Official Luthiers Forum!

For those of you who know me, or don't know me, out of the hundred-plus instruments I've built, the last dozen have been ladder-braced instruments. So, when I started building them three or four years ago, I went looking for resources on the internet, from other builders, etc., and found very little information, and was left to fend for myself when it came to figure out how to build them. There was basically one plan floating around on the internet that I used to get started. Too bad this book wasn't around then as it would have improved my learning curve greatly.

This book, "Building the Obscure American Guitar," by Johann D. Brentrup, is an invaluable resource for building old style ladder-braced and x-braced guitars. Mr. Brentrup assumes that the reader has some basic knowledge of guitar building and gets right down to the "nitty-gritty". He sheds light on the nuances of this particular style of guitar building, with detailed information of the nuts and bolts of each design.

He covers design details for Stella, Holzapfel, and Larson style guitars, and the nuances of each type, including specific dimensions of bracing, top thicknesses, wood selection and ornamentation.

Of specific interest to me was the chapter about period style purfling fabrication. I've never really seen this spelled out in any other book before. Also the step by step section on building the pyramid bridge is really great. He outlines in great detail the finishing schedule for a stained finish guitar with pufling as well.

As far as the writing of the book, it is clearly and concisely written, and would highly recommend this resource to anyone interested in building old-style guitars. I have a library of about 30 books on guitar building and this is certainly at the top of the list as far as pertinent information of the craft.

Thank you Mr. Brentrup!

I'm glad to hear such a positive review since my copy should be in the mail

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Me too! Thanks for the great review, Brad!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Sounds interesting, where is it available for purchase?

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Fred,

I hear they're hard to come by, and that one needs to scour the internets or frequent garage sales to find a dog eared copy. The spiral bound ones apparently are the hardest to come by, and come at a premium.

Perhaps someone will come along with more accurate info...

I am looking forward to receiving my copy! working on a white Oak Grand Concert - this will help me out tremendously.

Glenn

Order directly from OLF member Haans. Details are in a thread in the Classifieds.

Thanks Brad! Glad you liked it. The orders went out yesterday and will be a couple days.

Nice review and really quick. I believe mine is in the mail and am looking forward to reading it. Thanks - Mike

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guitarsbygiltzow.com

I'd be interested in it, too. However, as the classifieds are by subscription, and I am not subscribed, it would be great to have info presented somewhere more accessible.

I really admire Haans' work.

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

I found a post on the unofficial Martin site dated April of this year where Haans said it was being printed (again?). Maybe Haans will chime in. I'd be interested in the Larson info.

Mike

I'm shipping it to customers.
Contact me at: johann@brentrup.com if you need help.

I got my copy out of my box at my office this morning. It is a very nice, workbook style, book. I have not had a chance to read it all, but did page through, front to back, and was quite impressed with the detail and the photographs in the book. I'm pleased to have it, even though I may never build one. The construction process does interest me, though, and I will read it and learn!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I received my copy yesterday. Thanks Haans. +1 for what Waddy said. - Mike

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guitarsbygiltzow.com

Mine was waiting when I got home today. Looks great at quick glance. I can't wait to read it and then put it to practice building a Larson-style guitar. Thanks Hans!

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Thanks guys!
Books going out again today...