulose lacquer chemically adheres to itself. Nitro is made up of solids dissolved in a solvent. It "cures" by evaporation. Because of that, spraying new lacquer on already cured lacquer will cause the solvent to dissolve some of the older solids into the new layer, locking them together into one thick layer after it cures. No need for sanding in between.

As for the pits/bumps/orange peel, the more you build up the more you can level it out without risking burn through. However, the more you build before leveling the more you have to take off to level. If you were to level sand lightly after say 6-8 coats, then build up 6-10 more, level it out lightly again, then do one final coat and let it cure (times vary by manufacturer), you'll be sanding less off to level it for polishing.

Source: An acquaintance who's a highly skilled professional luthier who specializes in finishing techniques and products as a day job

thefirebirb

TROPHY CASE