Monday, November 28, 2011

Guitar Plans - General Overview:

By David Lambert


If you are interested in constructing an acoustic guitar or a classical guitar, we probably have a plan for you. As we add plans to our library all the time, you will observe the diversity of guitar plans will often include a guitar just for you.

David is our designer and implementation expert for all of our documents. He has been involved with teaching, constructing and repair of guitars for over 40 years and has developed plans that meet and exceed the need of the instrument builder.

Architecturally Based Plans:

Being a registered architect, David has additionally owned an architectural company since 1982. He has experience with Fortune 500 companies and has worked on many award-winning commercial projects, industrial projects and elaborate residential projects during his career.

His architectural skills additionally translate to the CAD systems, with which he as dominated this market since 1988, when he first decided to take the plunge into electronic documentation. He has given classes and seminars on working efficiently with CAD systems and his plans are held in high regard.

With his decision to merge two of his loves, being music and CAD into some of the best documented, accurate and thorough guitar plans available in the market today. These full-sized plans are very well documented and will give you necessary detail, dimensions and documentation to build some fantastic instruments.

Designing and documenting a guitar utilizes the same processes as does a fine home, commercial building or fine furniture. In is the processes of transferring what you see in your minds eye down to paper.

Specialized Tools That Are Needed:

Additionally there are many handy specialized luthier tools that will make your building attain greater accuracy and repeatability. David has developed his set of tools into down-loadable plan format for your convenience as well.

You will notice plans that include heated and unheated side benders, all sizes of inside forms and work boards, jigs for gluing, cutting, routing and nearly everything compulsory of some of the demanding construction operations.

Looking Down The Road For Our Plans:

Right now, we have focused on classical and, acoustic guitars and all the neat little tools that can be used to make your building life a great deal easier. We have plans to not only continue to develop classical and acoustic plan options, but also we will be developing a line of electric guitar plans and then offering plans for other stringed instruments such as, dulcimers, ukuleles, mandolins and more.

Our Acoustic Plans:

All plans consist of 4 sheets with the following data:

Main Guitar Layout, Construction Notes, Details and Bracing Notes.

Sections: - Both Lateral and Longitudinal, Neck joint Details and Neck Sections.

Layout of Back-plate, Back Bracing Layouts.

Top Bracing Layout Diagrams - Top and Side Views, Bridge Details, Top Reinforcement Layouts.

Here is a sampling of plans that are available:

The Dreadnought

The Dreadnought is a very common guitar model. It was named after a large class of battle ship of the British Navy during WWI. C.F. Martin rolled out the Dreadnought in 1931. It has been a very common model for flat-picking artists.

Body Type: Dreadnought (similar to Martin D-28 and D-18), Scale: 25.4", Frets: 14 to the body, 21 total, Body Dimensions: 20.3" x 15.6" x 4.75", Bracing: Traditional X.

000 Concert or Parlor Style

The 000 Concert sized guitar was introduced by Martin as well, and it is a outstanding, well-balanced little guitar that is great for flat-picking and finger-style playing.

Body Type: 000 (Similar to Martin 000 Parlor), Body Dimensions: 18.875" x 14.22" x 4.125", Bracing: Traditional X, Scale: 25.4", Frets: 14 to body 21 total.

J45 True Vintage:

Gibson issued this guitar in response to the popularity of the Martin Dreadnought. It is also known at the "round-shouldered" Gibson and is a guitar for all genres including rhythm, flat-picking and finger-style.

Body Type: Round-Shouldered Acoustic, Scale: 25.4", Frets: 14 to the body, 21 total, Body Dimensions: 20.187" x 16.09" x 4.85", Bracing: Traditional X (Scalloped Bracing Alternate),

The Grand Auditorium Acoustic:

This has also been a very popular plan as it resembles the very popular Taylor Grand Auditorium. Also, you will find that the Martin J series is very close to this footprint. These big voiced instruments can be even further enhanced by variations in tone-wood and bracing selections.

Body Type: Grand Auditorium Grand J, Bracing: Traditional X, Scale: 25.4", Frets: 14 to the body, 21 total, Body Dimensions: 19.78" x 16.09" x 4.85".

The Jumbo, J200 or JM

This is about the biggest bodied acoustic you will find. Gibson, Martin and Taylor each have their own versions of the wonderful instrument. It is most recognized by the fame of the Gibson J200. It is possible to sculpt the tone of this or any instrument by variations in tone-wood selection and top brace design.

Body Type: Jumbo, Frets: 14 to the body, Bracing: Traditional X, Scale: 25.4", 21 total, Body Dimensions: 20.95" x 17.05" x 5.2".

Some Additional Acoustics:

HD-28VS Jumbo 12 String Grand Auditorium 12 String 000-28VS

Available Classical Guitar Plans:

Virtually every grand classic guitar is based on the original concert classical that was developed by Antonio De Torres in the 1850's. These plans follow this form as well. Four bracing patterns are available to choose from, which will give you wide ranging tone and volume. Available Classical Guitar Plans are:

Bouchet Bracing Kasha Schneider Bracing Classic Torres Bracing Ramirez Bracing




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