Bob Benedetto calls this beautiful archtop guitar "La Cremona Fiorita."
Letter to the Editor by Wilfried Urlich
Now THAT'S a hurdy-gurdy! German early-music luthier Wilfried Urlich was not amused by the inauthenticity of the hurdy-gurdy kit reviewed in AL#66, so he sent a photo of a real one along with some useful comments.
Meet the Maker: Bob Benedetto by Jonathon Peterson
Bob Benedetto has been a GAL member forever, but we have never gotten around to featuring him before now. We make up for lost time with a "Meet the Maker" feature plus a lecutre transcript. Bob sent some great old photos of his early bands (and hairdos) to go along with these fascinating reminiscences.
Archtop Guitars - It All Creates Music by Robert Benedetto
In his 2001 GAL Convention lecture, Bob Benedetto does a lot of bubble-popping. He speaks frankly about what does, and does not, make a difference in archtop guitars. He also makes the startling assertion that he has never been late on an instrument delivery! Perhaps the only luthier to ever make such a claim.
Working with Water-based Finish by John Kitakis
Lacquer stinks, literally. Much as we may want to get away from the poisons, moving to water-based finish can be difficult. John Kitakis gives us the scop on how he gets good results with CrystaLac.
Meet the Maker: Tom Blackshear by Cyndy Burton
Tom Blackshear has been building classic guitars for over forty years. He has a particular interest in the work of Miguel Rodriguez. We meet Tom in this issue, and he gives us a lot of information on the Rodriguez model. GAL Instrument Plan #46 shows both the 1976 Rodriguez with 66cm scale, and Tom's modification of it with 65cm scale.
Miguel Rodriguez by Ronald Louis Fernandez
There are discrepancies in the Rodriguez family history that the author seeks to remedy.
An Introduction to Metal Engraving by David Giulietti
David Giulietti demonsrated some techniques of metal engraving at our 2001 Convention. He does the fancy engraving for National Resophonic, Deering Banjo, and others. In this article he gives us an introduction to the basic tools and techniques of the trade.
Constructing an Under-Saddle Transducer by R. M. Mottola
You can make a nice transducer for a steel string guitar out of that crazy stuff they drag behind submarines for high tech espionage. There's a science fair project for you! R.M. Mottola shows us how it's done.
Meet the Maker: Fernando Cardosa by Joao Jose de Santana Borges
Meet Fernando Cardoso, a Brazillian luthier who makes classic guitars and violins in the picturesque old part of town. We're talking 500 years old! It's in Brazil's original capital of Salvador.
It Worked for Me
In this issue's "It Worked for Me" column, Keith Davis shows us how to make a toothed plane.
Product Reviews by R.M. Mottola
R.M. Mottola is back to give us a review of Ameritage custom cases.
CAD Notebook by Dana Bourgeois
Dana Bourgeois continues his column on CAD drawing for CNC. In this issue he also alerts us to the existance of a $5000 CNC router. Think of the possibilities.
