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Myles Gilmer, Wood Merchant an interview by Todd Brotherton
Gilmer buys wood from all over the globe and sells it to a number of special interests in the wood working field. He's been around, he's concerned about the forests and ethical harvesting, and he's articulate. Without the Gilmers of America there would be very few independent professional instrument makers.
Thoughts on Steel String Guitarmaking from the 1990 Convention lecture by Jean Larrivee
Larrivee has overseen the creation of 15,000 acoustic guitars and 12,000 electrics. Much of what he has to say pertains as strongly to the one-off builder as it does to another industry giant, and he doesn't hold back on anything.
An Improved Soundpost Setter by Dale Randall
Go fishing for your soundposts. Land them perfectly. This is a soundpost setter unlike any other. Really.
Star of David Dan Erlewine interviews the lutherie Mentor of his youth
It's tough to be in business and stay successful. It's really tough to stay in business and keep having fun, too. Herb David tells how he runs his business, builds a few instruments, stays in shape, has fun. Here's the last line of his personal prayer: "Deliver me from temptation but keep me in touch." You gotta love the guy.
Gimme Back My Minutes: some time management tips for repair people by Rick Turner
Exactly what it says.
Make a Tiny Table Saw by Dale Randall
Randall explains how to make it, but not what it's for.
Inside Warmoth Guitar Products from the 1990 Convention talk and factory tour by Ken Warmoth
Most in-the-know electric guitar folks consider Warmoth necks and bodies to be the best going. Here's how they're made.
Birth of the Strat-Compatible Parts Industry Jay Hargreaves interviews Ken Warmoth
Birth of the Strat-Compatible Parts Industry Jay Hargreaves interviews Lynn Ellsworth
These two men started together as Boogie Bodies. They were on the first floor of the explosion in retrofit guitar parts, and they seemed to know or know of everyone. Ellsworth dropped out of the guitar scene for some years, but Warmoth grew from a garage industry to a computer driven, climate-controlled leader of the pack. Here, both men speak openly of the early days.
Donald Warnock, Viol Maker an interview by Cyndy Burton
It's wonderful that this interview is in the same issue as interviews with Larrivee and Warmoth, since they are opposites. The first two are sort of factory moguls, and Warnock is the gentlemanly craftsman/artist. All have forged a successful life on their own terms, and the contrast is delicious.
Giveaway Dulcimers by Keith Davis
Here's the premise: build a boat load of one-string noise makers and give them away. Inspire kids to make music. Take a tax break.
Let's Get Busy an interview with Chris Brandt by Jon Peterson
Brandt owns a luthiers co-op, and finds it makes more sense and money than four men running their own separate shops. He's got the low-down on keeping records, using time efficiently, sharing labor, hiring a front man, and turning over work quickly. Lots of business hints and tips for any luthier, regardless of your position.
Violin Q & A by Michael Darnton
Darnton discusses wolf tones, the life span of new fiddles, and why lacquer is never used on a violin.
Questions edited by Cyndy Burton
Get your red hot answers here! Want to build an electric stand up bass? Correspond about viola Portuguesa or a Pakistani dulcimer? Buy a film about Jimmy D'Aquisto? You're in luck.
It Worked For Me
Try gluing your frets in place with cloth strapping and a trick clamping caul. Improve the wooden plane found in Sloane's Steel String Guitar Construction.
Review: Guitar Player Repair Guide by Dan Erlewine. Reviewed by Manny Bettencourt
The reviewer finds that this book is an invaluable resource for the professional repairman and will let the amateur evaluate a potential repair and decide whether or not he has the skill to tackle it.
Review: Steel-String Guitar Construction by Irving R. Sloane. Reviewed by David Riggs
The reviewer finds that this book offers good, solid instruction to the person building their first guitar.
Review: Fine Woodworking Design Book Five. Reviewed by Harry Fleishman
The reviewer admires the beauty of the book's photography, but seems hesitant to recommend it since so little of it is dedicated to musical instruments.
Review: Making Stringed Instruments - A Workshop Guide by George Buchanan. Reviewed by C.F. Casey
The reviewer decides that for the average luthier this book is "not a must-have, but a nice-to-have." Most of the guitar information can be found in other sources. As a non-fiddle maker, he found the violin information interesting and clear.
This issue is no longer available individually. Its contents are
included in The Big Red Book of American Lutherie, Vol. 3.
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