The Guitar Maker's Workshop

Rating:
Summary: Complete set of instructions on how to make a guitar
Review: This is the first book I read on how you make a guitar. It is quite readable and takes you through all of the steps in a sequential manner. There is lots of solid information in the book and it is well illustrated with diagrams and photographs.

The author comes across as a very experienced luthier and is able to provide lots of shot cuts and tips. He explains how to construct several low cost jigs to help you through the process.

As a novice, I was able to follow the book although I had to re-read the odd paragraph to full understand it. A glossary of terms would have helped me here.

The book concentrates on classical nylon string guitars although there is one chapter explaining the differences in making a steel string guitar. There is no treatment of electric guitars. The sections are as follows:

1 Introduction to the Guitar Maker's Workshop 2 The Tools 3 Timbers 4 The Assembly Framework 5 The Front 6 The Back 7 The Sides 8 The Head and Neck 9 Linings 10 The Assembly Procedure 11 Inlay Work 12 The Fingerboard 13 The Bridge 14 Finishing 15 Stringing Up 16 Further Challenges 17 The Steel-strung Guitar

Recommended for novices wanting to make their first classical acoustic guitar.