Category Archives: plans

The Historic Solera of Santos Hernández: an Attempted Reconstruction

2024
AL#151 p.24               
Tobias Braun                                                                                           

▪ How do you explain that the glue squeeze-out in some fine old guitars by Spanish masters drips the wrong way? Seems like that could only happen if the top was glued last, face-up. The key to the mystery may be an unusual century-old workboard from the shop of Santos Hernández. Tune in for the rest of the story. Mentions Jose Romanillos, Marian Harris Winspear, Jeffrey Elliott, Richard Brune, Alberto Martínez, Domingo Esteso, Enrique Garcia, Francisco Simplicio, Miguel Simplicio, Marcelo Barbero, Marcelo Barbero (Hijo), Arcangel Fernández Léonard Plattner, Faustino Conde, Mariano Conde, Julio Conde, Felipe Conde, Felipe Conde Crespo, Modesto Borreguero, Hernández y Aguado, José Ramírez III, Julián Gómez Ramírez, Manuel Ramírez, Antonio Torres, Robert Bouchet.

Guitarreria Ottenschlag

2024
AL#151 p.34               
Joshua-Alexander French                                                                                           

▪ Imagine the fun of attending an intensive seminar where nine builders build fine classical guitars from scratch with an instructor whose strong background qualifies him to carry on the teaching work of Jose Romanillos. Now make the setting an authentic castle in Austria. With a gourmet restaurant. What a wonderful world. Mentions Tobias Braun, Jose Romanillos, Marian Harris Winspear, Santos Hernández, Alberto Martínez, Luise Walker, Miguel Llobet, Jeffrey Elliott.

Let’s Catch Up With Richard Bruné and Marshall Bruné

2023
AL#150 p.16               
Mark French                                                                                           

▪ Richard “R.E.” Bruné was in the GAL’s very first cohort and was an author and convention presenter from the very beginning. We’ve visited him a couple of times over the decades. His son Marshall was born into the business, and into the Guild. Together they run a large workshop and epicenter of classical guitar making, scholarship restoration, appreciation, and dealing.

The Double-Neck WeissenBro

2023
AL#150 p.24               
Lee Herron                                                                                           

▪ A Dobro is good clean fun. And then maybe you’ll want to expand your lap-steel playing to include an acoustic Hawaiian guitar. Wouldn’t it be great to have them both on your lap at the same time? Do it. Go on; you are a luthier, you can mash them up. A Dobro… a Weissenborn… a WeissenBro!

It Worked for Me: Tape Edges of Cut-Out Drawings

2023
AL#149 p.69               
Brent Benfield                                                                                           

▪ Ever snip out a piece from a plan drawing to use as a template? It will work so much better if you put clear tape on both faces of the edge.

GAL Instrument Plan #82: 1785 G.B. Fabricatore Guitar

2022
AL#147 p.36               
James Buckland                                                                                           

▪ This plan may authentically be built either as an early 6-string guitar, or as the “missing link” 5-string guitar.

Earidescent Nightingales: A New Instrument Family

2022
AL#146 p.50               
Richard Bozung                                                                                           

▪ Here’s a new kind of autoharp that can change keys in seconds without retuning or switching chord bars. It’s easy to build, and sounds great because you play it with your ear pressed to the side.

Small is Beautiful: the Piccolo Balalaika

2022
AL#145 p.42               
Sjaak Elmendorp                                                                                           

▪ Here’s the story of a big guy and his little balalaika. After rashly promising a friend that he would make a balalaika although he knew nothing about the distinctively triangular Russian instrument. We’ve all been there, right? Sjaak went on to explore and build the rare descant member of the family. Mentions balalaika player Jan Van der Hoogt.

Letter: Seeking Plans for Scaled-Down Classical Guitars

2021
AL#144 p.4               
Ron Berge                                                                                           

▪ Berge seeks plans for small classical guitars, suitable for kids. Readers suggest he look at commercially available student models and draw his own plans. Hope that was helpful.

Letter: Response to: Seeking plans for Scaled-Down Classical Guitars

2021
AL#144 p.4               
Mark French                                                                                           

▪ Berge seeks plans for small classical guitars, suitable for kids. Readers suggest he look at commercially available student models and draw his own plans. Hope that was helpful.

Letter: Response to: Seeking plans for Scaled-Down Classical Guitars

2021
AL#144 p.4               
R.M. Mottola                                                                                           

▪ Berge seeks plans for small classical guitars, suitable for kids. Readers suggest he look at commercially available student models and draw his own plans. Hope that was helpful.

GAL Instrument Plan #80 – Terz Guitar

2021
AL#142 p.36               
James Buckland                                                                                           

▪ This plan drawing of an anonymous instrument from the early 19th century includes the authentic adjustable neck joint and the rule-of-18 fret spacing.

GAL Instrument Plan #79: 1964 Harmony/Regal Guitar

2020
AL#141 p.36               
Steve Kennel                                                                                           

▪ Here’s a detailed drawing of a straightforward and ubiquitous mid-century, solid-wood, American-made guitar. This inexpensive model was the first instrument of a generation of would-be folkies and rockers. Not a classical, but certainly a classic.

Chalk-Fitting Guitar Braces

2020
AL#140 p.2               
Stephen Marchione                                                                                           

▪ The braces in an archtop guitar are very similar to the bars in fiddles, and Marchione fits them with the same traditional techniques. The mating surface of the brace is roughed out with a chisel, then refined with a small plane, and perfected with files and scrapers. Chalk shows the whole truth of the fit. Believe the chalk.

The Charles Fox Guitar-Building Method, Part Two

2020
AL#140 p.20               
Mark French   Charles Fox                                                                                       

▪ Building a Charles Fox guitar reveals the beautifully developed interdependence between the design and the process. In this episode we rough out the neck, work with the unusual neck block and the distinctive two-part lining, and then brace the top and back plates.

GAL Instrument Plan #77: Archangel Fernandez Flamenco Guitar

2019
AL#138 p.36               
Tom Blackshear                                                                                           

▪ Arcangel Fernandez was a student of Marcelo Barbero, and he is considered to be one of the best Spanish makers of flamenco guitars in latter half of the twentieth century. This instrument is a blanca, with sides and back of cypress, and has a slotted peghead for tuning machines.

Recent Research: Short Summaries of Recent Scientific Research Articles from Savart Journal

2019
AL#137 p.58               
R.M. Mottola                                                                                           

▪ Mottola gives short, not-too-technical summaries of two articles recently published on-line by Savart Journal. The first is an update of frequent author Mark French’s efforts to define stringed instrument body outlines by use of math equations. The second looks at what can be learned about lutherie wood by reading ancient Chinese texts.

Case Study of a 1935 Guitar by Cremonese Luthier Luigi Digiuni

2019
AL#136 p.42               
Massimo Maddaloni   Lizabeth-Jane Hella   Giacomo Parimbelli                                                                                   

▪ From the time that the violin was invented, Cremona was the world center for the highest quality string instrument making, until it gradually became known for lower-quality mass production of fiddles. After its dark age, Cremona has more recently seen a renaissance of its lutherie heritage. This article looks at an unusual guitar made by a Cremonese luthier in the 1930s and sees echoes of the old masters in its design. Mentions Stradivari, Panormo, Fibonacci spiral, Archimedean spiral, golden ratio.

GAL Instrument Plan #76: 1957 Martin 0-15 Guitar

2018
AL#135 p.36               
Tim Olsen                                                                                           

▪ Martin’s 15-style guitars were the bottom of the line back in the 1940s and ’50s. All the fancy stuff was stripped away, leaving a very respectable all-mahogany guitar with no binding. Here’s a drawing of the smallest, cheapest one in the time-tested series. Hardwood top.

GAL Instrument Plan #75: 1926 Gibson “Snakehead” A-Model Mandolin

2017
AL#129 p.34               
James Condino                                                                                           

▪ It’s a clean, simple classic from the golden era. These are the working man’s mandos that Gibson was making while Lloyd Loar was busy making the fancy ones in the next room.

GAL Instrument Plan #74: 2016 Jeffrey R. Elliott Standard Concert Model Classical Guitar

2016
AL#127 p.36               
Jeffrey-R. Elliott                                                                                           

▪ In an interview in AL127, Jeffrey Elliott goes into some depth about the development of his classical guitar pattern. That decades-long evolution has produced his current sophisticated and successful design, which is presented here in detail. Of course we offer it as a full-scale two-sheet plan.

GAL Instrument Plan #73: 1934 Santos Hernandez Flamenco Guitar

2016
AL#125 p.34               
R.E. Brune                                                                                           

▪ A detailed plan of a nice Santos flamenco guitar in the personal collection of R.E. Brune. A full-scale instrument plan. See the GAL website for a low-rez preview.

GAL Instrument Plan #70: Baroque Guitar Based on Stradivari from MM.E.901.6

2015
AL#122 p.39               
Jan-Van Cappelle                                                                                           

▪ A body mold for a tiny guitar exists in the collection of Stradivari’s tools and jigs, but no such guitar has been discovered. This is a thoughtful recreation of what such a guitar may have been, based on the surviving guitars of Stadivari.

GAL Instrument Plan #69: Tanbour

2014
AL#120 p.53               
Nasser Shirazi                                                                                           

▪ This plan is for the Tanbour, a traditional Persian instrument which is a long-necked lute with three thin steel strings and tied gut frets.

1825 Pons Aine Guitar, Paris

2010
AL#104 p.35      ALA3 p.37         
James Buckland                                                                                           

▪ The Pons brothers (Joseph and Louis) were known for their many one-of-a-kind guitars with elaborate ornamentation and technical innovations. This guitar could be considered their standard model.

Questions: Double Neck Acoustic Guitar Plans

2009
AL#100 p.67               read this article
Fred Carlson                                                                                           

▪ Some obvious design choices before building a double neck (6 and 12-string) acoustic guitar: neck, space, body size, design, and bracing.

GAL Instrument Plan #61: 1986 Sullivan/Elliott 20 String Concert Harp Guitar

2009
AL#99 p.36      ALA6 p.84         
Jeffrey-R. Elliott                                                                                           

▪ A full-scale instrument plan. See the GAL website for a low-rez preview.

Developing the Modern 20-String Concert Harp Guitar

2009
AL#99 p.30      ALA6 p.78         
Jeffrey-R. Elliott                                                                                           

▪ Even if you don’t care much about harp guitars you’ll enjoy the thought processes that went into the string of instruments documented in this article. If you are into harp guitars this is must reading. The initial harp guitar developed by John Sullivan, John Doan, and Jeffrey Elliott owed little to similar instruments of the past other than a basic shape, and the harp guitars that came after the first one have refined the new ideas. With 15 photos of complete and instruments progress, a string gauge and tuning chart, and a mini-plan of 1986 guitar that started the series. Full-size plans are available as GAL Plan #61.

A Method for the Design of the Guitar Body Outline

2009
AL#97 p.52               read this article
R.M. Mottola                                                                                           

▪ No, you won’t find plans for any particular instrument here, or even any plan in the conventional GAL sense. This article is about intelligently laying out the body shape of a guitar using 11 parameters. Don’t let your brain glaze over yet, this isn’t about geometry or classical design theory, it’s about using simple design elements to create graceful body shapes using several historical outlines guitars as examples and then moving on to shapes you might create to make the guitar more beautiful or efficient (to you, at least). There is some math (horrors!) but of a simple variety mostly embodying ratios. Have you ever built a guitar from a freehand drawing and found that it wasn’t quite the work of art you intended? Well, you don’t have to do that any more. With 16 drawings, a chart, and a photo.

GAL Instrument Plan #60: Two Tuvan Instruments

2009
AL#98 p.44               read this article
Thomas Johnson                                                                                           

▪ The instruments are the igil and the morin khuur. They may figure prominently on the top of the pops in Tuva, but we bet you’ve never heard of them. Obscure instruments are fun and exotic, just like foreign places (where the heck is Tuva, anyway?). Both are fretless and played with a bow. One is covered in goat or fish skin and one is not. Either would have looked right in place in “Conan the Barbarian”. That’s a compliment, not a slight. Full scale plans are available as GAL plan #60. With 4 photos and a mini-plan. See the GAL website for a low-rez preview.

The Colombian Andean Bandola

2008
AL#96 p.34               read this article
Luis-Alberto Paredes-Rodriguez   Manuel-Bernal Martinez                                                                                       

▪ The Andean bandola (isn’t that cool to say? Makes you want to have one) looks like a big 6-course flattop mandolin, though it stems just as much from the guitar. Bandola development went into over drive during the 1960s and continues today. In fact, the authors have developed a bandola family. One version owes a lot to the ever-influential Greg Smallman. With 25 photos, a string gauge chart, and a tuning chart. Includes reduced image of GAL Instrument Plan #59.

The Venezuelan Cuatro

2008
AL#94 p.42               read this article
Aquiles Torres                                                                                           

▪ This instrument is a small 4-string guitar with 14 frets clear of the body and no frets over the body, a flush fretboard, and a large veneer tap plate. Note: the Cuatro built for the article has 17 frets clear of the body. The story includes 38 photos and a shrunken version of GAL Plan #58.

A Mid-19th-Century Martin Guitar

2008
AL#93 p.35      ALA1 p.90         
Jeff Liverman                                                                                           

▪ No size designation is given to this Martin, and no dimensions are printed on the scaled down plans reproduced in the magazine. The author’s guess is that the guitar was made in the 1840-1850 period. Though we automatically assume that a flattop guitar uses steel strings, Martin guitars of this period invariably were intended for gut strings and reproductions intended for use with steel strings should use very light strings indeed. With 4 photos. Complete full-size plans for this guitar are available as GAL Instrument Plan #57.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.

The Santur

2007
AL#92 p.35               read this article
Javad Naini                                                                                           

▪ The santur is the Persian version of the hammered dulcimer, often tuned to scales that would make it unplayable by Western musicians. With 9 photos and a 2-page version of GAL Plan #56.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.

The Trio Romantico and the Requinto

2007
AL#89 p.34               read this article
C.F. Casey                                                                                           

▪ The requinto is a small classical guitar tuned a forth higher than standard tuning, and is the lead instrument in a form called Trio Romantico. Casey discusses the history of the instrument and offers a plan of one particular example. With 7 photos and a 2-page version of GAL Plan #54.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.

Manuel Reyes: Guitarrero

2005
AL#84 p.28   BRB7 p.404            
R.E. Brune                                                                                           

▪ This Meet the Maker article focuses on a Spanish luthier who has been in the business since 1949. With 30 photos of four guitars.

2003 Manuel Reyes Flamenco Guitar

2005
AL#84 p.33   BRB7 p.410            
Tom Blackshear                                                                                           

▪ One page of notes plus a 2-page spread of GAL full-size plan #53 of a Reyes flamenco guitar.

GAL Instrument Plan #53: 2003 Manuel Reyes Flamenco Guitar an Instrument Plan

2005
AL#84 p.34   BRB7 p.411            
Tom Blackshear                                                                                           

▪ A full-scale instrument plan. See the GAL website for a low-rez preview.

Restoring Tarrega’s 1888 Torres

2005
AL#83 p.18   BRB7 p.364            
Jeffrey-R. Elliott                                                                                           

▪ Restoring famous instruments is a tricky business. If they are also old, well-played, and abused by poor storage facilities the work becomes a cross between knowledge, craft, and art. Elliott goes where few of us would care to travel, explaining every step of restoration as he goes. Perhaps as important is what he doesn’t do. The ethics of restoration is a foundation of the story. With 42 photos as well as a 2-page spread of GAL full-size plan #52.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s fifty best articles published before 2010.

GAL Instrument Plan #52: 1888 Antonio de Torres Classic Guitar

2005
AL#83 p.32   BRB7 p.378            
Jeffrey-R. Elliott                                                                                           

▪ A full-scale instrument plan. See the GAL website for a low-rez preview.

Review: The Guitar of Andres Segovia Hermann Hauser 1937

2005
AL#83 p.53   BRB7 p.533            read this article
Tom Harper                                                                                           

▪ This offering includes a pamphlet by R.E. Brune and Don Pilarz that includes 30 color photos of this guitar, a new full-size blueprint by Brune, a CD of music by Segovia, and a poster. The reviewer concludes that “as a builder of classical instruments I really can’t imagine passing up this compilation.” ‘Nuff said.

The Colombian Tiple

2005
AL#82 p.34   BRB7 p.341            
Luis-Alberto Paredes-Rodriguez                                                                                           

▪ Tracking the evolution of Spanish-based South American instruments can be complicated. Fortunately luthiers don’t have to care about it since we live in the present, or at least many of us try to. The Colombian tiple is a four course, 12-string instrument a bit smaller than a classical guitar, and not like the Martin tiple at all. The heart of this article is the 2 page version of GAL plan #51. The text dabbles with instrument history and offers a string gauge chart as well as a family tree of the tiple, bandola, and guitar. The most intriguing text involves the author’s method in compensating the nut when different gauges of strings are used in the same course. With 1 photo.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.

A Savart-Style Upright Bass

2004
AL#80 p.22   BRB7 p.248            
R.M. Mottola                                                                                           

▪ Savart built a simplified violin that apparently sounded very good. This was long ago. The author uses Savart’s general principles to build a much simplified upright bass that compares to the traditional design in sound. But the scale length is 34″, and it can use electric bass guitar strings if desired. An interesting concept and a cool looking instrument. With 14 photos. Included is a one-page version of GAL Plan #50 of Mottola’s bass.

An Authentic Hurdy-Gurdy

2004
AL#77 p.30   BRB7 p.162            
Wilfried Ulrich                                                                                           

▪ Whether the hurdy-gurdy is a fascination or an abomination is up to each listener, but it has to be built right to be given a fair shot. Ulrich uses historical examples as a basis for his instruments, then modifies them to suit contemporary players. This article contains some hurdy-history, photos of a museum hurdy, and a magazine-size version of GAL Plan #49. Also included are photos and drawings of Ulrich’s hurdy-gurdy, a chart of dimensions for laying out the key box, and a series of drawings to help explain the inner workings of the beast. You, too, can enjoy a bit of history in all its hurdy-glory.

From Russia, With Strings Attached

2003
AL#75 p.32   BRB7 p.92            
C.F. Casey                                                                                           

▪ Casey examines a Staufer-ish guitar made in Russia, a seven-string flattop with an adjustable neck feature. The guitar is parlor-size and with the old figure-eight body shape. Included are 12 photos as well as a small version of GAL Plan #48, a blueprint of the guitar with a list of all specs and materials.

Meet the Maker: Dake Traphagen

2003
AL#75 p.42   BRB7 p.76            
Jonathon Peterson   Dake Traphagen                                                                                       

▪ For those who really make an impact in lutherie complete immersion in the craft is the rule, not the exception. Long days, few breaks, and a lot of work. Traphagan is a good example. Floating to the top of the heap isn’t a simple matter. Still, one can get there while maintaining a sense of humor and a continuing appreciation for the mysteries of the craft, and Traphagan is also a good example of that, too. A really good interview with 10 photos and three diagrams of guitar tops.

1869 Francisco Gonzalez: A Restoration

2002
AL#70 p.16   BRB6 p.328            
Jeffrey-R. Elliott                                                                                           

▪ Returning a historically important guitar to life is not only a painstaking project but also one that must be done with finesse and a respect for the instrument’s value as an historical document. This restoration took several months and much research and investigation, requiring the use of tools not normally associated with guitar repair. With 43 photos and a magazine-size version of GAL Plan #47 of the instrument under discussion.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s fifty best articles published before 2010.

GAL Instrument Plan #47: 1869 Francisco Gonzalez Guitar

2002
AL#70 p.34   BRB6 p.343            
Jeffrey-R. Elliott                                                                                           

▪ A full-scale instrument plan. See the GAL website for a low-rez preview.

Meet the Maker: Tom Blackshear

2001
AL#68 p.28   BRB6 p.274            
Cyndy Burton   Tom Blackshear                                                                                       

▪ Blackshear has been building classical guitars since the ’50s. He has been strongly influenced by the work of Miguel Rodriguez. With 15 photos.

Clark “Neo-Irish” Harp

2000
AL#61 p.34   BRB6 p.22            
David Riggs                                                                                           

▪ The Celtic harp has become something of a cult object. The author offers his plans as a place to begin creation and not as an idea frozen in stone. There are 7 photos of construction details, along with some suggestions of how to proceed. The plans are a shrunken version of GAL full-size blueprint #45.

Sources

1999
AL#60 p.52               
Cyndy Burton                                                                                           

▪ This column updates several source lists that have appeared in past issues. If you need it to build instruments, you should find a supplier here.

The Maalaea Special

1999
AL#60 p.22   BRB5 p.408            
Rich Mermer                                                                                           

▪ Are you familiar with the Weissenborn Hawaiian guitars of the ’20s? How ’bout the acoustic lap steel work of David Lindley? Well, Lindley often plays a Weissenborn, which is lap guitar with a sound chamber that includes a hollow neck (think of a guitar whose mother was frightened by a fretted dulcimer). Rich Mermer doesn’t build exact Weissenborn copies, but a very similar design. His good plan is a single-page diagram with a chart of measurements. With 12 photos.

Gene Rhinehart: Northwest Resophonic Connection

1999
AL#59 p.50   BRB5 p.392            
Jonathon Peterson                                                                                           

▪ Rhinehart has built Dobro-style guitars for years, and was among the first to furnish custom resonator cones to the industry. Includes a new plan format, a one-page diagram of a square neck guitar with a chart of dimensions. Different methods of seating the cone are discussed, and 8 photos show some of the details of Rhinehart’s work.

Tales of True Companionship

1999
AL#57 p.40   BRB5 p.317            
John Calkin                                                                                           

▪ Calkin builds a uniquely shaped travel guitar called the True Companion, and here explains its construction as well as the jigs he devised for production building. The plan is a mini-version of GAL Plan #44. With 14 photos, including one of the sternest luthier of the year. Ya’ll remember to smile when it’s your turn!

Martin Tenor Ukulele

1998
AL#56 p.32   BRB5 p.240            
Peter Hurney                                                                                           

▪ Uke builder Hurney offers a description and plans for the Martin Tenor, as well as outlines of the Martin Soprano and Concert models. The plans are available as GAL full-scale Plan #43. With front and back photos of 3 sizes of Martin ukes.

Sources: Plans

1998
AL#56 p.56               
Cyndy Burton                                                                                           

▪ This list of instrument plans probably isn’t world-inclusive, but it’s the biggest list we’ve put together so far. Collect them all and you could probably build for the rest of your life and never use the same plans twice.

Sabicas’ 1951 Marcelo Barbero

1998
AL#55 p.8   BRB5 p.217            
R.E. Brune                                                                                           

▪ The story of this astonishing flamenco guitar involves Barbero, Sabicas, Carlos Montoya, and Elektra records. It dropped from sight until showing up at Brune’s for repair. Brune drew up a complete set of plans while the guitar was in his possession. They are printed here, and are also available as a full-size GAL Plan #42. With 12 photos.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.

GAL Instrument Plan #42: 1951 Marcelo Barbero Flamenco Guitar

1998
AL#55 p.10   BRB5 p.219            
R.E. Brune                                                                                           

▪ A full-scale instrument plan. See the GAL website for a low-rez preview.

Review: Musical Instrument Design by Bart Hopkin

1997
AL#51 p.46   BRB5 p.471            
John Calkin                                                                                           

▪ The reviewer likes this book about instrument creation. The book deals lightly with the physics of music and lightly with the concept of craft. Hopkin’s real message is that musical instruments are everywhere on the planet, not just in the guitar shop, and he happily guides the reader through the creation of dozens of them. Deals with wind and percussion instruments more than with strings, but the string section is useful.

The Concert Zither

1997
AL#50 p.30   BRB5 p.72            
John Roeder                                                                                           

▪ Roeder offers construction advice about the classic German zither, which has 5 strings over a fretboard and as many as 40 open strings used for chord and bass accompaniment. Included are 6 drawings and 14 photos, as well as a shrunken version of GAL full-size Plan #41. Mentions Franz Schwarzer.

Sources: Plans

1996
AL#48 p.52               
Cyndy Burton                                                                                           

▪ A list of all the instrument plans that Burton could track down, and where to buy them.

Letter to the Editor: First Guitar

1996
AL#45 p.2               read this article
Gretchen-Weeks Brough                                                                                           

▪ Brough offers her services as a freelance computer drafter to members who would like instrument plans drawn in AutoCAD.

Review: Checklist of Technical Drawings of Musical Instruments in the Public Collections of the World by Rob van Acht

1995
AL#43 p.61               read this article
Robert Lundberg                                                                                           

▪ The reviewer finds that this book is too limited in its scope, and recommends against its purchase. However, he maintains that a sensibly revised edition would be an important and welcome resource, and that such a revised edition is in the works.

GAL Instrument Plan #39: Hammered Dulcimer

1995
AL#41 p.29   BRB4 p.137            
Debbie Suran   Nicholas-Von Robison                                                                                       

▪ Suran’s design allows for the least amount of tension over the side bridges, which contributes to instrument stability. A full-scale instrument plan. See the GAL website for a low-rez preview.

Segovia’s 1912 Manuel Ramirez

1994
AL#40 p.18   BRB4 p.96            
R.E. Brune                                                                                           

▪ There is an undying interest in the Segovia guitars. Brune offers good description as well as 10 photos and a complete set of plans. The plans are a reduced version of our full-scale Plan # 38.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.

Meet the Maker: Scot Tremblay

1993
AL#36 p.40   BRB3 p.405            
Jonathon Peterson   Scott Tremblay                                                                                       

▪ Trembley is a Canadian luthier who specializes in the guitars of the 19th century, both as a maker and a restorationist. He has studied the subject deeply. With 12 photos and a scale drawing of an 1816 Salon Guitar by Jose Martinez. This plan is a reduced version of GAL full-scale Plan #36.

GAL Instrument Plan #35: The Malagasy Kabosy

1993
AL#35 p.21   BRB3 p.392            
Paul Hostetter                                                                                           

▪ Using these drawings and text you can make your own kabosy in a few days. A full-scale instrument plan. See the GAL website for a low-rez preview.

A New Look at Harp Guitars

1993
AL#34 p.24   BRB3 p.334   ALA6 p.30         
Jonathon Peterson                                                                                           

▪ In AL#29 Peterson looked back at the harp guitar. This time he takes a forward look. A number of luthiers find fascination and a new potential in the big beast, and this is the best look at their results to date. With 28 photos and 8 detailed drawings. Also available is GAL full-scale Plan #34, the Klein solidbody electric harp guitar.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.

Brazilian Guitar Makers

1993
AL#33 p.12   BRB3 p.278            read this article
Roberto Gomes                                                                                           

▪ Gomes offers a list and short description of some current Brazilian builders.

Torres Guitar Restoration

1993
AL#33 p.14   BRB3 p.280            
R.E. Brune                                                                                           

▪ Brune describes a rare 11-string Torres guitar and the manner in which he restored it. With 11 photos and a half-page of drawings. Mentions Romanillos.

Segovia’s 1937 Hauser

1992
AL#31 p.8   BRB3 p.212   ALA3 p.44         
R.E. Brune                                                                                           

▪ Brune visits with, measures, and draws Segovia’s most famous guitar. The plans offered are a reduced version of GAL full-scale Plan #33. Brune feels that the guitar misses the maestro. With 19 photos.

GAL Instrument Plan #33: 1937 Hermann Hauser Sr. Classic Guitar

1992
AL#31 p.21   BRB3 p.9   ALA3 p.48         
R.E. Brune                                                                                           

▪ A full-scale instrument plan. See the GAL website for a low-rez preview.

GAL Instrument Plan #32: Dyer Harp Guitar

1992
AL#29 p.34   BRB3 p.192   ALA6 p.27         
Todd Brotherton                                                                                           

▪ This is the guitar into which Michael Hedges breathed new life. A full-scale instrument plan. See the GAL website for a low-rez preview.

Review: Making Stringed Instruments — A Workshop Guide by George Buchanan

1991
AL#26 p.60   BRB3 p.464            read this article
C.F. Casey                                                                                           

▪ This British D.I.Y. book offers alternative diction, syntax, and approach to the material.

Building the Prima Gusli

1991
AL#27 p.26   BRB3 p.100            read this article
James Flynn                                                                                           

▪ This instrument is a unique and graceful-looking Russian folk psaltery, a sophisticated version of the lap harp grade schoolers play by sliding numbered sheet music under the strings.

A Low Cost Bass

1990
AL#24 p.30   BRB2 p.430            
Frederick-C. Lyman-Jr.                                                                                           

▪ Lyman builds a bass with a lauan body and a top of quartersawn 2x4s, and is quite pleased with the outcome. There are only 2 photos, but a lot of text. Lyman’s conventional basses are in the hands of many well-known musicians. He certainly knows the difference between good and bad instruments. Part 2 follows in the next issue.

GAL Instrument Plan #28: Swahili Kibangala (African Banjo)

1990
AL#23 p.28   BRB2 p.411            
James Hillier                                                                                           

▪ The kibangala is a seven string, four-course instrument carved from solid wood that utilizes a skin head. The plan is a shrunken version of our full-scale Plan #28.

A Baroque Guitar Restoration

1989
AL#19 p.24   BRB2 p.250            
R.E. Brune                                                                                           

▪ A guitar that may have belonged to Marie Antoinette is brought back to playing condition. This article gives a good picture of what goes into the restoration of a museum-quality instrument. With 13 photos.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.

An Interview with Darryl Wolfe, F5 Expert

1989
AL#18 p.26   BRB2 p.228            
Ted Davis   Darryl Wolfe                                                                                       

▪ Both of these men love and revere the F-5 mandolin. Wolfe owned four Lloyd Loar mandos up to the time of the interview, studied and photographed 130 old F-5s, and published the F5 Journal. A lengthy interview with 12 photos. One man’s opinion can dispel, and perhaps create, instrument mythology.

GAL Instrument Plan #26: 1923 signed Lloyd Loar F-5 Gibson Mandolin

1989
AL#18 p.30   BRB2 p.235            
Ted Davis                                                                                           

▪ A full-scale instrument plan. See the GAL website for a low-rez preview. The article also offers a plan of the Virzi Tone Producer, a map of top and back thickness, and a page of recommendations for building new F-5s to original Gibson specs.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.

GAL Instrument Plan #25: The “Moskvichka” Concert Balalaika; An Instrument Plan

1989
AL#17 p.30   BRB2 p.193            
M.A. Kupfer   James Flynn   John Morgan                                                                                   

▪ A full-scale instrument plan. See the GAL website for a low-rez preview.

GAL Instrument Plan #23: 14-cs Archlute

1989
AL#17 p.51   HLC p.244            
Robert Lundberg                                                                                           

▪ Lundberg recommends that the uninitiated not try to build an instrument from these plans without first reading the entire series of lectures presented in “Historical Lute Construction.” The plans are more diagramatic than exhaustive, but contain the essential information to construct the instrument.

1948 D’Angelico New Yorker; An Instrument Plan

1988
AL#16 p.29   BRB2 p.139            
Steve Andersen                                                                                           

▪ This is a reduced version of our Plan #24. The article also provides an introduction to the particular guitar that was copied for the plans, and 3 photos. Jazzer nirvana on paper.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.

Building the Prima Balalaika

1989
AL#17 p.29   BRB2 p.190            
James Flynn                                                                                           

▪ Plans and instruction for an instrument designed by Kupfer, with 11 photos. The plan is a reduced version of GAL full-scale Plan #25. Kupfer is a famous luthier in Russia.

GAL Instrument Plan #20: 65cm 10-Course Renaissance Lute

1988
AL#14 p.42   HLC p.241            
Robert Lundberg                                                                                           

▪ Lundberg recommends that the uninitiated not try to build an instrument from these plans without first reading the entire series of lectures presented in “Historical Lute Construction.” The plans are more diagramatic than exhaustive, but contain the essential information to construct the instrument.

GAL Instrument Plan #21: 7-cs Ren. Alto Lute, Venere 1592

1988
AL#14 p.44   HLC p.242            
Robert Lundberg                                                                                           

▪ Lundberg recommends that the uninitiated not try to build an instrument from these plans without first reading the entire series of lectures presented in “Historical Lute Construction.” The plans are more diagramatic than exhaustive, but contain the essential information to construct the instrument.

GAL Instrument Plan #22: 13-cs Baroque Lute, Dieffopruchar ca. 1600

1988
AL#15 p.28   HLC p.243            
Robert Lundberg                                                                                           

▪ Lundberg recommends that the uninitiated not try to build an instrument from these plans without first reading the entire series of lectures presented in “Historical Lute Construction.” The plans are more diagramatic than exhaustive, but contain the essential information to construct the instrument.

GAL Instrument Plan #18: 44cm 6-Course Renaissance Descant Lute

1988
AL#13 p.37   HLC p.239            
Robert Lundberg                                                                                           

▪ Lundberg recommends that the uninitiated not try to build an instrument from these plans without first reading the entire series of lectures presented in “Historical Lute Construction.” The plans are more diagramatic than exhaustive, but contain the essential information to construct the instrument.

GAL Instrument Plan #19: 76cm 8-Course Renaissance Bass Lute

1988
AL#13 p.38   HLC p.240            
Robert Lundberg                                                                                           

▪ Lundberg recommends that the uninitiated not try to build an instrument from these plans without first reading the entire series of lectures presented in “Historical Lute Construction.” The plans are more diagramatic than exhaustive, but contain the essential information to construct the instrument.

The Sami-Sen

1987
AL#12 p.18   BRB1 p.452            read this article
Nicholas-Von Robison                                                                                           

▪ Robison offers description, anecdotes, 4 photos, and a drawing of an instrument that might be crudely described as a Japanese 3-string banjo. The plans are a shrunken version of our full-scale Plan #16.

GAL Instrument Plan #17 6-cs Renaissance Lute

1987
AL#12 p.48   HLC p.238            
Robert Lundberg                                                                                           

▪ Lundberg recommends that the uninitiated not try to build an instrument from these plans without first reading the entire series of lectures presented in “Historical Lute Construction.” The plans are more diagramatic than exhaustive, but contain the essential information to construct the instrument.

Modified F3 Mandolin

1987
AL#11 p.27   BRB1 p.434            
Robert Steinegger   Nicholas-Von Robison                                                                                       

▪ Steinegger made a mandolin based on the work of Orville Gibson, but modified the neck pitch and soundboard arch to make it satisfy contemporary playing standards. He also changed some materials. With 2 photos and a scaled down version of our Plan #15.

GAL Instrument Plan #15: Modified F3 Mandolin

1987
AL#11 p.28   BRB1 p.435            
Robert Steinegger   Nicholas-Von Robison                                                                                       

▪ A full-scale instrument plan. See the GAL website for a low-rez preview.

Building the Tar

1987
AL#10 p.30   BRB1 p.382            read this article
Nasser Shirazi                                                                                           

▪ The tar (or Persian banjo) is a classical Iranian instrument, the body of which is carved from a mulberry log and covered in lambskin. The neck traditionally incorporates rams horn and camel bone. Exotic, fascinating, wonderfully politically incorrect. Some alternate materials are listed for those who can’t wait for their camel to die. With 6 photos, 2 sketches, and a scaled down version of GAL Plan #14.

Building the Flattop Bass

1987
AL#9 p.24   BRB1 p.322            
Tim Olsen                                                                                           

▪ Olsen offers the philosophy, theory, construction details, and plans for a new instrument. The plans are a shrunken version of GAL full scale Plan #13. Though Olsen and a few others began building flattop basses in the 1970s, in a real sense this article is the birth certificate of the instrument. The flattop bass is a flattop guitar on steroids, not to be confused with the bass viol.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.

An Overview of the Hauser Tradition

1986
AL#8 p.18   BRB1 p.274   ALA3 p.8         
Jeffrey-R. Elliott                                                                                           

▪ This lecture transcription presents a chronological overview of the work of Hermann Hauser Sr. 26 photos and 3 drawings complete the article. A major investigation of some important guitars.

GAL Instrument Plan #12: 1943 Hauser Classic Guitar

1986
AL#8 p.28   BRB1 p.283   ALA3 p.16         
Jeffrey-R. Elliott                                                                                           

▪ Elliott offers a scale drawing, dimensions list, and a bill of materials for a Hauser guitar. The drawing is a reduced version of our full-scale Plan #12.

Hardanger Fiddle

1986
AL#7 p.24               
E.M. Peters                                                                                           

▪ A brief description of a typical Norwegian fiddle accompanies Peters’ plans for the same, along with a photo of two Hardangers and a drawing of useful ornamentations. The plans are a reduced version of our full-scale Plan #11. Hardangers utilize a set of sympathetic strings and may be tuned in over twenty ways.

1932 Martin C-3 Archtop Guitar

1986
AL#6 p.27   BRB1 p.103            
Ted Davis                                                                                           

▪ Davis gives a compact history of Martin archtops and offers a blueprint of the C-3 model, then goes on to have a mock interview with Steve Kauffman’s C-3, Suzie. The plan is a reduced version of our full-scale Plan #10.

Drafting Instrument Plans

1985
AL#4 p.16   BRB1 p.108            read this article
Ted Davis                                                                                           

▪ In this lecture Davis describes his method of making instrument plans from a guitar, then fields questions and takes suggestions.

Building the Kamanche

1985
AL#4 p.27   BRB1 p.126            read this article
Nasser Shirazi                                                                                           

▪ Shirazi offers a history of the Persian bowed instrument as well as plans and construction advice. The kamanche is a four-stringed neck attached to a gourd. The plans are a reduced version of our full-scale Plan #9.

GAL Instrument Plan #8: 1918 Martin 1-18, #13336

1985
AL#1 p.27   BRB1 p.38   ALA4 p.7         
Ted Davis                                                                                           

▪ The article contains 4 photos, a short text, and a reduced image of our full-scale instrument Plan #8. Both pages of the very thorough drawing are presented. A chance to get an accurate preview of the plan before you buy. This is a very small flattop guitar, less than 13″ at the lower bout.

Restoring a Martin Harp Guitar

1984
DS#279   LW p.62   ALA6 p.2         
Ted Davis                                                                                           

▪ This rare Martin required the creation of a new harp neck as well as the repair of many top and side cracks. The plans included are also available as GAL full-scale blueprint #7. Includes 5 photos.

GAL Instrument Plan #5: Kasha Guitar Soundboard

1983
DS#243   BRB1 p.214            
Gila Eban                                                                                           

▪ Eban offers an eloquent argument for trying the Kasha system in your own shop, as well as many details of her own guitars. A page-sized blueprint is included. She maintains that there is a philosophy and an aesthetic behind the Kasha design that is self-revealing and pleasing to work with, and that the design will always be under-realized until a larger number of builders have come to understand and absorb it.

This article has been nominated as one of the Guild’s best articles published before 2010.

GAL Instrument Plan #3: Irish Bouzouki

1982
DS#230   BRB2 p.462            
Rich Westerman                                                                                           

▪ Westerman was among the first to produce quantities of Irish bouzoukis, or citterns. Here he offers an explanation of his design, as well as a blueprint for the instrument. The plans are available as GAL Instrument Plan #3.

Constructing a Medieval Lyre

1981
DS#195   BRB2 p.258            
John Taye                                                                                           

▪ There must certainly be more than one way to make a lyre, especially since the instrument was never standardized. Taye uses a series of drawings, a blueprint, and a photo to help explain how he chose his version and how he builds them.

Updating the Mountain Dulcimer

1980
DS#159   BRB2 p.290            
Hardy-B. Menagh                                                                                           

▪ Menagh’s dulcimer utilizes a shortened fretboard, a banjo-ish bridge, and a tailpiece to help make the instrument louder. He also employs an X brace under the top.With 2 photos and a drawing of his dulcimer innards.

1902 Martin

1975
DS#21               read this article
Anonymous                                                                                           

▪ This pair of informative pictures was contributed to the Guild by a repairman of long experience and excellent reputation.