Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey guys. I'm looking for some sage advice from the experienced builders that populate this site. I'm new to lutherie. I am almost finished my first supervised build and now I am planning my first true solo build. I have decided on the 1940 Gibson L-00 using the well known Greelier plans.

Does anyone that has built a guitar using these plans have any suggestions regarding pitfalls to avoid, lessons learned, or proven modifications to the design that might enhance the overall sound or the structure of the guitar, and has anyone done a cutaway version of this design?

I'm looking forward to the advice. Thanks, Mick

I've built using those plans and they are very thorough. You will build a successful guitar from them. As you build more guitars you will develop certain opinions which may guide you to make certain changes, but until then, just get started!

The only advice that I'd really offer is to wait until you have a bridge with saddle to put into place (doesn't have to be glued int yet) before you finalize your neck angle fine tuning. You want to have your bridge saddle height set to the target zone and set the neck to that, not the other way around.

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

I've built a couple. I'm playing one these days and really like it. Just remember it's a small guitar and try not to over build/thickness the top. And what Doug said about the neck angle I find holds true for most all builds.

Good Luck and post a few pics.

Danny

I made a cutaway from these plans and it turned out great. I drew the cutaway to a shape that I felt complimented the pickguard lines and ended up falling in love with the shape as a whole. I didn’t deviate much from the bracing so I can’t offer much advice there but the sound hole braces seem really tall. . . The only bit of advice I can offer that may help is to beware of the string spacing at the saddle. I didn’t bother to notice that the measurements on the drawing made the string spacing too wide for the under saddle transducer I had intended to use. The plan was in metric and the transducer measurement was in imperial and I failed to double check until it was too late.

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

I built a Florentine cutaway from those plans and the guitar plays rich and loud, it's such a great size to pick and play anytime, the plans imo are superb and highly recommended.

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http://www.bobmatthewsguitars.co.uk

I would like to thank all that have responded. It's really appreciated.

Mick